Make Yourself Passionate
For a long time, I thought I was your average gal. I thought that my story was nothing to write home about and instead it was your average tale of your average suburban gal looking to make something of her average self. But over the past few years, unbeknown to me, I took hold of the proverbial reigns and began to make myself. And wouldn’t ya know it…it’s been some of the best years of my life!
That’s why when Nike Women asked me to be a part of their Make Yourself Movement, I was not only honored, but I couldn’t be more excited (enter: squeaaaaaaal). I wanted to share my little story with the world and my two cents on why making yourself passionate was essential to making myself today.
Guilty confession/fun factoid: I was 12 pounds when I was born. Ok…did I get your attention yet? Fantastic! Let’s move on…
Preventing lactic acid build-up since 1985.
As you may have picked-up, I’m a crazy type-A and always have been my entire life. This high-school cheerleader and passionate student was nothing more than a mediocre track athlete for four years. Sprinting? Not my bag, baby. Long distance? Sign this sister up! After finally finding my niche senior year and being introduced to what would later become my passion (‘eh hem: marathons), a hip injury soon left me on the side-lines, causing my love for running to come to a screeching halt. For those who have been injured before, I think you can share the feeling of sheer, overwhelming joy the first time you hop on the treadmill after months of PT and you can finally run a mile again. Every step is an accomplishment and every pain free mile is something to write home about. At this very moment, you realize what an amazing gift a functioning body is and you vow to never forget it.
Throughout the college years, I envied people who knew what they wanted to do with their lives. You, Mr. Doctor, I applaud you for being so driven and decisive. You, Mrs. Engineer, bravo for going after what you love. Me? I had no idea what I wanted to do. A few career counselors and Myers-Briggs tests later, I was more confused than ever. Rather than pulling a Van Wilder, I decided that I just have to trust my passion. I picked two things that I was good at and decided that while I don’t know if this is what I want to do, I will do it and I will kick ass. No questions asked. Be passionate about everything that you do, and when you are, you will never look back saying woulda-shoulda-coulda.
For the next five years, I looked forward and never stopped. I studied like crazy. I held internships at a hospital, at an ad agency and at Rolling Stone. I dabbled in triathlons. I earned my B.A. in Journalism and B.S. in Marketing, Magna Cum Laude. I met the man that I am going to marry. And I began to realize all that being active can do.
One of my first-ever triathlons. Holla!
But everything came to a screeching halt when the economy took a turn for the worse: how is a college graduate supposed to find a job with some of the worst unemployment rates of all time (wait, I’m pretty sure this is a Alexis Bledel movie)? Application and application later, I was losing hope when fortunately, I found a job at a start-up in San Francisco. With minimal options, this born and raised Nevadan made the jump to the Bay Area.
Small town girl working in a big city…ahhh…quintessential story, no? While it may be one you’ve heard before, it’s also a story that comes with all of stereotypical detractors and motivators. Scared shitless and unhappy, I made an rash decision to quit the job I had worked so hard to find without any other back-up jobs aligned. For four months, yes, four months I spent 10 hours a day on job boards, networking and doing everything I could imagine to land my dream gig while Brian Williams reported unemployment sob stories from around the country. However, amidst the unemployment tears was a silver lining: hello long lost friend, Mr. Running. Can we call this the rebirth? Yes, yes, let’s do so.
With the extra time on my hands I began to regain a passion for running and what it meant to have endorphines wipe all of my unemployed stress away…even just for an hour. As my passion for running was rekindled, I found a job that better suited who I was and I’m still at this job today.
Along with a steady income comes one specific running perk: races! And let me tell you, I spend more each month on races than I do clothing, but every damn mile, medal and awkwardly fitting shirt is worth it, because this my friend, is what I’m passionate about.
From that moment on, I have truly lived the motto: work hard, play harder. Everything that you want – job, PRs, goals – won’t just float your way on some dainty little butterfly. Hell no. You better be prepared to WORK for it. But when you’re passionate about what you’re working for, it doesn’t feel like work at all. Instead, it becomes a source of happiness that you couldn’t imagine living without. Over the past two years, I’ve grown to recognize that passion is the driving force of all that I do, the reason I smile everyday, and why I feel that I’ve made myself…thus far.
