My last episode of the year is a conversation to remind you every finish line is just another start line. Super excited about how this episode turned out and the walls my friend Robert Garcia let down to be a part of the #FacingFearPodcast. Robert and I met through work right as he was on the cusp of quite the come up professionally. But he didn't do it overnight. For someone who constantly wears his resting (we'll call it) business face, I'm honored Robert shares his journey from climbing the retail ladder, finding the silver lining in his divorce and reaching for massive goals including the #BostonMarathon.
Enter the 1,000 Plays Giveaway by leaving a review on this podcast before December 25 to win a Little Viper. Listen for details!
Connect with the host on Instagram @facingfearwithsara or with the guest @robertmmg_0011, visit www.saramcinerney.com to bring the Facing Fear workshop to your organization and leave a review below!
My last episode of the year is a conversation to remind you every finish line is just another start line. Super excited about how this episode turned out and the walls my friend Robert Garcia let down to be a part of the #FacingFearPodcast. Robert and I met through work right as he was on the cusp of quite the come up professionally. But he didn't do it overnight. For someone who constantly wears his resting (we'll call it) business face, I'm honored Robert shares his journey from climbing the retail ladder, finding the silver lining in his divorce and reaching for massive goals including the #BostonMarathon.
Enter the 1,000 Plays Giveaway by leaving a review on this podcast before December 25 to win a Little Viper. Listen for details!
Connect with the host on Instagram @facingfearwithsara or with the guest @robertmmg_0011, visit www.saramcinerney.com to bring the Facing Fear workshop to your organization and leave a review below!
spk_0: 0:00
This is the last episode of Season one of the facing Fear podcast. I can't believe I already have a tiny chapter in this wonderful journey, and I think it's the perfect time to close this chapter because we're approaching a New year, a new decade, and I am taking a little break. So stick around throughout this entire episode because there's a lot of important information, obviously, including this badass guest. There is a giveaway for you. I'll announce the date when I'm returning for season two. There's some bloopers in here, and I speak to the title of this episode at the end of our interview because I think it's something important to touch on. Every finish line is just another start line. Hello there were listening to facing fear with me. Sarah McInerney on this podcast, I talked to individuals who have stared down their fears and are living unapologetically authentic lives and defining success on their own terms. We are here to share vulnerable stories, get riel and motivate you to think about your own fears and how to conquer them. So let's get started
spk_1: 1:24
from Hutchins, Kansas, 35 years old. I currently work for the finish line. I am the regional vice president of the Southeast.
spk_0: 1:32
Tell us a little bit about who you were when you were younger.
spk_1: 1:35
You know, I came from very disciplined family with my mom and my dad. For those of you who don't know, I'm Hispanic, Very disciplined families.
spk_0: 1:43
Where are you? In the lineup again.
spk_1: 1:45
Second oldest. Okay, second. So, middle, child. Uh, 2nd 2nd oldest of four.
spk_0: 1:49
Okay, Yeah. I want a four to,
spk_1: 1:51
um, I have an older brother that's two years older than me younger brother. That's two years younger than me and a younger sister. That's four years younger than me.
spk_0: 1:58
My gosh. Where the upset? We have three girls and one boy
spk_1: 2:00
outside of that. I mean, just high expectations for my parents all around. You know, you're expected to get good grades. You're expected to do extra work chores around the house, all that stuff. So I think it was instilled in me in a young age to just go after things. And so
spk_0: 2:13
your parents, So you said they're very disciplined and kind of strict. Was that all the way down the line afore? Because in my experience, I'm the oldest, So I was never allowed to go outside the lines or get in trouble or anything because I did. Everybody else would. And then as I got older, um, the rules started lightning for everybody else. Like nobody helped out of all the shits. What was that? Like it for you wherever they pretty equal.
spk_1: 2:35
I think it was the opposite for us because I had We had three boys and a girl. The girl was the youngest. So the girl got away with everything and the three boys had to do everything.
