What freezing on a mountain taught me about growth
|
Hello Reader, The plan? A mountaineering trip to summit a 3,000-meter peak. I was so excited. If you know me, you know I’m no stranger to challenging myself in new ways. Maybe it’s because I grew up with two older brothers who pushed me to be tough. Maybe it’s my wild spirit and love of dreaming. Or maybe it’s just the West Coast bug- where adventure seems to seep into your soul. Whatever it is, off we went. I’m not really an “extreme sports” kind of person, and generally I wouldn’t put hiking in that category. But this trip was next-level. I got to meet the very edge of my aliveness. On day two, I had a full-on meltdown. Something about the altitude, the loose slate slipping under my feet, and the sheer drop-offs on either side- it was just too much. I froze. Pack pressing down on me, clinging to a rock, refusing to move. We all know this feeling. Maybe not on a mountain, but in life. That moment when the next step feels impossible. When your body or mind says nope and locks down. I’ve studied the nervous system for years, but feeling my own body in a deep freeze gave me new insight. Grant, my partner, stayed steady. He didn’t push me. He waited. Encouraged. Offered options until I found my own way forward. It hit me: this is the work I do every day with my clients and students. The rest of the trip didn’t exactly go as planned either. About 100 meters from the top, I gashed my leg on a piece of slate. Grant had to perform emergency first aid right there on the face of the mountain. Then we pressed the SOS button on our InReach device and got picked up by helicopter, because hiking down wasn’t an option. (I do like a little style with my adventures 😅). I’m healing well, and all is okay but wowza, I did not see that one coming. So here’s my nudge for you: Growth happens at our edges. Whatever they look like! And it’s always easier with someone walking beside you. ✨ If you’re ready to explore your next edge, whether that’s building strength, easing pain, or finding more freedom in movement, I’d love to be that steady presence for you. No hiking poles required 😉. Until next time, take very good care. With heart, P.S. I promise no helicopters are involved in my classes, just breath, movement, and space to feel stronger in your own body. **Not sure why you're getting this email** You likely signed up to receive communication from Radiant Effect. Radiant Effect has changed to Wise Moves With Meg. I'm so glad you're here! ia are |
Radiant Effect
Hello Reader,You know, I’ve always been a little bit on the fringe. Growing up, my friends would definitely describe me as the “weird one.” When I was first learning to teach movement, I knew I needed a special kind of teacher. I didn’t fit the mold of what Pilates teachers looked like back then (20 years ago). I didn't really care about my lineage back to Joseph Pilates. I loved nuance and detail but wasn’t interested in perfection. I was a yogini who found spirituality no matter what the...
Hello Reader,I want to tell you a story about a moment from the other day with one of my students. We were moving along, doing an exercise we’ve done a zillion times, when all of a sudden there was a fissure. Something cracked open, and my student stopped, tears in her eyes. "I don’t know what’s happening," she said. "I don’t know why I’m crying." ✨ By the way — this happens all the time. ✨ If you’ve ever cried in a movement class, you are not alone. I’ve been witness to it since my very...
Hello Reader,Your core is more than just muscles coordinating. It’s the centre of your being—the place where you align not only with yourself but also with the world around you. For many, awareness of this place is limited, both physically and spiritually. And if the word spiritual makes you want to hit eject, hold tight. A while back, I shared a newsletter on different types of awareness: intercorporeality, proprioception, exteroception, and interoception. These aren’t “woo” concepts. They...