I offer you the first sneak peak into Far Better, Self Discovery through the Power of Endurance Sports, my book (coming out later this year): 

“Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.” -Theodore Roosevelt 

My local triathlon team adopted “Dare Mighty Things” from Roosevelt’s quotation as our motto in 2017, when I coached and led our largest contingency of athletes yet to the goal of completing Ironman Wisconsin. One of our most charismatic and vocal members suggested the quote, and immediately the team’s co-owner, Kelly, and I agreed that it represented our team perfectly. 

For most of the first timers, in 2017 to “dare mighty things” meant bravely taking on the ominous Ironman race goal, and completing it to the best of their ability. At the time I believed it was the same for me. Since that race, it has personally taken on a different meaning: now to “dare mighty”  means cultivating awareness of how I am ever evolving and growing as a human, through the highs and lows of life. It means showing up to hard things– even when seemingly impossible. And it means learning to love people more through seeing, hearing, and knowing both myself and them. I have been able to incorporate the “far better is to dare mighty things” philosophy into my life in order to authentically show up for myself, my goals, and in my relationships. I will never arrive at perfection, but I do sincerely try to be present every single day in my one big, beautiful, messy life.

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That’s a little piece from the introduction. Hopefully I have left you on the edge of your seats (insert laughing emoji). In all seriousness, writing this book has fulfilled a long time dream of mine and I will be honored and thankful for each person who decides to read it. 

For today, a little more on what Daring Mighty means (and doesn’t mean) to me: 

Daring Mighty means courageously showing up to what I need and believe, even when it is really hard. To know WHY and to do my best to consistently follow through, while having grace for myself when I make mistakes. 

Daring Mighty is to do things scared. 

Daring Mighty means to remain open, grounded, vulnerable, and curious daily.

Daring Mighty is to consider how my thoughts and actions impact others. To live in truth and love, rather than behind an armor of people pleasing.  

Daring Mighty is to live out my values in a culture that pushes striving, distraction, consumerism, doubt, distrust, optimization, opposition, and allusive finish lines (among other things). 

Daring Mighty is realizing I will never arrive at anything. It is embracing the journey, rather than the destination. And it is to be able to boldly share myself and my messages to the world with humility, never with righteousness. To acknowledge and accept my imperfections, and inspire others to do the same. 

To Dare Mighty means to live out a life where the goal is to not chase a constant dangling carrot of more, but to become Far Better at following the nonlinear path of life. To continue to discover myself and how I can show up to love myself and others. To practice believing that I am truly enough. To know that others are enough as well. 

And for me, I Dare Mighty through the power of endurance sports. I apply the lessons I have learned and will continue to learn to my coaching, my writing, my relationships, and to the daily hobby I love.

How are you Daring Mighty? What daily practices ground you to yourself and open to others? What do you do to remind yourself that you are enough in a culture that is constantly telling you otherwise?

Thank you for reading. Sharing this feels very vulnerable to me, and I am beyond thankful to have a place to do so. 

Cheers,

MB