It’s Never Too Late

I turned 50 last year.

Yes, I admit it, 50 years old. Its a surprise to me that I’m admitting my age in of all places the world wide web. But, there you go.

It’s never too late to surprise yourself.

I was worried and hopeful about 50. Worried because my belief about 50 was: OLD. And hopeful because, it sounds corny, but Oprah said its awesome in your 50s. And she’s right.

I studied and became a certified life coach at 50. I was working on becoming a coach for a few years prior, but I completed my training and got certified and made it “official” at 50.

It’s never too late to achieve a dream.

Last week, I attended 2 retreats, back to back. One was for Rowdy’s (that’s what the women who participate in The Art of Self Coaching classes are called). And the 2nd retreat was for certified life coaches from The Life Coach School. Both of these retreats included coaching, working on our goals, connection, compassion, high adventure and friendship. I thought I knew what to expect. I was pretty sure I’d be challenged on these retreats. But, I couldn’t imagine how much.

I wanted to learn and grow. I worried about making it through. I was afraid I wouldn’t connect with anyone (even the ones I already knew). My intention for both retreats was to survive. That sounds so silly to me now.

I completed two (2) ropes courses in 3 days time. The courses I completed were 35′ off the ground and higher. I climbed up a 55′ structure by myself and then gleefully belayed down. I took a leap of faith and missed the trapeze I was reaching for – but it was ok.

I accepted a challenge and in spite of my arms feeling like they would give out, I successfully climbed a wobbly rope ladder and goose-walked across double cables with boards interspersed along the way. All while trusting a fantastic friend and partner named Lizzie. To say I was frightened is an understatement. One of the things I learned was that looking forward toward your goal will help you get there easier than obsessing about how to take the next step.

This is Lizzie leading me across the wires.

 

 

 

 

 

It’s never too late to see a new way.

Then, two days later, I let go of a long-held belief I had that in order to be successful, I need to control every aspect of my life. This was while crossing a single cable with a strong and capable partner and fellow coach named Suyin. On this challenge, Suyin and I had to work together to make it from one 2×4 to the next and then from one dangling rope to the next in order to reach the other side. It was not possible to do this challenge alone. It didn’t look possible to do it at all from the ground. I found out, that even though it was terrifying, I can achieve things I’ve never thought possible. And I don’t have to do it with force or will power. I can let go of negative thoughts and trust myself and others to get me where I want to go.

It’s never too late to transform your beliefs.

This is what it looked like from below.  Me on the left, Suyin on the right leading the way.

 

 

 

 

 

It’s pretty difficult to describe what it was like and what it feels like now after succeeding at these. I saw myself in a whole new way while I was up there. I learned things I couldn’t have imagined learning beforehand. I am still learning about myself and seeing correlations in my life every day. It’s an experience I’ll never forget.

Even if it’s not a ropes course or a physical challenge, I recommend that you try something that scares you or that you believe is impossible at least once in your life. When you do, I’d love to hear what you learn about yourself.

Because it’s never too late.

 

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Tagged as: 50, change, coach, grow, Katie McClain, Katie McClain Life Coach, learn, love, thoughts