Saying "Yes"
When asked about how I got started in cycling, I almost always get a response of something along the lines of “oh wow, so you kind of just fell into it.” Yes, yes I did. I mean yes, I did end up working really hard to get to the professional level, but I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to work hard as a cyclist if I’d not initially said yes to joining a friend to a local meet-the-team ride. It was at that ride at the end of 2018 that my journey as a cyclist was born. I was asked to join the team and basically thought “sure, why not” and did my first race in February of 2019 and I was hooked.
I’ve been reflecting on this a lot lately. And not just specifically toward cycling. Most of my opportunities and incredible life experiences have resulted from me saying “yes”. I’ve gone scuba diving, paragliding, nearly sky diving (still on the bucket list after being cancelled due to forest fire smoke), and have traveled a ton. Yes, I am incredibly fortunate to have been able to do these things. I also know there are a lot of people who get stuck in a routine or certain way of living and are sometimes afraid or apprehensive of saying “yes” to a new adventure. This can be as small as saying “yes” to grabbing a coffee with someone who reaches out to connect, or saying “yes” to a bike ride with some friends. Trying new things not only has the high chance of enhancing your life, but it also broadens your perspective.
A few weekends ago, I was invited to a bear hunting camp. I have been surrounded by people who hunt for most of my life, but I’ve never been into it. I don’t want to get all political here, but I have been quite opposed to guns and haven’t been one who generally supports hunting. But… I said yes. And man did I get to experience something cool.
We were in Hells Canyon National Park, which is an area I can’t tell you how many times I’ve passed by while heading to the Boise area from Moscow. Each time, I had no idea what I was missing up there. It was breathtaking.
I wasn’t upset to not witness a bear being shot and killed, though I know it was kind of the purpose of the trip, but we did get to see a mama bear and her cubs (which are illegal to hunt) so we got to admire them from afar. Boy were they cute!
Doing this provided me a different perspective to something I was initially so opposed to. I gained much more respect for hunting, more specifically those who do it respectfully and legally and I also gained some amazing memories.
Coming away from this trip, I couldn’t help but reflect. I feel the world today is so divided and unwilling to understand different perspectives. I will be the first to say I had a lot of negative and judgemental thoughts around hunting before going on this trip, but actually being out there and experiencing it opened my eyes and broadened my perspective hugely. I guess this is all to say, I wish people could be more open to trying new things without prejudice and THEN come to an opinion. Myself included.
I haven’t necessarily always said yes to invites and opportunities. Having an eating disorder made me become a no person pretty easily, and for a long time. I wouldn’t go out with friends or go on trips because I wasn’t going to be in control of what food I’d have nor would I be able to do whatever exercise I was planning on doing. I was very rigid and no one could interrupt my training schedule or “diet.” It was a very lonely time and I lost a lot of friends and potential memories to saying no and from being so rigid.
During this now 6 months of fully focusing on recovering from REDs I’ve rediscovered my more spontaneous side. I’ve been less at the mercy of my rigidity and more open to new experiences. I’m so much more flexible and free with regard to food; it doesn’t control me. I can go out to eat with friends (multiple times a week even!) and grab ice cream randomly during the week. I can go on a multi day camping trip not knowing what food will be there and also knowing I won’t be going to the gym or getting some kind of exercise in during those days. Past me wouldn’t have even considered saying yes to these kinds of things.
This isn’t to say I haven’t struggled during this journey. It definitely hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows. I’d say 85% of my days I am still fighting myself in some way, big or small.. whether it be body image or not being able to fully listen to my body and give it what it needs. But man is it nice to feel more free to be social and adventurous. I’ve gone fly fishing a few times and have plans to go more. I’ve celebrated birthday’s and gone to BBQs. I’ve connected more with people than I have in the last 10 years combined, it seems. It’s been a breath of fresh air and things are only getting better.
Oh, Veronica! I have every expectation that you will be roundly flamed for your tolerance of sport hunting! Personally, I’m not a hunter (in fact, I support the right to arm bears!) but I have a lot of friends who are… who do it legally and rationally, and without high powered rifles. In fact, most are bow hunters.
However, I’m relatively sure that you will have someone or many who will chide you for supporting people who “kill innocent animals for their egos”, without understanding the husbandry of hunting. Good luck!
Beautiful