I have never been a natural athlete. In school, I could have written a book entitled, How to Get Out of Gym Class. Until I was nearing 30, I had no interest in sports other than an unfulfilled desire to hike and camp. Despite my inactivity and because of a dreadfully poor diet, I was underweight and chronically ill. One summer, while lying on the couch with a summer cold watching the Olympics, some little spark flashed: I wanted to be healthy and fit. Several of my co-workers were avid gym-goers, and when I surprisingly shared this revelation with them, their first words were, “You can do this, we’ll show you how.”
Fast forward less than five years later…I was a gym rat, mountain biker, martial arts student and, yes, I fulfilled my dream of camping and hiking. Why? How? Because people told me I could do all that and more and, wisely, I believed them.
Some years later, I became hooked on spinning. I’ve followed several of my instructors from gym to gym for more than 10 years now. Why? Because they never fail to remind me at just the right time that I can do anything I put my mind to.
I took up road cycling because of one woman – the wife of the general secretary of the Rotary Foundation, my employer – and in some ways it has changed my life. She apparently saw something in me I did not, and during a brief conversation about the annual Miles to End Polio Century Ride in Tucson, Arizona (a fundraiser for Rotary), she emphatically told me, “You can do this.” Three Century Rides and other distance rides later when that feeling of self-doubt creeps in, I remember those words. These days, I have been blessed to have had new people come into my life who believe in me – my fellow Nona Cycle members. They are patient, encouraging and welcoming; when I clip in and take my place in the pace line, it is always with a mild sense of disbelief and a great deal of gratitude to all those who took the time to share an encouraging word.
The first year I participated in Miles to End Polio, I was named “Top Fundraiser.” Knowing I’ll never see my name at the top of the cycling leaderboard, I reveled in the fact that my fundraising abilities will forever be recognized on the team trophy that sits outside my boss’s office. But the following year, a new spark flashed. In an effort to inspire the team from one of my assigned Rotary districts to raise funds and participate in Miles to End Polio, I enabled them to take top fundraising honors. When their names were announced as the winners, I came to understand why all the people who inspired and believed in me took the time to do so. It feels so darn good to know you played a small role in helping someone achieve what they did not believe possible. While I remain obsessed with becoming a better cyclist, I have found great joy in being the person who tells other people, “If I can do this, so can you.”
Recently, I discovered via Facebook that an acquaintance credited me with inspiring her and her husband to purchase bikes and begin riding with the goal to complete a portion of Miles to End Polio this fall. Recently, I had the opportunity to share with her all I’ve learned in my short time as a road cyclist and, after a two-hour conversation, I realized I was finally able to pay it forward for all those who continue to do the exact same thing for me.
If you happen to be someone who is proficient at any sport, remember who ignited your spark. Pay it forward. And if you are one of those people who believe, “I could never…,” you are wrong. Step out of your comfort zone, walk in to that fitness class, get on that bike…and don’t be surprised when someone who was once just like you says, “You can do this.”
Do you like to cycle or want to learn how? Join the Nona Cycle group for weekly rides: http://nonahood.to/nonacycle.
