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On Sunday, I did something I never thought I’d do . . a Spartan Deka event. It’s a strength event with 10 stations like rowing, sled pushes, burpees, farmer’s carries, box step-overs, and similar and the goal is to complete them as fast as you can. I never would have done it if not for my friend Karen. She asked me, encouraged me, asked me again, and challenged me into signing up with her as a team. Left to my own, I’d probably never have done it. But thanks to her encouragement and her not giving up, I went and had an amazing time!

That’s the joy of having a friend who challenges your boundaries. They see things in you that you might not see in yourself.

Then there’s my friend Steph, who’s my go-to when I want to bounce ideas around. We don’t always see things the same way, and that’s the best part of it. She’ll ask me questions that make me stop and think, and she’s equally open when I return the favor. Our friendship is built on honesty, curiosity, and the willingness to challenge each other.

If we only surround ourselves with people who think just like us, or who always agree with us, then we stay in the same place. It feels comfortable, but it doesn’t help us grow. Growth comes from being asked a new question, seeing from a different perspective, or daring to step beyond what you’re familiar with.

My invitation for you this week is:

• Think of one or two people in your life who stretch you, who help you grow, who challenge your thinking or your boundaries. Take a minute to thank them.
• And then, think of one or two people for whom you play that role. How can you encourage, challenge, or lovingly nudge them forward this week?

We don’t grow in isolation. We grow because of the people who walk next to us – the Karens and the Stephs of our lives – who push, question, and believe in us. And if it’s been too long since you’ve felt challenged to look at things differently, a life coach can help you see new perspectives, break out of old patterns, and discover what’s truly possible for you. I’d love to chat with you! You can contact me here.

And if you’d like to see what I’m up to next, my newly updated website is live, and you can see it by clicking here. I’d love for you to check it out!

Here’s to new beginnings, resilience, and the power of focusing on what we can control.