spk_0: 2:45
Okay, so I know one of your passions a soccer. So how has that sport kind of affected your life for the better or for worse, sir,
spk_1: 2:51
Done a lot for me. I mean, it paved the way through through college for me, with scholarships and relationships that I built with coaches and teammates and through my youth, in it at a competitive levels. Well, I just met a lot of different people, have the ability to travel of the United States and even go overseas to play. Soccer has just been a blessing for me in a lot of different ways. It's been an avenue to get away from school, get away from issues, problems that we go through at Young Ages and just for your mind. And just go have fun with something that you're passionate about. Enjoy doing.
spk_0: 3:21
I have that same experience and I feel like when I was in high school, whatever organization or government agency ran like that anti drug campaign where they talked about like, Oh, don't do drugs, go to something else. Soccer was my anti drug like I was the oldest of four. Towards the end of my high school years, my parents were going through a separation and it was just a lot. We were very lucky in that. We lived a mile away from my elementary school and the elementary school owned like the soccer fields, were at the high school, practiced so I would go grab my headphones at the time like those thick iPods had a blue on and go kick the soccer ball around, juggle by myself, shoot by myself and it was just such a good release. And I've let go of soccer for a lot of years because I've torn a C L twice now and so I just think it's not worth it for me to get back into. But the other day at work I was just, like, really frustrated and I was supposed to or I was working out after work. So I had workout clothes with me. But I had time over lunch, and so I went into our gym and just kick the ball against the wall, and it was like the greatest anger relief ever. So did you kind of experience in that same? So
spk_1: 4:25
get a ball and you go outside in the backyard and
spk_0: 4:27
bright. But I loved being alone.
spk_1: 4:29
So juggle passed ball. Kick it against the wall. Like you said, I mean, work on crafty moves and things like that. I mean, it's just it's such an outlet. I
spk_0: 4:36
think the little Viper giveaway is still going on. Reminder. Little Viper is a wearable published three that is perfect for all Solo adventurous. You need to have an extra layer of protection when you're by yourself wandering the wonderful, beautiful world we live in. So how can you win from now until December 25th? Leave a review at the bottom of this show, and I will choose one person at random to win their very own little viper. So from now until December 25th lever review for this show, and I'll choose one person to win their very own little viper. Okay, so fun. Fact on crafty moves My parents never grounded us, ever. It was just like you followed the rules. And if you did it, you gotta harsh talking to. And they were like, We trust you go back out in the world, do whatever which was. But one time I did get grounded. No idea what for? I was at the point where I could drive and I wasn't a lot of drive anywhere. So I was stuck at home and was in the summer. And I taught myself how to do the flip throw because I was grounded aboard. And then it was great because I came back senior year, and that's what I did for my high school team. And it was really fun. And
spk_1: 5:43
growing up, I didn't know very many people that could do flip, throw. Yeah, Every once in a while we come across it in a game and everybody just being all
spk_0: 5:49
right, even if they like, majorly fucked it up and went four feet first. Like, amazing.
spk_1: 5:56
Like many young kids, I had high expectations and ambitions coming out high school that I wanted to go D one, just through financial reasons, decided to end up going to junior college first. That went to a small four year in a I school in Kansas called me first in college,
spk_0: 6:12
and my high school team was a lot of fun, But it was a lot of fun, meaning that people were more trying to get out of drills and actually do them. Um and so that's why I love club because it was like the serious of the serious. But we also had fun. But it was like you showed up the You're not early, you're late. And if you're late, you're dead on. So we took it super seriously every time. And what were you thinking? Like we're next steps after college.
