Lessons from running the NYC Marathon, again

It takes a village!! Thank you to all my family and friends for all the encouragement running the NYC Marathon for the 2nd time in 20 years.??It was one of the most profound experiences ever for me.

For the final mile stretch of this marathon, my entire family began running with me to cheer me on, when I was almost ready to give in, due to the pain in my feet…blisters, swollen ankles, and missing toenails. Ouch.?

I was moved to tears while running with my very animated 17-year-old niece Naomi as she kept cheering “You got this Uncle”.

Here’s a little more history regarding this…

In 2002, when I first ran the marathon, something awakened me to embrace community and play a bigger game than I ever did before. I realized that I was an extrovert at heart and being with growth-minded people fueled me to be better and want to make the world better. Prior to that and post 9/11, I was on a downward spiral with my thoughts and often lack of motivation.

During that marathon, people came together to cheer each other on. New Yorkers came out with tissues and paper towels so runners could blow their noses or wipe their sweat. There were members of the Achilles Club who enabled runners with a disability, like being blind, to be able to run. It was a level of community that was awe-inspiring to me.

Soon after that 2002 marathon, I officially made a decision to leave the corporate world as a technologist and I ventured into new territory studying communication, marketing, social dynamics, leadership, and even the the performing arts studying improv and theatre. This all led me up the path toward becoming an impact entrepreneur.

"Where attention and intention go, energy flows."

I realized that I had so many unique God-given gifts other than just science, math, and engineering. Suddenly countless opportunities showed up and I have been fortunate to have been involved with the launch of several positive community impact-producing initiatives including Metrofly,?NY Powerteam,?NYC Basket Brigade, and?Success Circles.

We have supported dozens of nonprofits over these 2 decades. Next we are feeding thousands of New Yorkers with the?NYC Basket Brigade, Inc.?501C3 providing needy families with Thanksgiving baskets.

I invite you to join us in the assembly and delivery of these Thankgiving baskets next week with the NYC Basket Brigade 501C3 in Westchester, NY. We have an extraordinary team of leaders and it’s a fun way to come together in community, give back and both see and measure impact.

Grateful that I get to bring that level of intentionality and “I’ve got your back” accountability into the world of impact entrepreneurship with Success Circles which I launched months after my niece Naomi’s birth in 2005. Now you know where this all comes from….family.

Running a marathon can be a game-changer if you are open and you are willing to challenge yourself further. As they say here in NYC, “it will move you and it will inspire you.”