Life is all about moments … from the small instances that we don’t think twice about to the larger occurrences where we are thrown outside of our norm. Experiences that test us and push us over the edge. That edge is our comfort zone, and sometimes all we need is a little push. Swallow your fear, gather your courage (it’s already there), and take that leap of faith. Ready or not, it’s happening, and the everyday adventure that we call life is upon us. Before you can tell a story, you have to live it. This is NonaVentures, and this is living for every moment.
Alright guys, brace yourselves … If you have a fear of heights, the adventure I went on this month might not be for you. The photos might induce sweaty palms and nervous sweats, but I promise you it was exhilarating and worth it.
I came across Over the Edge last year when one of my best friends discovered the organization was at the hotel she works at, rappelling down the side of the building. Naturally, having known me for nearly 16 years at the time, she texted me and told me that this was something I’d do. Now, here I am a year later!
Over the Edge supports non-profits by running unique and exciting urban rappelling fundraising events. At the Orlando event, Over the Edge partnered with Mission United, which helps local veterans and supported Heart of Florida United Way.
Those who rappelled at the event had raised at least $1,000 for the non-profit. As soon as I heard this event was coming back to Orlando, I knew I had to do it for NonaVentures. What better way to write about something than to experience it firsthand?
I arrived at Orlando Health’s Orlando Regional Medical Center on the day of the event feeling totally normal. Although it’s not every day that you rappel down the side of a building (unless that’s your job), I was stoked for what lied ahead of me. I signed in at the registration table and met with the professionals to suit me up. Body harness? Check! Helmet? Check! Radio? Check! Gloves? Check! And because it’s me, I had not one but two GoPros to capture this event for you guys. Be sure to check out the NonaVentures video in June!
Anyways … so now that I was suited up, I joined my group and began training. We learned what would be expected of us while rappelling, and the instructor had us hooked up to the same system we would be attached to while suspended to help us get a feel of what to expect. We were taught what to do if our system locked up and what the best method is to rappel smoothly. The instructor also explained that one of the ropes could easily lift and hold a car over the building and that we were attached to two. He stated that the most dangerous thing we’d do that day was already in the past because we got in the car and drove to our current location. Truly a crazy thought.
Next thing I know, we’re done with training and are being led up to the roof. The elevator ride up is where the anticipation kicked in. I was ready to do this. Then, a volunteer popped into the room we were waiting in and asked if there were any singles. I was the only one. It was my turn to rappel. I walked out on the roof and took in the views of downtown Orlando. As one would think, there was a nice breeze that high up. I approached the ledge and looked over. Oh crap, I thought to myself. This’ll be fun!
My gear was checked a final time before I was clipped on to the ropes and sat on the ledge. It was time to go over the edge! Was I ready? I had to be! I was instructed to throw my legs over and step on the first ledge hanging off the side of the building. The instructors were right … that goes against everything that your brain is telling you to do … but that just means you’re breaking the boundaries of your comfort zone. My nerves began to set in a bit – and not because I was suspended off the side of a building at 150 feet but because I was in total control of this situation. Oddly enough, I like not being in control the entire time in experiences like this. Leave it to the pros, am I right?
I’ve been higher up. I’ve experienced more dangerous things. But this … this was in a category of itself because I’ve never done anything like it before. It felt like I was taking a leap of faith, even though I wasn’t leaping, as I climbed over the ledge with my back to the ground. I grabbed hold of the handle I’d use to descend in my left hand and grabbed the rope below my hip in my right. It was time to rappel!
As I began taking my slow steps against the glass windows of the hospital, I began to daydream about all of the movies I’ve seen where people go crashing through the windows. I laughed a bit to myself since I knew that wasn’t going to happen and then began to wonder if anyone was watching on the other side of the window. It was a bit hard to tell, and I was also too focused on trying to rappel correctly.
I caught myself talking to the GoPro mounted on my wrist a portion of the time, mostly consisting of “What the heck am I doing right now?” Although I never did find the sweet spot for easy coasting down the building, I did have a blast. It took me about five minutes to rappel 15 stories, mostly because I couldn’t find the right speed to go. It was also really cool to hear people cheering from the ground, and at one point, I even began to sing the song the DJ was playing. I’m not sure if I was trying to distract myself from my surroundings or just trying to have fun with it – I’d say the latter.
With that said, rappelling was a bit more difficult than I had imagined! About halfway down, my forearm was burning because I was holding the rope and occasionally tugging at it as I came closer and closer to the ground. My arm was still sore three days later! I caught myself taking brief breaks to just hang there and shake out my arm. I took that upon myself to look behind me and take in the views from all directions. It’s a cool perspective and not something you get to do all that often!
My journey scaling ORMC was a bit bumpy, but I felt so empowered once I touched the ground. People were cheering and clapping, and I wanted to do it again! The Over the Edge event raised nearly $100,000 to help veterans, and I’m definitely looking forward to participating in this event again next year.
So, there you have it! I rappelled for the first time down 15 stories and lived to tell the story. I’d definitely encourage you to attend the next Over the Edge event to help support local nonprofits and to take that step outside of your comfort zone! And don’t forget to keep an eye out for the video of this NonaVentures experience on June 1. See you next month!
Taking risks leads to those opportunities that are dying to be discovered. Have an experience that had adrenaline coursing through your soul? Challenge me to live YOUR moment at nicole@nonahoodnews.com or fill out our NonaVentures form at forms.nona.media/nhn-nonaventures.
