The joy of blue skies and creating something new...

I'm not massively into promoting and peddling our wares on LinkedIn, however, I thought there was a story worth sharing around this one, the latest event in the Total Sport stable.

We celebrated our 23rd birthday last month - crikey! That means I'm into my 50's nowadays, having started this business on a whim when I was 28. I do believe that we learn by failing, and by trying things that we think (and desperately hope) might work, and I could probably be the poster boy for that campaign!

Reflecting on the past 2+ decades, it's become pretty clear to me the bits I love the most in this business. I love, love, love the process of coming up with a new idea for an event, getting people on board with the concept, and then going through the framing and building phase - getting it to the point where it can be handed onto an Event Manager far more capable than I ever was!!

Now life throws some curve balls from time to time. I'm sure we are all trying our hardest to forget the covid era. For us it became very real when we cancelled our biggest event of the year in March 2020, a mere 5 days out from D-day, and then around a week later we went into lockdown.

As I reflect on that time, I see that it was the possible catalyst for a very rocky next few years for me personally. During that time there was a marriage separation, a teenage family suicide, and the constant and very real feeling that this business was facing possible (maybe probable) extinction.

What happened during this time as these traumatic happenings compounded was that I retreated from pretty much everything - family, friends, work and life. I lost my perspective on all the good things that I had in my life, and dove into a bit of a hole. This isn't intended to be a pity post, but I thought it necessary to paint a bit of a picture. The point being that when hard things happen to us, we all tend to react and deal with these things in different ways. I went underground.

Thankfully at some point the sky started to look blue again from time to time.

Those things that I used to love to do, which were very much a part of my essence and being, I gradually started to do again - like lacing up my running shoes and getting onto some trails to run (slowly!). It was like the fog from the last 2+ years was beginning to lift, and I regained some clarity and perspective. I found joy and contentment instead of despair and resentment, and alongside that I started to find a wee spark for working again. I was very grateful for all of this.

OK, back to the story of creating events... around 8-9 years ago I'd had an idea around exploring a new event concept, a multi-day festival-style event that brought together all of the great things about being outside. We put some energy into that idea and ultimately decided it was financially too risky to pursue. So that idea sat in the "probably never going to happen" event folder, alongside quite a few others that never made it to the start line.

One positive out of covid was that there was a Regional Events Fund created, the purpose of that fund was to reignite and re-engage the events industry, which was one of the hardest hit during covid times. We dusted off the old festival event plan, made a submission to the REF and were awarded some seed funding to get this puppy off the ground. For that I'm immensely grateful to those that believed in Total Sport, and the concept we presented.

I genuinely and 100% believe that the magic happens when we get outside, ideally in nature, being active. Our drug of choice and the product we peddle at Total Sport is off-road/trail running and walking, mountain-biking and multi-sport events. We peddle it well because at Total Sport we as a team are connected in this belief, and we all do this 'stuff' ourselves - it's a vital combination.

We are better versions of ourselves when we commit and make time for ourselves, to get outside and run, walk or ride in nature. Or just be in nature. It's scientifically proven beyond doubt that we gain significant benefits from this.

And there is the theme of the newest Total Sport event, the 3-day Love Taupo Trail Festival, happening in late April next year. There are a whole bunch of participation events - beyond the events it’s about connecting with others (and ourselves) on and off the trails, to make new friends, to catch up with old ones, to capture valuable whanau time, to make new memories, and to celebrate and cherish the magic of the outdoors, and the benefits we get by being outside in nature.

Alongside the pillar participation events, we'll have wellness sessions, inspiring speakers telling their unique stories, great food and craft beer, top notch music and entertainment, retail, and of course a festival party!

I've been really lucky to have been able to put my new-found energy into a project and event that I feel so much passion for, and belief in. When discussing with our very smart General Manager, Dave, a few weeks back, as we were about to launch and open this event, he said (in a nice way) that this festival felt and looked like something that was very personal to me. And he was totally right! It occurred to me that creating successful events, and maybe anything, comes from being a bit vulnerable, being brave and being prepared to put a whole lot of yourself into the work we do.

If you're looking for a great excuse to escape into the outdoors in April next year, in one of the most beautiful places on Earth, Taupo, then consider coming and joining us for the inaugural Love Taupo Trails Festival. You can see more at www.taupotrailfestival.co.nz - or feel free to be in touch with me [email protected]