5 Lies and 5 Truths

While the title is a play on "Two Truths and a Lie" (something I know people use for getting to know you activity in school) this is more of a personal post, with a few educational bits.

It's amazing how many times I can be wrong in a short period of time...and what's worse is that I had to prove myself wrong. Its difficult enough when someone challenges your beliefs, but it is so much worse when you have to challenge your own beliefs. But that is one of the most powerful ways that we grow, so in hindsight I am so glad and proud I proved myself wrong.

As the title of this post suggests, there were 5 lies I was telling myself before I walked into the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas. This was the site of Tony Robbins' Unleash the Power Within (UPW) Dallas 2019. I did not know much of Tony Robbins before I walked in, and if I am being honest, it wasn't my idea to attend. I was open-minded though, I walked in with 2 notebooks, 3 pens, a refillable water bottle and I dressed in layers just like anything I read about UPW suggested. I was greeted by an army of black t-shirt wearing "crew" members wielding high fives and ear-to-ear grins as their weapons. "Why are these people so happy?" I asked myself...I would figure it out in about 16 hours time. We made our way to our seats and quickly figured out that there was limited cell service and no WiFi...What the F*@&?!?!? How can there be no WiFi?!?!? After about an hour of waiting, some more soldiers of the Tony Robbins army joined us in the arena. They walked on stage as loud, upbeat music started to play. Guess what their weapon was? DANCE...yeah choreographed dance and they wanted us to join in. Reluctantly, the first timers/people who were dragged there stood and clapped unenthusiastically, including me. But the people who had attended a UPW before joined into the choreography with such joy! It was kind of cool to see...wait no it wasn't...I didn't really want to be here.

So let's get to the first lie I was telling myself (if you haven't picked up on it already). I told myself that I didn't need/want to be at this event. I went to the event to be supportive. Within a few hours, I noticed that my dancing got a little better and more enthusiastic (I do love to dance) and I was interacting with others in the audience as well as Tony himself. There is a lot of audience participation! I started to listen to what was being presented from two view points, one as an educator and one as a person. There was a lot to learn about Tony's presentation style and skill for educators. Some of my notes were simply about how I could up my game as a lesson presenter. Once that happened, I started to look at what was behind the theatrics and what was actually being said.

Then he started to talk about the Firewalk that was scheduled for midnight. I'm sure you can figure out what a firewalk is just by the name but let me explain anyway. They start a fire and put coals (like the ones you cook with) in the fire. When they are good and hot (1,200-2,000 degrees Fahrenheit ) they create a 12 foot-walkway with grass at the start and finish.

For this event they made 35 of these walkways to make room for approximately 8,000 people to participate. I told myself that there was no way I was going to walk on hot coals. Lie number two! Not only did I walk on the hot coals, I bought a tank top to wear so I could brag about it! It was an amazing experience, one I will never forget! I didn't chicken out at the last second, I didn't get burned, I didn't trip, I walked on f-ing FIRE! We left the venue at around 2am after getting there at 8am. Those were the 16 hours I needed to be all in, and I was just as happy as the crew members who celebrated my victory with me. After the first 16 hours of the seminar, 2 of the lies I told myself became my truths...I wanted to be here and I walked across hot coals willingly and unscathed! I wouldn't find this out until Day 3: Transformation Day, but usually our beliefs are the exact opposite of what the real truth is! They are the lies we tell ourselves. I am not saying that all beliefs are lies, I am talking about limiting beliefs we have of ourselves or others.

Two lies down, three to go. Full disclosure: I am not going to write about all 5, some of them are a little too personal for a blog post, but please know that each of the lies had very powerful truths for me! Lie number 3 needs a little bit of personal background...

I was (am) an athlete. I have played sports since I was able to walk. As a kid I played wiffle ball, kickball, street hockey, basketball, touch football and Wiffle-Kick (I am a proud co-creator of Wiffle-Kick) with the other kids in the neighborhood. The street light coming on was the only time the games would stop. (I may have just dated myself with that reference...oh well). I played organized sports as well, soccer, softball, basketball, volleyball, golf, tennis, really anything. I just enjoyed playing...and I was good! Sports came naturally to me, and I never really had to try. In high school I continued with volleyball, basketball and softball. I was recruited to play basketball and softball at the Division I level, an ultimately picked softball as my sport. My motivation was partially financial and partially for me. I wanted to know that I could compete at the highest level there was for me. And as a female, Division I sports was my next and possibly last step. OK, so lets get to the point...I was always fit. I was always skinny, I was always able pick things up quickly and excel at them. And once I started working out in college, I was really fit. I could eat whatever I wanted and never worried about anything. I never though about my weight or my physical health. Throughout my 20's I continued to work out, coach and play organized sports. And then age 34 hit, and A LOT in my life changed (a blog post for another time) but I also noticed a change in my body. I wasn't fit, I didn't feel fit, I didn't feel good about the look of my body anymore. There was extra in places that never used to have extra on them. I had to buy different clothes... 1 size up, then 2 sizes, then 3 sizes. I eventually hit a pant size that I am embarrassed to say out loud. So I started to work out, and I lost a few inches, but I was/am still not where I want to be. I never fully committed to a program because I didn't feel like I was getting the results I wanted. WTH?! I was an athlete dammit, I should be able to lose the weight quickly. There is its...lie number 3. As an educated and logical woman, I know that I am not going to lose 10 pounds in 3 days, but I wanted the instant gratification to motivate myself to continue to lose all of the weight I wanted to lose. I know that change (of any sort) is not easy. So on the emotionally exhausting Transformation Day, I found my truth for my false belief...CHANGE TAKES PROCESS.

Once I made this realization (I know its not mind-blowing, or new information or shocking) but to me, in this context, it was super important to come to on my own. As I was running on the treadmill in the hotel the next morning (something I haven't done in years) I found myself chanting my truth to myself. I ran a mile and a half without even thinking about it. There wasn't a moment that I wanted to stop, slow down or convince myself that I had enough. I jumped off the treadmill and celebrated my success with a mini-dance party.

While I was on the treadmill my educator brain stopped by for the party and thought of some great ways to incorporate what I had experienced over the past 3 days. What changes do I want to see in myself? In my students? In my colleagues? Each one will have its own process but I am excited to do the work!

So thank you Tony Robbins for the amazing experience at UPW. I have set a reminder in my calendar to apply to be a member in your army....I mean a crew member! I can't wait to attack with a high five and a smile!