I met her first on a podcast, and then ordered her book,"A Beautiful Work in Progress" Mirna Valerio. She is my new role model of what is possible; no matter the type of body you have. While she is on the high end of the spectrum, she makes it possible for the rest of us to be placed somewhere on the line.
Below is a great introduction to her!
What I believe stops so many of us, is that we don't look like we should be biker, hiker, runner, ultra etc. And, think we have to look the part before we can do it.
I LOVE that she is shattering the image that too many of us have and replacing it with her bold, unapologizing, badass, powerful self.
We all need to adjust our image of what powerful, badass and athletic looks like.
While I plodded along during the Great Bear Chase or while pedaling during the Copperman, I felt totally out of place amidst the strong, "in shape" athletes, and at the same time, that I was representing those of us who love to move; but don't look the part.
To be out there even though societally we are not supposed to be.
She is out there breaking down barriers on a way Ultra scale going far beyond the expectations of many.
She is giving those of us who don't look the part, permission to be there TOO.
In her book, she wrote about taking Selfies when you go out and move. I totally agree! I do this almost always. It is to continually post that we can.
We can move.
We can also press our own boundaries.
We can bike a little farther, we can hiker longer, snowshoe further, etc.
And, bit by bit, we become stronger, empowered and included in the fun activities our bodies are capable of doing.
She has raised the ceiling to infinity of what we can do - IF we erase the old image of what athletic looks like.
And, we can change the images, by posting each time we are out there moving, enjoying, pushing, and challenging ourselves.
Let's change what powerful looks like!