spk_1: 6:38
To be honest, I didn't really know what next steps would be, you know, was on the fence on what I really wanted to do until I entered into the four year business degrees. So then I wasn't still wasn't sure what I was gonna do but I was more living in the moment and just I wanted to try to take soccer as far as I could, so I was very passionate about that all the way through. I don't think it really hit home for me that I need Thio really figure out what I wanted to do till soccer season's over My senior year I was ah, captain in my junior college and I was a captain at the four year colleges. Well, okay,
spk_0: 7:11
I know you was, like, pretty humble, and I wouldn't call you shy, but I don't feel like you are, like, the 1st 1 to be like I'm in the room. What's up? How have you liked gained your leadership skills from that approach? Um, I off. Do you think that, like, what do you think about it? I would agree with your
spk_1: 7:27
perception professionally right now. Yeah. I think professionally that I come across this shy and quiet, I think. But I'm or listening and developing what I want to say and how I want it to come across because on the backside of that, there's the opposite of me. Those that have known me when I was growing up in high school and in college with sports that I'm just gonna be very direct and come out you one way or another and you're going to get my point across and you're gonna know And you know, that's one thing to do that in sports. It's another thing to do that in the business world, and it can come across in the wrong way. And I think I've really as an individual grown in that aspect because young in my career with finish line when I was a store manager, I would be very direct with people. And, you know, you learn very quickly that people don't necessarily respond the best of that way. In the business world, when you're trying to lead people business goals rather than athletic goals or winning a game of some sort,
spk_0: 8:20
I think a good insight to you is that you're listening and thinking like Step 273 because I asked him to do this podcast was like always send me some questions and I was like, Yeah, for sure, that's totally normal And then he's sitting in front of me with notes and like everything printed out, and this is a podcast by me. It is not like a super famous person, or I'm paying him to do this or anything and just goes to show that you are on 100% when you want something. Okay, So I want to ask because I've been a really good motivation for me and, you know, help at times and stuff. So what was your first impression of meeting me?
spk_1: 8:52
I remember the first time that we met was when we had hosted our bowling event in Denver, Colorado. And you know, I think you just kind of know when you meet somebody through the course of conversation, if you have things in common, you can keep your attention. In the conversation. I felt like you and I just kind of hit it off. And we had a lot of commonalities.
spk_0: 9:10
I have a terrible memory that's gonna come back in my later life. I do. You remember meeting you there, but I didn't think that was the head of in the first time we met because my first impression of when we met was at an annual meeting. So that sucks. I forgot Loves wasn't in fact, your questions
spk_1: 9:29
I was trying to remember to
spk_0: 9:30
know you're the 100% right for sure. But, you know, you were leading your whole district and you were in, like, business mode. And Carol was like, go over there and put up a poster. And I was like, OK, great. This is the best job ever. We had easy conversation. We didn't bullshit about the weather Or how you got here by fly like, yeah, no shit that, you know, a lot of people, you kind of me. And it's just, like, so boring. So sorry. But if people know me, you know, I don't like small talk, and I'm i overshare, which I think allows people to open up a little bit. Talk about that rise from your heart is an associate, right?
spk_1: 10:02
I did,
spk_0: 10:03
too. Now he's a regional vice president. And your climb for especially how young you are pretty significant office through a little bit of that.
spk_1: 10:10
Well, thank you for that. I just drive to go out and accomplish goals. So because I went when I was in junior college, I was in small towns for far away from malls, didn't really have a job then And then when I came back to the four year, I was more in a centralized location where there was a mall on, I was just working part time to make some cash. So I had enough to go through the season when soccer was in session. So it worked out on and I was a sales associate all the way until soccer ended my seat senior year on. Then I got asked to becoming assistant manager. And then when I graduated college in May of 2006 I decided two months later is gonna move to Denver, Colorado. Um, I just wanted to move to a bigger, bigger city, so I just started up and go, and I didn't really have a time. I didn't have any intentions of necessarily staying with finish line, but it just worked out, and I became a store manager there. I was a store manager and in Denver for 4.5 years. Then I got asked to relocate to Memphis, Tennessee, which I did in 2010 some good mentor conversations with Bill Cook and Charlie Harrison, who were good professional mentors with me as well as friends. Andre helped get me through those 2.5 years and Charlie, and it actually ended up calling me 2.5 years later and making an offer me for me to become a district manager and moved back to Denver, Colorado surgeons.
