A CHALLENGE AND MUCH MORE! - by Alison Blackler
Have you ever experienced a moment when you get that feeling that you could do things differently, or that something has to change?
Or you want to change, or there's something exciting out there but you're not quite sure what it is, but it's there. It's a feeling inside of you, almost like you're on a precipice and about to jump, not quite knowing where you're jumping but knowing you want to. You might have a range of emotions or even feel a bit scared.
For me, I can give you an example of when that happened, and it was when I went to a book launch of all things. I'm sitting in the audience and I'm listening to Louise Minchin when she's launching her fabulous book called Fearless (which if you've not read, I highly recommend it). And I'm listening to Louise and all the incredible women featured in the book. I suddenly got that feeling. I felt I could do something exciting, exhilarating, scary. I had that feeling deep inside.
I didn't know what it was, didn't know what to do with it, in fact I didn't do anything with it right there and then, but that feeling stayed with me long after the book launch. I thought about it afterwards and wondered what it was about a book launch that created that sense of needing to change, wanting to do something else, wanting to step off and make that big leap.
And I've come to the conclusion that it wasn't just the book launch or the speeches or even indeed the book although it is full of inspirational stories. It was the energy. It was in that room at the time, the energy that lay behind the stories and the reason for sharing them, the energy hearing other women take on board challenges and having to dig deep, having to develop strategies that took them to a higher place that enabled them to explore their potential in that exciting way.
It excited me personally but also professionally, because that's what I help people do. I help people who are stuck, and they may have that feeling inside that they want something different. But they don’t know why or how.
So back to my story, I left that book launch feeling inspired because I wanted to do something but what interests me the most is that you never really know when you are going to get that call to do something. Sometimes we come across something or someone and we need to hear what they've got to say.
And I needed to hear what those women at the book launch had to say. And then, bizarrely, this is what happened, once that need had been ignited inside of me, I listen and became curious. It wasn't going to quieten down; it wasn't going to go away.
And a couple of weeks later, when I got the opportunity to talk to one of those inspiring ladies and record a podcast episode, she mentioned she was doing the Yorkshire three peaks challenge with a group. That was it. That was what I needed to do. I found myself signing up for the challenge, with people who had done some incredible things – we had Caroline Bramwell, a triathlete who had a stoma and Lucy Gossage, 14 times iron woman champion, as well as Louise Minchin herself.
And there was I, part of their gang. When we recognise that there's a flame, a glimmer, a spark of something inside of us, trusting, and allowing it to take a hold, can be transformative.
Now don't get me wrong, climbing the three peaks hasn't completely transformed my life, But oh my goodness, what it has added to it.
Walking the Yorkshire 3 Peaks
I was pushing myself out of my comfort zone embarking on this challenge. To qualify you have to walk all 3 mountains, 24 miles in 12 hours. I hadn’t done anything as adventurous before and I was confident that I had the right mindset.
I turned up to a pre-challenge talk on night before. I had gone on my own but this seemed to be part of the challenge. I knew that I wanted to do this challenge and made a choice to still do it without a friend or a group! Everyone was really friendly, and I love meeting new people so I kept reminding myself that it would be fine.
There was no turning back, I had done the first step which was getting there and I had taken action on my flame to do something.
Taking part in this event to raise money for charity turned into something I wasn’t necessarily expecting. Pushing myself physically and signing up because I thought that I wanted to be part of a challenge. What happened was brilliant. I got to spend the day and the challenge with some of the most incredible women who I can now call my friends. I have been fortunate to have not had any major illness but walking with people who had been through something that can be life changing was special. Listening to their stories about their treatment and recovery just spurred me on at difficult times. The charity we were raising money for is Move Against Cancer and it advocates how movement is so powerful.
I can honestly say that being part of this day was a pinnacle moment in my life. It showed me that we all have more in the tank just when you want to give up. It shows that connection and encouragement from others can pull you along and it shows you that pushing out of your comfort zone takes you to another place.
Hi I’m Alison. I am the Founder of 2minds
“Who I am is a Mind Coach, Author, Podcast Host and Public Speaker.
What I love to do it help people and businesses see themselves through a different lens.”
“ I have studied the human mind and behaviour for 30 years now and have embarked on a self development journey over a similar amount of time.I like to talk about the reality of finding your truth and your authentic self, which in itself is a marathon.”
You can find Alison on Instagram, Facebook, and on her website, and listen to her podcast here.
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