Chasing my Dreams!

#153. Recreate the ‘running up the stairs’ scene from the Rocky movie…’in my own way’

As far back as I can remember, Ive often thought about the ‘running up the stairs’ scene from the Rocky movie – and what a powerful scene that is, what a powerful feeling that must be, to run up stairs like that.  I feel the same when I watch people running up stairs, in training.  But, Id never allowed myself to put it on the bucket list, I always left it as a feeling of ‘Wow that must feel fantastic to do that!’, and left it at that, because, really….how can *I* run up stairs like that, its just one of those things I will never experience…until now.

Thats pure POWER, right there!

Late October, 2012, I was at  home, with the television on in the background, as noise while I was busy getting myself ready for my day.  Something made me turn to the television to watch it, just as a man was being interviewed, who was undertaking an epic challenge, of running up and down an epic amount of stairs, multiple times.

And that was it, that oh so familiar spark inside me flickered on…I *was* going to achieve this…in my own way.  I wanted to get out there, right there and then, and do it, in the way that I had instantly thought of.  Unfortunately my body was still crying with the pain from my gym workout the day before, so I was unable to get out there and do it…but this fired me up even more…I WAS going to achieve this, by the end of the day, once my pain had subsided. I was so excited!

Mid afternoon, I ‘checked in’ with my body…ooooh…no pain, it had subsided…I ws going to get out there and DO this…yay! 😀

Excitedly, and filled with focus, I got in the car, and headed down to Maroochydore beach, where I knew there was a staircase (albeit a very small one, but still a staircase) – I had climbed up and down this a number of times, to access the beach when I had gone beach training – but I had never attempted to climb up or down it on my own.  But, I knew nothing could stop me, I knew i had the confidence to at least attempt this. 

I got out of the car, grabbed one crutch out (yes I was going to be brave enough to attempt this with one crutch – I had never attempted walking outside of the gym before on my own, not since I started getting back up on my feet, 17yrs after using my wheelchair).  But this was the day it was going to happen.  Oooh….a bit nervous, it felt very strange not to have anyone beside me….but I was VERY focussed and determined to do it. 

I got to the edge of the staircase and looked down – yes it may have only been 6 stairs, but it felt, and looked, like ‘Rockys staircase’ to me, in my mind (got to love the magic of having a visual mind lol).  Slowly I eased up into a standing position, at the edge of that staircase, grabbed hold of the handrail with one hand, crutch in the other, and started stepping down…very slowly..I couldnt risk injuring myself this close to my Fundraiser Event!  

My ‘Rocky staircase’

I achieved the first ‘going down, then back up again’ of these stairs, and I felt SO powerful…the whole time I was doing it, I was picturing Rocky running up that staircase.  This was only a tiny staircase, and I was going at a snails pace…but, I was achieving this, ‘in my own way’.  I managed to do about 10x ‘up and downs’ before I started to tire…thats 10x 6 steps each way – 120 steps! Wow..  As I was stepping up and down, I focussed in on Rocky and that scene, and I imagined (again, in my own way), that this may have been the feeling that he had, the feeling of powerful achievement, and pushing his body to do this, on those outdoor stairs…just like I was. 

I did it…I re-created the ‘Rocky’ scene – the only thing I didnt do was, at the top, raise my hands up in victory…haha…but, in my mind, I was doing this!

Absolutely priceless moment!

ANYTHING is Possible…when you use your mind, to not just feel, but to BE, powerful!

#149. Be a guest host/panellist on radio – any time of the day/night

Some opportunities just fall literally on your lap, some dreams dont have to be ‘chased’ – and this was one of those times – totally surprised and amazed how this came about! 🙂

On October 10, I was at home, not knowing which way to turn next, when it came to continuing to organise for my Fundraiser Event to be held on Friday November 2nd.  I was having one of those “OMG I just dont know what to do next, this is all a little overwhelming” days, when the phone rang.  Something sparked inside of me, even before I answered the call, ‘somehow’ I knew that this was going to be something great, something which would turn my whole day around.  And I was right!