spk_0: 11:29
What else could you ask? Right? Hey, guys, quick break. Here we are on season one Episode nine of the Facing Fear podcast. And I think this is a great time in the year to pause and reflect on all of the love and support and listens and comments that I've gotten so I can build up Season two to be even better. So with that being said, I am going to take a break until Monday, January 6th. Until then, I hope you enjoy your holiday season and go back and listen to some of the episodes you maybe haven't gotten the chance to yet. You won't want to miss these first few guests, and especially what's coming up in Season two,
spk_1: 12:07
the district manager in Colorado for just over six years. And then I was just recently promoted to regional vice president a little over a year ago led me to Atlanta, Georgia.
spk_0: 12:17
Yeah, that's awesome. I think a lot of people perceive you, especially if you've been to an annual meeting that we used to have. Is this guy's up there racking up the awards like It's nothing but yet walks off the stage with maybe 1/2 smile when people see you, They probably think like, fearless like, gets everything he goes for, never struggles and has the key, keen and cool complexities. How have you face fear in your career?
spk_1: 12:40
Full transparency. I'm not the person that's show a lot of emotion, necessarily. You know, it's I would like to say that my circle was very small and that when you do know me, you get to know the real me, and you will see faces and emotions out of me that you wouldn't necessarily see otherwise, just like I spoke about earlier, around the difference between my emotions as an athlete. My emotions as a professional leader is the same way, because I quickly had to learn thinking from a team aspect when I was a store manager. No one achieves anything by themselves. You know, my success is not because solely because of me, and I learned that kind of the hard way early on in my career because I would try to do everything myself and kind of have this. I could do it without you mentality, And I learned quickly that that was not gonna help me be successful or help other people be successful.
spk_0: 13:26
Eventually, it'll drown.
spk_1: 13:27
A big fear of mine is failure, along with letting people down there, they're family or close friends because with small circle, I don't ever want to let anybody down in building those relationships. I'm always fearful that I'm gonna let the people that are close to me other people that have gone to bat for me down.
spk_0: 13:42
Robert is somebody that I like to keep around me because he's a great example of You're the average of What is it? The five people around You are the five people you spend the most time with, or whatever again, we don't spend a ton of time together. Ironically, it's like literally zilch throughout the year. He runs 9000 miles a week, so that brings up my average. But how did you get into running? And you know, I consider myself above average athlete, but you're like a psycho path runner. So how did you get into running? And what motivates you? Because,
spk_1: 14:09
well, there's kind of a double sites decided story of this. The first story is, um, I had an injury playing soccer because I was still playing
spk_0: 14:17
side story. How you played semi professionally, right?
spk_1: 14:20
A little bit indoor.
spk_0: 14:21
Yeah. So humble brag here.
spk_1: 14:24
But at the time, I was having some neck issues in some vertebrates in my neck, and I went to the doctor was causing pain down my left side of my arm, causing it to go to sleep. I ended up having to get a couple injections through my neck and go to physical therapy for six months, which is really the only thing I could do at the time was run in a straight line. I'm gonna go run a mile, turn in two miles, turned in three miles, and it never really escalated past that because I was like, Soon as I'm healthy again, I'll be able to start playing soccer again. But then come full circle. You know, I'm getting a little bit older. The body doesn't heal as quickly as it used to. Her bounce back after you go play soccer three or four nights a week and you're running spectra miles. So within the last couple years I've made the decision that I no longer play soccer anymore on and I just fully committed to my career and to running. But running is a big passion of mine on and I think where it really connected for me was and I guess this will be me opening up to everybody that listens to this is I went through a divorce four years in May and when the divorce initially happened I was just in a really bad spot and I wouldn't say I was suicidal or anything, but I was depressed obviously and I would still do my job. I would still go to work and do everything I was supposed to be doing. But something inside me just didn't feel like I was doing what I was supposed to be doing. I felt like I was going through the motions and the only time that I didn't feel that way for I would say a solid eight months was when I would go run and that's when running really hit home for me and it was it was my saving grace there for a good eight months.
