Going up a hill and down a mountain

?I arrived at the top of the mountain, heart racing, ready to take my first-ever trip down the ski slope. Excitement surged through me until, suddenly, everything changed.

One second, I was upright. The next, I was airborne.

I crashed into the snow. One ski stuck straight up, still attached to my boot, while the other had completely detached and landed two meters away. My poles, miraculously, remained looped around my wrists, as if they too were stunned by what had just happened.

I sat there, momentarily frozen—both from shock and the cold. My mind raced. What now?

I had two choices:

1. Sit there, I hope someone rescued me, and risk freezing.
2. Figure out how to get back on my feet, retrieve my ski, and make my way down to safety.

The weight of my gear felt unbearable. At the time, I barely weighed 45 kilos, and every movement felt like a battle. But I refused to be defeated.

?? Finally! I was up! A triumph! I felt like I had just won the Olympics. I let out a victorious YES!

For the first time, I took in my surroundings. It was breathtaking—endless, powdery snow glistening under the sky. A moment of peace.

Then, reality hit again. ?How do I get my other ski?

I didn’t allow fear or frustration to creep in. I was in survival mode—focused, determined, ready to problem-solve.

After what felt like forever, I reached my ski, strapped it back on, and steadied myself. I was still alone, gathering my thoughts when—whoosh! A tiny three-year-old zipped past me like a pro. I was impressed. And slightly humbled.

I had another choice to make, give up and take the cable car down or push through and finish what I started.

I knew one thing, for sure—I wasn’t waiting for someone to rescue me.

If skiing down wasn’t an option, I’d find another way. Worst case? I’d walk down that mountain, even if my boots weren’t made for walking.

Fear never crossed my mind.

Business & Life Are No Different

There will be moments when you feel completely out of your depth—when things don’t go as planned, when you fall flat on your face (sometimes literally).

The difference between success and failure isn’t avoiding the fall. It’s what you do after you hit the ground.

Fear clouds judgment. It keeps you stuck. It stops you from seeing the solutions that are right in front of you.

If we let fear take over, we spiral into doubt, hesitation, and mediocrity. But when we trust ourselves—when we get up, shake off the fall, and find a way—we prove what we’re truly capable of.

I reminded myself:

? I always find a way. ? No matter how many times I fall, I will get back up. ? I believe in the outcome, even when I can’t see the path yet.

Oh, and in case you’re wondering… I was 16 years old, brand new to Switzerland, barely understanding my ski group’s language, and had never skied before in my life.

That day, I made it to the cable car station. I had a chance to call it quits. But I didn’t take it. I skied down.

Because that’s what winners do.

Unbeknownst to me I was trying to ski down a red ski slope. For a beginner they sent me to the wrong path.

?????? And today, as a business owner, a mother, and a coach/mentor to my clients, I carry that same mindset. I don’t wait to be rescued. I create solutions.

?? So tell me—where in your life or business do you need to stop waiting and start moving?

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