I took an extended (read: waaayyyy lonnng) break from writing blogs last year to do some [quiet-private-solo] self-examination-soul-searching in terms of my professional and personal “path in life”.
Professionally, some great things happened in 2017. Some highlights include:
- I continued my work as an independent contractor for eNRG Performance out of the Flatirons Running store (now owned by Runners Roost) in Boulder. I was fortunate to meet so many unique coaches and athletes and conduct physiology testing services, as well as continue growth of my clientele base.
- Due to the sale of Flatirons Running to Runners Roost (and other related changes), I moved the testing equipment to REVO Physiotherapy and Sports Performance at the end of 2017 so that I could continue offering testing services. The owners of REVO are superb at what they do and what they offer to the Boulder area community. There is no facility like this!
- I got my “crewing fix” at the Leadville 100 MTB race and the infamous Tour de Geants (Italy). As I have mentioned before, crewing is no easy job if you do it right. I was also happy as a clam to volunteer at the local Boulder 70.3 and 140.6 Ironman races. Observing athletes out "in the field" is always helpful and sometimes, I get to provide some quickie advice to those in need.
- I was a panelist with Ben Greenfield at the Nutritional Therapy Association’s annual conference. [I’ve followed him since he started in the industry - interesting dude in person as I expected]. I was also a guest on some great podcasts and starting working on a big “project” with a colleague of mine on the West Coast (still ongoing work!).
- I got two chapters published in the Human Kinetics book “Cycling Science”, an incredibly thorough resource on all things cycling. The contributors to this book are well-respected in the field of sport science and all things in the nerdy-cycling world.
- I got to work an all women’s cycling camp in northern California with my coaching friend, uber athlete, and major pace-setter for women’s cycling, Jill Gass. Getting to spend a little time with legendary Robin Farina and Ina Teutenberg was super fun while supporting the diverse group of female cyclists was wonderfully fulfilling.
- Perhaps the biggest highlight was joining forces with Meredith Atwood to develop one-of-a-kind group nutrition education through our Optimal Thrive programs. This has been one of the most rewarding and fun professional endeavors in a long while!
An exciting personal "hobby revival" was bringing back guitar-playing into my life. Waaay back in the day, I hacked around in a college alternative music band playing rhythm guitar. Sadly, I left that part of my life alone for a good 20 years. Then with a sudden alignment of friends and circumstances, I found myself jammin’ with four other gals in a new band and absolutely loving this outlet. Music heals, ya know. And so does having friends to enjoy the life journey with!
Bringing the axes out of the closet.
Meanwhile, that soul searching thang was going on. We can do that throughout our lives, right?
Athletically, I dabbled in trail running, road running, hiking, and got back into swimming (after a 4-year break). I even got a taste of fly fishing, which totally piqued my curiosity!
Not sure which is cuter, the trout or my fly fishing guide
Backpacking in the Indian Peaks of Colorado
I had planned to participate in a handful of races, but some medical/health issues took over the front burner of priorities. I’m not prepared to share all those deets just yet in this forum. Honestly, it’s complicated, difficult to explain, and I'm still trying to figure it all out.
What it comes down to, for me at this moment, is that I am still passionate about my work and excited for more work opportunities to come. There is the “ebb and flow” in all of us who work in a science-based field that is constantly changing and evolving. As an entrepreneur, there is an extra layer of momentum that can be scary, hairy, and daring. Sometimes this is the “Getting In Our Own Way” behavior and we have to learn how to focus, or re-focus, on the life and career directions we want to pursue. Not on all the daily hubbub in social media craziness world or the clutter in our brains that wants to get in our way.
So, although 2017 is long gone, my soul-searching self is thriving right now. My athlete self is in maintenance mode right now, but bound to have new adventures and challenges in the future. As for my Sport Dietitian self… well, my values are only growing stronger each day. My rewards for propelling athletes’ health and performance make every day a beautiful and grateful day.
Thanks for reading,
Dina