spk_0: 15:58
Thank you for sharing what you did, because I think that a lot of people get led into stuff like that where you're like Melissa expert. I'll just keep going through the motions and the wheel will keep turning. And eventually, I think that is when serious mental health issues come in or you can't hand you. Then you figure out you can't handle it alone because you know something worse happens or you absolutely just break down. Finding an outlet that's just for you. That and you. Like we said, running is kind of a solo adventure, something to consider.
spk_1: 16:26
I mean, I think it's all about what you do in those moments when you're challenged in adversity or tough situations, it's, you know, are you gonna hunker down and and do what needs to be done to get through it or you're gonna feel sorry for yourself? Let the situation fully consume you.
spk_0: 16:43
Who do you look up to, like, Whose motivation for you or who's a support?
spk_1: 16:47
My circle being small. I've got obviously my family. First and foremost, I've got nieces and nephews have got to two nephews and three nieces. You know, my grandparent's on both sides of my family is still alive, so I call home every Sunday and talkto Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, and just check in, See how things were going. Since I'm really the only only person in my family that's far away. The majority of my family is still in Kansas and catching up with them every Sunday. It's something I look forward to, and I think they look forward to it, too. Then I try to go home as often as I can, but being in the retail world, it makes it tough
spk_0: 17:22
back to running. When was the first time that you were like I'm gonna make this a sport?
spk_1: 17:26
I was always anti race person. Honestly, Zoe's like, Why would I go pay somebody to let me run when I could just go outside and run? I was like, I'm never gonna pay to go run a race. And then, luckily enough, Brooks Rep that comes into our stores. Then she was like, You should totally run a race and she's like, I'll give you free sign up to the Denver rock n roll half marathon. I was like, Okay, well, if you're gonna let me give you get a free Intriago running, that's really all it took because then I ran the race and the competitive juices were flowing. And
spk_0: 17:56
so the first time you race wasn't a five k tank. The half marathon? Yeah. Did you train for it by yourself?
spk_1: 18:01
Yeah, I did.
spk_0: 18:02
Did you follow anything?
spk_1: 18:03
I didn't at the time. I was just like, Okay, it was maybe, like, two months before the race. And I was like, I'll just go out and run, you know, every day and try to get ready for this race.
spk_0: 18:13
Yeah, I The first half marathon I did was Geist, which is here in Indianapolis, and I trained with a friend from work, and the indie miniseries has a five K a 10 k. And then no way. Five K five miles, 10 k six miles. What the hell's a 10 mile run? 15 k? Yeah. Okay. Thank you. Running math. So we did all those and check those off. That's an intimidating hill. That was That was your first kill. What did you think? Did you like it? It was tough. It was definitely challenging did you walk at all?
spk_1: 18:44
I didn't. Nice, But it was one of the tougher things that I've ever gone through. And I didn't know, you know, I had, I guess, the endurance or the mentality to go accomplish something like that. And once I did it, I was just like, Okay, I'm gonna keep doing this.
spk_0: 18:59
What gives you a high in those running races?
spk_1: 19:02
I think the race I've learned. You know, I saw a lot to learn about this. I mean, I consider myself a very recreational runner Still. My
spk_0: 19:09
God, don't look at this guy's instagram. Everyone, if you think he's recreational, you'll be sad about your own life.
spk_1: 19:17
Because I just look at all that. You know, I call a lot of people on Instagram They're runners and see the times they're posting. And I'm just like, Okay, I'm not at that level.
