Change

As I sit on the train to Ashford to meet my teammates Ellie and Brogan to start our first full season as a skeleton athlete I am wondering how, in less than 12 months, my life has turned upside down. 

It didn't happen by accident. I've gone from a content exercise physiologist living in Edinburgh doing some athletics to an athlete on arguably, one of the most successful talent programmes in the worlds aiming for the Olympics in 7 years. Along the way, at every step I've had to make decisions, weigh up options and consider what I want out of life. And it's led me here. Tomorrow I'll be on a plane to Riga, Latvia for a ice push camp. From there I'll go to Lillehammer, Norway for a further three weeks sliding. Basically from now until March I will be a full time athlete travelling the world. From April I'll be a centralised British skeleton athlete living in Bath. Commitment, big time. 

Change will happen to all of us many times throughout our lifestyle. But I thought I'd try to address, using my recent experience how best to cope and thrive from change. 

Don't let an opportunity pass you by
When I first applied for power2podium I didn't have the faintest idea that I would end up where I have i.e a successful applicant. Nor did I worry what if?  The opportunity presented itself and I grabbed it. Simple. Don't miss out because you've ummed and ahhed over whether or not to take a chance and put your neck on the line. Deal with the how later. 

Have no fear of rejection 
The power2podium process was like X factor. No joke. I'm watching X factor now and every week it serves to remind me of how much I wanted to make the next phase of testing. And how deselection would be crushing. Don't be afraid of failure. Fear of rejection should never stop you going for something. Every attempt is an opportunity for feedback and improvement. And you might even be successful! 

Bite the bullet 
There will come a point where you have to commit to something you may not have envisioned committing to. You may have to put this first and something else second. This is the scary part. For me, prior to going out on ice for the first time I had a lot of doubt as to whether or not skeleton could/would be for me. But instead of shying away from the decision I sought advice from professionals and people I trusted. They helped me to realise that yes I wanted the journey and the experience wherever it took me. I would not be happy living out a 9-5 job but wanted adventure and something exciting and extraordinary. So talk to people, it helps saying things out loud and having friends agree and vocalise support. 

Prepare
Do understand the challenge ahead and identify any potential speed bumps that might try to trip you up and allow the self doubt back in. I knew that relaxation and down time would be vital for me to stay sane when away. However relaxing is not one of my strengths. So I found people to advise me, box ticked. Be honest with people regarding expected outcomes or requirements that you may require. I've always been very upfront with work for example about when I needed time off and how this might shape my future. Basically prepare so that you're in control of this challenge where possible. 

Give it 100%
When push comes to shove and there's nothing left but to do whatever it is you want to do give it 100%. 
This is where I maybe could learn from past experiences. For almost 12 months I split my energies between my work and skeleton. Obviously financial elements were influential here but I know I didn't give either interests 100%. Now I am taking a career break I am confident that I can move better than last year and maximise the year to expose (hopefully) my potential. So whatever it is you want to change; your training regime, your nutrition, your job, your hobby, how you take meetings give it EVERYTHING. Because then you know you tried your best. And that is truly all anyone can do. 

Support network is key
There will be times when whatever your trying to achieve isn't going to plan. Take a deep breathe, put the chair/laptop/phone/mug down (throwing it out the window won't help!) and call someone that can help or take your mind off it. Knowing who to call for different things is really useful. Last year when things were difficult I got on FaceTime and chatted to friends or family. I always felt better for it and was in a better place to go and try again. For example I called friends when I needed to just get away and chat. But I called my dad when I needed some support and motivation. It can also be useful to let people know that you might be calling them in a time of need. That way if they get a call or text they'll know it's important and will (hopefully) prioritise. I also find that you really need to have people apart from yourself that 100% believe in you. As the saying goes, haters gunna hate. So let them. Ensure your network are people that believe in you and want you to succeed. For me, my boyfriend, family, friends and work colleagues all believe that I can take on this challenge and succeed in skeleton. Many of them do not have any solid reason to believe in me; they have never seen me slide, don't know what makes a great slider. But they know me and their support gives me a lot of confidence. 

Perspective
In all likelihood whatever you're trying to do is not going to achieve world peace. If you're having a bad day and are hating on life just remember in the big old grand scheme of things it doesn't matter. Yes it is important to you but by putting your goal in perspective it helps to keep you grounded and balanced. Don't be afraid to take a day off to recharge. I took a weekend off to go and recharge at bestival and I honestly don't think I'd have coped the past few weeks if I hadn't done that. Yes there's some rush and urgency but try not to just become this one change. 

Feel the fear and do it anyway
This is one of my favourite cheesy inspirational quotes that gets thrown around on Instagram... I guess people can see why for me it is particularly relevant. Skeleton is scary. Anyone that says they've never been scared is lying. But making any change can be scary. I like to think that my life will always move forwards, I can't stand the idea of settling or stagnating. Staying in my comfort zone will not get me places I want to go so yes I will be scared at times. I will definitely have nerves in a week when I am at the top of the track in Lillehammer about to take my first run of the season. But it won't stop me putting my helmet on, sled down and pushing off. 

So go on, make that change.     

🌟Feel the fear any do it anyway🌟