When you recognize that failing doesn't make you a failure, you give yourself permission to try all sorts of things.

Perfect preparation doesn’t exist. Excellent adaptation does.

Fear is gradually replaced by excitement and a simple desire to see what you can do on the day.

We can't expect to effectively move forward with half the population carrying sandbags.

Sometimes we push ourselves. We take a workout and we use it as a way to crack open our shell, let the pain rush in and push out the stagnant wounds of the heart. Sometimes a workout sets you free.

My sport has transformed my body to be powerful for a specific task over years of training and competition. The more tuned for competition I am, the less "feminine" I look, and it has made me feel powerful on the track but self-conscious in the sack. That transformed for me as I let go of feminine ideals of all kinds, in work, parenting, etc.

When you're a dreamer, heart break and failure come with the territory, but I can tell you it's worth it, because it's a way of living that is both moving and memorable.