spk_0: 19:23
Yeah, you're
spk_1: 19:24
always comparing exactly Oh,
spk_0: 19:26
good thing and bad thing.
spk_1: 19:27
Yeah, the preparation is what gets me I mean, the discipline to stick to. Now I will run my third marathon this weekend. I've gone through now 3 12 weeks cycles to prepare for marathons. You know, when you put anywhere from 6 to 800 miles, or Maurin those training. So and then I think the race just is is the isn't in the end all be all because every finish line is just a gateway to another start line, in my opinion, because you everybody talks about this runner's high. And it's true, because as soon as you cross that finish line and you get that metal and it doesn't matter how cold or how hot it is after the race is done, you just you want to know what's next. And so you talked to you, all the other running around. What you doing next? What are you doing next? You're just looking for that ex high.
spk_0: 20:13
The high for me and races comes at the beginning when you're in that huge corral and then your crowds one of like 12 and they're playing the music really loud. It's just so fascinating to me that everybody around me has come to the same place, same location, same time to do the same thing. And I took up every time before I start running and I'm like, Okay, you gotta go.
spk_1: 20:35
One thing that gives me goose bumps every time is when the net they play the national anthem, and I know that I'm about to start running after that. I love running. I mean, it keeps me fit. It keeps me in shape. It allows me to compartmentalize a lot of things when I'm out there and disconnect from everything and just enjoy. And I think the race is just add a goal. I guess my end all be all would be. I'd like to qualify for the Boston Marathon or, you know, when you know entry through the raffle process of one of the six major marathons, obviously, Chicago, Boston, London, Tokyo, Berlin I mean, any of those would be fun. I've not had the luxury of winning any of those raffles just yet, but we'll see what
spk_0: 21:18
happens. Boston has to be faster than New York, right?
spk_1: 21:21
It's actually opposite. Funny enough.
spk_0: 21:23
New York. You have to be faster to get to New York. Then you do Boston
spk_1: 21:26
Times from New York, or faster than
spk_0: 21:28
so what is your advice for people who want to go for an ambitious goal like 1/2 Werfel?
spk_1: 21:34
I think you just have to commit. You have to set some goals. You know, I don't communicate a lot with people around what Michael's are like. If they ask me, I'll tell them to some extent the people that are in my circle. But if somebody that I'm not necessarily I'll be very broad about it because I think it's best to just stay quiet and go pursue it on your own and be disciplined about what your goals are and what your intentions are.
spk_0: 21:56
David, come in That case, then because I'm, like, sit on social media. No, teach their own. Yes. Yeah, I think we're opposites in that. I need people breathing down my back being like you said you were gonna do this. You didn't do it yet. You, on the other hand, are like I'm good on my own circle. Get done. Tell you about it later.
spk_1: 22:13
Yeah. I mean, to be fully honest with you, I didn't I knew I had a goal to sign up for this marathon. And I would tell you that there's probably only 10 or less people to know that I'm here this weekend running this race because
spk_0: 22:24
you got shit to do. You run with headphones or now
spk_1: 22:27
I run with headphones 90% of the time during training and never run with headphones during a race.
spk_0: 22:33
Okay, really? That's crazy. That's the opposite of everybody. Usually they try not to during training, and they're like, Oh, shit, it's the day of the race. I need the extra motivation. Oh, my gosh. Why? What do you listen to when you're on first? I wanna know that
spk_1: 22:47
I listened to a variety of things. One day, one day it could be a podcast. The next day it could be country music. It could be rap music. Be hip hop. I'm all over the place. It's just really depends on the weather outside how my day went and what I'm trying. What? My workout is a speed workout. A distance Work out.
spk_0: 23:04
What's your favorite shooter running?
spk_1: 23:05
I like Pegasus Turbo for an everyday training shoe. My racing shoes vapor fly next. Right now. How
spk_0: 23:10
many shoes do you
spk_1: 23:11
own? To be honest, I really don't know
spk_0: 23:13
how you seriously don't know. I've started. Want to know?
