Roller Derby + my fear of flying and a Trip to Seattle

Believe it or not, I signed up for roller derby this past fall.  I know, I know I don't quite look like your typical roller girl but I have always LOVED breaking the rules of conformity and proving I can do something new.

I'm not sure why I did it, it was just one of those things you feel compelled to do so I went with it.  Not knowing how to skate definitely put an extra challenge in there for me!  The first week I strapped on my skates and pretty much walked around on them full of fear for the whole practice and I thought I can do this!  Then the next week I learned we needed to do much more than just get around on them.  Then the heat was on.  I had to dig deep inside me and drop all my ego of looking like a flying chicken on skates as I jetted around, and swooshed my arms in the air going whoa...whoa...

Each week it got easier and I got better as I gained the feeling and elation of completing something totally new, outside my box and with no familiar surroundings to cling to.  One day I fell while doing what is basically a body check drill and that's when I got my wakeup call!  I hurt my tailbone so badly, I couldn't pick up my kids for a few weeks after and it took along time to heal.  Thats when I had to say to myself, OK Kelly you've proved your strength, ability and willingness to new challenges now its time to move on.  I don't believe I ever wanted to be a roller girl, although I did LOVE wearing the fun,  funky outfits, skirts, little shirts and cool tights.  I just wanted to challenge myself.

So when my next challenge rolled around (no pun intended) I was ready for it!  We belong to an amazing online learning community for photographers called CreativeLive you can find them at www.creativelive.com .   How it works is each time a new upcoming class is announced everyone has the opportunity to apply and do a video to say why you would like to join the live audience and they only pick 6 people out of sometimes hundreds that apply.  My mom said we need to do a video for you Kelly, I just have a feeling your going to get picked!  So we whipped up a video as quick as could be and sure enough her instincts were right (as usual) and I was picked!

Now came my next challenge, flying has never been my favorite thing to do and I certainly had never done it on my OWN!  So it was time to again, focus on the positive amazing experience at my hands and dig deep down where all the uncertainly lies right in the core of myself and face this head on.  I have to admit I was nervous but I focused on the excitement of it all.  Before I knew it I was up in the air flying all alone, I had a great seat neighbour who kept to himself, and didn't fall asleep or drool on me.

When I landed in Seattle I had to realize another first for me.  Traveling alone, I am just not used to that.  I have been blessed my whole life to have great people surround me that are willing to go with me anywhere my heart desires.  This time of course my mom (bestie and business partner) had to stay home to get her Laser eye surgery done (more on that from her in an upcoming post!).



I got to the CreativeLive set and it was magical really.  Well maybe just through a photographers eyes.  There was creative people all around me, beautiful imagery and the staff are just amazing!  They made me feel at home when I was thousands of miles away.  We filmed with Sandy Puc for 3 whole days.  We did a complete run down from business, to marketing to life balance.   She has such an amazingly infectious happy spirit you can't help but be joyous with her, grateful for your life and she lets you know its ok to shed a few tears of joy or sorrow now and then.

I also got to see and go up the Seattle Space Needle, enjoy some amazing food, a comedy night out with the girls and evening an early morning trip to the local market.  Thats what I call a balanced life!

I look forward to everything the future brings for me, my mom and our fantastic crazy lives with MAK Studios.  A great big Thank you to our clients who make it all possible and my awesome new extended family (AKA fellow CreativeLive students and Sandy Puc & Brandon of course!) :)

Cheers!