Focused on one small goal at a time, my passion propelled me to check off items on my bucket list. Finish a half marathon under two hours? Check. Run a marathon? Check. Run a marathon under four hours? Check. Qualify for the Boston Marathon? Check. Running is my passion and reminds me why I do what I do, everyday.
It reminds you why the tears are worth all the pain.
It reminds you why the sweat’s salt tastes so good.
It reminds you why dead toenails are the sexiest pedicure you’ve ever seen.
Make yourself passionate and see what you can accomplish. I dare you.
loooove it. so awesome, and i am so honored to be a part of all of this (running, boston, nike women, etc) with you!!
Love, love, love this! I can feel your passion for life in this post!
Page you inspire me. Your story makes me yearn for a passion again. I’m 52 and I don’t
Know if it is age, life or complexity of living that can drain one of passion. It just seems to slip away more often then one might like to see.
Embrace and enjoy it. Always remember to fuel it. Reading your blogs rekindle what has always
been in me but buried and dormant for somtime. Keep up the inspiring blog.
P.S. You make me laugh! Thanks
Love. Thank you. I seriously needed this. From the injury to the job aspect you hit the nail on the head and these are exactly the things I am struggling with right now…THANK YOU
PS~ You are so darn photogenic!!
What an inspiring post! I needed this as I get back to training.
What a great post! I didn’t realize you were from Nevada! I used to live in St. George so I wasn’t far from there… Actually I’m still not. I love that last picture of you running in the rain! Fun!!
So very very cool! You are such an inspiration! I am so glad to have met you!!!! <3
Girlll, these pictures and your story are so inspiring! I completed my 1st half marathon last year and knew I didn’t have a marathon in me, so I started training for my first tri – and I absolutely love it. Looking forward to following your story!
Great story, this should be required reading for anyone who wants some motivation!
I thought this was a great quote:
“Everything that you want – job, PRs, goals – won’t just float your way on some dainty little butterfly. Hell no. You better be prepared to WORK for it. But when you’re passionate about what you’re working for, it doesn’t feel like work at all. Instead, it’s becomes a source of happiness that you couldn’t imagine living without.”
GREAT post! That’s my favorite part too. It is work. And the work won’t always be easy or fun, but it will be worth it, if it’s something you really want.
Great post and congrats on getting chosen.
Inspirational. The perfect read for someone trying to find a new path. Thank you!
im inspired!
This was a great post. I’m honored to be included in the Nike Women Make Yourself group with awesome people like yourself!
these are great pics! I love your passion. So glad you found your way into the tri world too! Yippee!
LC
Exactly what I need! I’m currently nannying as I prepare to take my personal trainer test for the 5th time. Yes 5th time…I’m not a good test taker…could ya tell? But I was obese for 23 years of my life and I now want to help others to get healthy! Also I was training for a half and had a minor injury and will start training again in a couple of weeks. Its a dream of mine to be a runner! So a nice blog about ones passion reminds me amidst the studying and the realization that starting running again is going to be tough that these two things are what I want most so THANKS!
Page, this is an awesome post. Amazing work and I love your inspiring words. I feel the same way about running and competing in ANYTHING. Good luck with Boston training and I will be out there cheering for you!
This post is awesome. I’m so glad you linked to it!
Awe, thank you so much.
What an inspiring story!!!! You are awesome and I’m thankful to have read this post!
I just found your blog today through something that was retweeted. I’m going through something similar right now where I’m not happy with my current job, and to make matters worse, I wasn’t too happy with running either. Your enthusiasm is infectious (that’s a good thing, really) and it just really inspiring, so all that to say thank you for this post, I can totally relate.
Just discovered your blog – oh happy day!
Haha! Dead toenails are dead sexy!! I really enjoyed your story!
Just found your blog, needed to read this post so bad! Great motivation!
This is such a fantastic post! So glad that I found your blog! Your an inspiration lady – can’t wait to keep reading