spk_1: 23:16
Yeah. I think the same time. I just You know, I just bring a pair home and put it on. Put it on the pile and keep moving
spk_0: 23:22
along. Okay. Is there anything that we didn't touch on that you wanted to share?
spk_1: 23:26
Going back to what you had mentioned about what? Which people do that air setting some goals, to go out and be ambitious, or run their first marathon or do an Iron Man or do something like that is, you know, do what motivates and inspires you and don't let it. Anybody else criticized you for it because we're all moving at our own pace, and all that matters is that we're all moving forward in a positive direction and what we want to accomplish in our lives. So
spk_0: 23:51
this might be really hard for you, but how would you describe yourself without where you're from and what you d'oh? I think
spk_1: 24:00
I'm a really sincere and genuine person when you really know me, I would I know for a fact, just based off of conversations that I've had with people that know me better now that they would tell me. And I don't mind that when we get in conversations around, how do you view me or how did you view me that I can come across this somebody that has a resting bitch face. Or you know something to that extent and that I'm always look like I'm upset. Or when you don't know me that I'm that direct person and not very, I guess, forthcoming and kind of shy. But I mean, once you know me, I'm really I'm sincere. I'm gonna keep it 100 with you, regardless, You know, if you come to me and ask me for advice or we're having a conversation, I'm gonna give it to you how it is good batter and different. And that could be a positive for me or negative for me because, like I said, sometimes I need to think before I speak. And so that's me. But I'm also living my best life, I think, and I'm not. Don't just say that in a cliche is through my divorce. I learned a lot, and I now there's just a lot of things that I'm not willing to sway on or give up on. And I know what I want to do. And I want to go out and accomplish it. And I'm just looking for growth, and I'm gonna push the envelope to continue to do that and just go out and experience a lot of different things in life, both personally and professionally to try to get where I want to go and do what I want to do. But I also want the people that were close to me to experience it with me and be by my side. And I wanna be by their side to enjoy what they accomplished as well.
spk_0: 25:28
I have the same ambitions that the reason why I do all the things I do and try to go for different goals and start a podcast when I'm already working a ton and have all these other things, too. Like all the stuff stacks up first while I do it for me and for enjoyment like you. Like you said, you gotta want to do it for yourself and not what anybody else thinks, but second of all, to ST, same as you like. I want to bring other people with me, whether you're watching me on social media or you're around me at work or we're in the same friend group and I want you to look at me and be like, Wow, that's really cool. And I want that to turn and face you and be like, Yeah, you could do this to, like, I'm not superwoman at all. And so I very much feel you on that of wanting to live your best life and hopes that what you reflect into the world is other people doing the same cause. It's not impossible.
spk_1: 26:14
Yeah. I mean, at the end of the day, I always want to be known for what I said. My actions speak louder than my words. And then you can always trust what I say that I'm gonna do it.