My ‘wipeout buddy’ Sharon from my Disabled Surfing experience I ticked off the list earlier in the year (she was on the board with me, when I fell off and went underwater) was on the phone – she had a surprise for me.  I was invited into the Zinc FM/Hot 91FM studios to take part in a segment called ‘Secret Womens Business’, with herself, Kate, and Laurie Atlas, the radio announcer, to tick this off of my List.  Wow! 😀

Excitedly, I headed down to the studios, not knowing what was ahead of me, but SO looking forward to the experience.  Ever since I was a little girl, I had dreamed of one day being on radio – and this was my chance!  (this was totally different to my recent interview on Noosa Community Radio – that experience was basically rehearsed, and I knew exactly what I was going to say/be asked….this was different, this was just chatting away with the others who were in the segment with me, as if we were sitting around on the couch, chatting).  I spent a lot of time in hospitals when I was growing up, with various surgeries, treatments etc for my disabilities – one of the main hospitals I spent this time in (Waikato Hospital, in Hamilton NZ) had a hospital Radio “Tonic Time” – a lot of my time in the ward was spent listening to this radio station – this is where my ‘dream’ was born, to one day do what these people were doing, and be on radio.  And now its happening! 

With Kate and Sharon, the other “Secret Womens Business’ girls – SO much fun!

I was taken into the studios, introduced to Kate, and re-introduced to Laurie (who I had met recently, when Sharon took me for a tour through the Studios – that was amazing, I love seeing behind the scenes of elements of the entertainment industry, whether this be radio, television, at concerts etc.  I felt similar to when I was on The Circle, and Neighbours earlier in the year – somehow, I felt ‘at home’, I was completely 100% comfortable in this environment.  And this same feeling continued when on-air during the segment.  It really was (as was the feeling when I was on the Couch, with the girls/guest hosts on The Circle) as if I was just chatting with old friends.  We chatted about everything from 50 Shades of Grey, to weird dreams, my bucket list, motor racing, fashion trends, womens body image – chatting about this not just with the two other women, but to chat with, and hear from a mans point of view (Laurie Atlas), about what are ‘womens issues’ made for such a fun, interesting experience!  Beauties and the Beast??  Thorn between 3 Roses?? I only hope that we entertained the listeners who heard us! haha…

With Laurie Atkins, Radio Announcer.
“Thumbs Up” – I must have done a good job..haha..

Before I knew it, the experience was over….’Awww, already? That was SO much fun!’.  But sadly, yes, my experience on radio had come to a close.  I had thoughts of, I would LOVE to do this on a regular basis (but also very grateful for this one experience).  I still have ‘#148. Be a ‘guest host’ on a breakfast radio show’ – so when this comes true for me, I will get my chance again, to experience the fun of being on radio, bantering with the other hosts! 🙂  I didnt want to leave the studio, I was really drawn to it (just like I felt incredibly drawn to, and ‘at home’ in, the Neighbours and The Circle, studios.  Hmmmm maybe this means something may be in my future, to do with this industry? Who knows…but thats the exciting part about the future – you just never know what (or who) is going to appear in it! 🙂

If I hadnt have been brave enough to take the opportunity to go surfing earlier in the year (until I actually arrived at the beach that day, I was still trying to talk myself out of it *which is unlike the ‘me, now’ who doesnt say No to experiences in front of me, in life*, I was SO nervous about doing it), I wouldnt have met Sharon….and so this radio opportunity wouldnt have come about in the brilliant way that it did.  The surprise element of it, and the fact that someone wanted to help me tick something off of my List, was an amazing feeling.  This is the very reason why Im a huge believer in grasping opportunities wherever and whenever you can…its lke the ‘domino effect’, one opportunity can lead to another..and another, and more doors open, with the people you meet, and things you experience in life.  Its amazing how it works! 🙂

Anything is Possible…when you grasp opportunities!