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Hi my sunshiney ones!
I just got home from a spin class, a statement I can’t believe I’m making after swearing off spin following classes at Fly Wheel and Soul Cycle circa 2008-2010, back when they were the hottest thing since sliced bread in NYC.
I didn’t want to go to the class to be honest.
But it was a first date with a friend of a friend of a friend (ha!) who recently moved to Amsterdam from the U.S. and she was really excited about the class, so I said, I guess I’ll give it a go! Why not?
I’m shocked and happy to report that I actually had a fab time :o
Biggest difference between this experience and the experiences that made me swear off spin (and really any group HIIT class)?
Valuing self-compassion and truth over perfectionism and maximalism.
And the mindfulness muscle that enables me to honor that value.
Historically, when an instructor said, “set your intensity between 6 and 12,” I heard “set your intensity at 11 or 12.” How my body felt and having fun didn’t matter as much as doing the absolute most. Why would I ever do less than I could physically handle? That’d be a waste.
At the time, I couldn’t see my role in making the class a stressful, grinding, dreadful experience. It was always the class’s and the instructor’s fault: the competitive energy, the loud music, the instructor’s motivational screaming. Yuck.
Fast forward to this morning, my goal for the class was to listen to and move my body, meet a new friend, be entertained, and have fun. When the instructor said, “set your intensity between 6 and 12,” I heard “set your intensity at 6 or 7.”
I redefined success and I had so much fun.
So what in the world does this have to do with the newest episode of The Path Less Traveled?
This very special episode is a conversation with Dani Cruz, my former colleague, mentor, and role model, and now very close friend, who has evolved in so many ways since I first met her, in large part because of the way she redefined success for herself.
Redefining success freed her to follow her less traveled path.
Dani is an expert community builder, a wonderful ceramicist, a phenomenal marketer, and above all, a beautiful soul.
I’m so excited for you to eavesdrop on this conversation. I really forgot we were recording while it happened, so it’s about as close to one of our private conversations as you can get ;) Enjoy!
Oh, one last thing. I put a lot of effort into recording and editing these episodes. If you benefit, your support would mean a lot in return.
Here are the best ways you can show your support:
Share with one or two friends who may enjoy the episode (also one of my favorite ways of letting a friend know I’m thinking of them)
DM/email me or leave a comment with requests for future guests or solo episodes
DM/email me or leave a comment with reactions
Subscribe on Apply or Spotify, and leave a rating :)
I’m eternally grateful for your openness to explore these less traveled paths with me, and I hope you feel proud of yourself for doing so. It takes courage.
Have a lovely weekend!
Big squeeze,
Syd
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