Winning in life isn't always about being the best, or the first!

It's about persistence and continuing to push forwards.

Some memories came up in my Facebook feed today and I remembered how much I used to struggle with my physical capabilities compared to others who were stronger and fitter than me - and yet, I won trophies and the respect of my peers and teachers - and made some great memories.

And at the time, I appeared WAY more confident than I actually was.

Let me explain.

I had always wanted adventure! I was a tomboy at heart but I wasn't great at sports. I wasn't good at running or competing against others. In fact, when running, most of the time I came in last!

So - for many, many years, I avoided the humiliation by avoiding participation.

Instead, I took part in activities that I enjoyed but which didn't directly compare me to others. I joined an amateur dramatics group and I rode horses. I did actually participate in some competitions with my horse and have some hilarious stories - but those are for another day.

When I was about 30, I joined a karate group. I have no idea why - I just wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. And I found that I could. It was more about learning self discipline and self defence, rather than competing against others and I loved learning to push myself.

One of the things I loved was discovering that I could do more than I previously thought possible. As I progressed through the belts, other girls dropped out and I was the only girl so I had to work hard to keep up with the guys.

One weekend, we went on an adventure weekend, a 'Spirit' weekend that involved Tai Chi, karate training, and endurance training. We did team-building exercises, boat carrying, running and of course sparring. We did our katas in the cold water of a lake and climbed up cliff edges.

One of the exercises was to climb up a pillar which used to hold a railway bridge. There was a scramble net to assist climbing up so it wasn't difficult. The problem was that, at the time, I had a massive fear of heights. Then the idea was to jump off the pillar into the lake. I think it was about 25ft so a massive, big deal for me! Truth be known, I hung back until last hoping that someone else would choose not to do it, when I planned that I would bail out as well. But nobody did. I didn't want to be the only one - so I began climbing.

By now, everyone else had climbed and jumped and they waited patiently for me. By the time I got to the top of the pillar, fear took over. I couldn't stand up and I sat there - and began hyper-ventilating. I literally couldn't breathe with fear. I heard someone say "she's in trouble - get up there and help her down".

There was no way I was going to be rescued - so I somehow got my breathing under control and got ready to jump. I could hear everyone cheering with encouragement so I just leapt off into the water. When I surfaced, my sparring partner (the guy in the picture of me with my trophy) was there to give me a huge hug.

I will be honest - I didn't feel a rush of achievement. I hated it! And felt traumatised. But later I was glad I pushed myself.

Of course, when we had to run back to camp, I was last in.

Some of the others on this 'Spirit' weekend were amazing. Very fit, amazing warriors, great at fighting, great at climbing, great at running and immensely strong.

Imagine my surprise then when they announced the winner of the 'Spirit Trophy' and it was me!

It was awarded because I overcame more hurdles, pushed myself (even when totally exhausted) and never stopped smiling.

This lesson was a valuable lesson for me - I was a winner! I wasn't first or the best - but I was a winner. And in life, that's what counts.

From this, I gained the confidence to finally join the Territorial Army, which was something I'd always wanted to do - but others told me I couldn't. For the first time in my life, I stopped believing the naysayers when others told me I couldn't do something - and I started believing in myself. For the first time in my life, I was proud to be recognised as a winner.

If you want to be a winner - you can be. The great news is that you don't have to do anything extreme like jumping off a 30ft pillar into a lake - or taking up any form of crazy activities!

If you would like more confidence, in any area of your life, then take action to increase your comfort zone. Contact me, download my e-book or join my Facebook group. 

If you want to know more about having more adventures, fun and success in your life, building your confidence and becoming UNSTOPPABLE, download my free E-Book here.

And – if YOU want to come and hike the Inca Trail with me, then you can find out all the details here.

Go on! Dare Yourself!

#Atrévete!