Olympic Resilience + Getting back in the saddle

Are you feeling Olympic today? Because I am!

Perhaps it’s because: 

• When asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I proudly responded that I wanted to be an Olympic Runner.

• My favorite movie as a kid was Cool Runnings about the Jamaican Bobsled Team.

• My childhood role model throughout was the Olympian Wilma Rudolph. 

Circle and Spoke is about connection over competition and let’s be real — the Olympics are pure hearted, adrenaline fueled competition.  

Nevertheless,I love the Olympics and what can happen when bridges are built through sports:

• The beauty of honoring leaders through allowing them to carry and pass the torch. (see about the journey of the torch!) 

• A chance for perceived foes to become teammates (see LeBron James & Stephen Curry playing on Team USA together) 

• A place to grow and courageously name that in fact you aren’t well and inspire others to tend to their mental health(see Simone Biles and the 2021 Tokyo Olympics) 

• The opportunity to demonstrate getting back in the saddle. 

Getting back in the saddle at the Olympics

On Saturday, it was the women’s time trials in cycling and it was raining. Perhaps you are personally familiar with some of the challenges of riding in the rain, particularly when braking and riding a wet road! 

Rain + Biking —> It’s not the best combo.

In the words of NBC, Saturday was a “Slip ‘N Slide” in Paris. Cyclists were falling left and right and yet, they got back in the saddle after some serious tumbles. 

Now, I’m a true believer in the power of when you fall, take a breath, take a break. 

I can only imagine with qualifying for the next heat of the Olympics and the adrenaline of being on the world’s stage, there was more gas in the tank for these athletes to keep going and literally dive back into the saddle.  

It is awe inspiring and humbling about seeing women fall and get back on the bike. With the sheer desire and determination to keep pedaling. So much of our society, particularly in the world of television, mocks people for falling (think of that 1990s classic, America’s Funniest Home Videos), but I hope you take 90 seconds to see these Olympians’ resilience. 

• What helps you to get back in the saddle when metaphorically the path isn’t in great shape and you’ve fallen?

• Who perhaps is there by your side, like the bike handler, to get you back in gear?

• What’s your finish line that keeps you determined to move forward even if your bruises are quite fresh? 

Sending that Olympic spirit and courage to you!

Wheels up, 

Ellen