spk_0: 26:24
I do have a little bonus for this episode, and it's just one tiny little blooper reel. The theme of this podcast is to be authentically you. And that includes the guests. Of course. So I thought I'd share this little piece. I don't want it like I introduced myself. Thank you so much of eggs. Okay. Try again. Like the audience has never met you. Robert. You know what? You're fired. Um, okay. For the first time, a guest gave me the title of this episode. It didn't hit me in the interview when he said it, so I wanted to elaborate on it. Now and reiterate why it's so important to remember that every finish line is just another start line. Everyone is approaching a massive finish line. We're moving on to the 20 twenties. This is the facing fear podcast. So sometimes we have to dig into hard times insecurity or setbacks As we reflect on this decade. Take a second to think of a time when you thought, Oh, this is it. I'll never get over this. I'll never move around it. I'll never get better. Go ahead. I'll give you a moment. What quickly comes to my mind is when I met my finish line in believing that I was invincible right after college I got really into CrossFit. So I was writing this high of Look at me. I can truly do it all. I was walking on my hands around the gym. I was doing round off back. Handspring is like I was nine years old again. In 2016 I tore my A, C, l and Meniscus for a second time in my life. This put a massive, massive wrench into my life. When I had the surgery, I decided to move back to the region northwest Indiana to have the surgery with the original surgeon and original Petey I had so many years ago. They were the bust caretakers on the planet. And after my first a c. L surgery, when I was 18 I went back to normal like nothing had ever happened to me. So I wanted that experience again. Side note. I am interviewing my physical therapist, who, as an expert on Petey from Colombia, look out for him in Season two. His name is Louise Prato. The worst thing that happened to me when I tore my sail for second time at the age of 25 was that it took away my athletic identity. I had prided myself on my ability to be an athlete, to hang with the guys, toe lift, the most weight. And when I lost that I lost so much confidence, it was actually quite earth shattering for me. But I'll fast forward through all of the hard times, physical therapy, all that junk and let you know that this was my finish line with CrossFit. After this injury, I decided along with my PT that it was smart for me not to be lifting these heavyweights PR in a squat, trying to go for 300 on a dead left anymore and that I needed to find something else. D'oh! So in finding new starting lines, I found a love for triathlons. I learned how to swim prior to my second surgery. I have the ability to somehow sign up for 1/2 marathon the night before and go do it the next morning without any training. I did that once, and I ended up P R ing it, but I did not feel good afterwards, So I do not suggest that in this time it took me two years to train for half marathon. When I came back into the 1st 1 after surgery, I learned what patients means. I learned what it means when you're not a natural born athlete and you have to work really hard at something. Although I met my finish line with doing CrossFit in the traditional way, it's done, I learned how to be humble. I scaled a ton of work out, but I became okay with that. I became a lot more confident and secure because I knew I was doing what was good for me, and that's all I needed to do at the end of the day. So why am I telling you about this one finish line with CrossFit? Who cares? There were also some other silver linings that came out of this when I was at my aunt's house. That's where I recovered, doing nothing, not being able to walk or crutch anywhere. I read any book who that was within reach of the chair, that I sat in her living room for weeks, literally anything that was within reach. And one of those was the whole 30 book, and I completed a whole 30 after I moved back after having the surgery. This is a big deal for me because if you know me, I have no willpower. And after I completed the whole 30 I had this feeling of Oh my gosh, I could do this. What else can I d'oh! And that's how I got into the idea of man. Should I get an MBA after a long time of thinking about that and considering it and financially planning for it? I did that and then I completed that MBA this year, and you know it's helped me step up in my career and my life and planning and thinking about what I really want in the future. The other thing that losing my athletic ability for the time being taught me is that I am interested in teaching others. I've spent a long time on the playing field and just a little bit as a coach here and there. But I became interested in wondering if I could coach if I could do more if I could give more in the gym. And so I then got my Level one CrossFit trainer certification in October of 2018 and I'm currently getting my group fitness instructor license. And I'm super excited about both of those things. And I hope to put more of my heart and soul into helping people get fit, whatever that means to them, have fun workout and enjoy themselves in the gym instead of dreading it or outside the gym. So long story short. In this decade, I've learned so much about myself, and I have changed so much, definitely for the better, and I hope that when you look back on this decade, you think about all the positive things. But think about some of those hard things, too, because I know when you're going through them. They sucked. They were the worst. They were unfair. But I bet if you think hard enough, you could think of some silver linings and you would not be where you are now without those hard things. So just remember that with this new decade, every finish line is a new start line. Let us know what you think. By writing a review or dropping a few stars. You can continue the conversation with me at facing fear with sarah at gmail dot com. If you want to bring this podcast toe life, I host a workshop called Facing Fear. You can learn more about that at sarah McNerney dot com. All this information and more is linked in the show notes for easy access.