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Freedom in 5 Feet

It's funny how the smallest events can give huge perspective on life.

Five feet. That's the height of the rock retaining wall at Anaeho'omalu Bay in Waikoloa, Hawaii that wraps around the brackish fish pond that is so yucky, nobody ever goes in it. The beach is right above it, and there is a stone's throw to the ocean if you were to stand on it.

This strip of beach is the site for the finish line of Olympic Distance Lavaman Triathlon, the first triathlon I completed ever in 2008. It's also where my boys and I were setting up to film "The Sandcastle Workout", part of our Big Island Series. This group of 35 workouts for my personal training company Trunk Trainers, is one of the ways we are bringing a little sunshine into the living rooms for our online community who might not be able to go to a gym or who are stuck at home.

Waikoloa is always so windy we've dubbed it Waika-blowa and this day was no exception. It was so windy, that as I was setting my camera up to film, the sheet of paper I wrote the next 4 (really good) workouts on for our series blew out of my backpack and went tumbling over the sand.

Without hesitation I sprinted after it, having only a few seconds before it would blow into the slimy pond across the byway. I have sprinted across that very sand 8 times in the past 13 years for Lavaman races, in that very spot. I was sure I would catch the tumbling paper in time. I always do in times like these.

But I didn't.

I stood there, that bright rectangle floating on top of the green water, five feet down, with my kids building a sandcastle 20 feet away. And I had a choice to make.

I could not just leave the paper in the water. It goes against every fiber in my body to litter. And I needed those workouts. There was nobody around to help. No boat, no pole, no way to get to it.

I decided I had to climb down.



For 13 years we have been coming to this beach and it is well known to stay away from the edge. The rocks were sharp and is was steep. As I descended, there were only so many places to hang on. I had to boulder down, three hand and foot moves to finally get to the water and find a rock to balance on. The paper was floating away deeper so I put my other foot on the bottom and it immediately began to sink in the sediment; a mixture of mud, silt and who knows what other oozing matter. Major balance moment. Core totally engaged. Reach, grab and back to the wall in a moment. 

Workouts in hand I traversed the rock wall, still being mindful not to get completely cut to sheds, bringing myself to a high enough spot for a triceps press up, twist, and plop. Back on top.




It isn't like I wanted to be put through this physical test. I felt despair (yes, even just for having a paper blow into the water), then courage that maybe there was a way to overcome this problem, and commitment to solve it. Then swift action. And pure happiness and satisfaction. The boys never even knew it happened. Which is good, because J would have been the first volunteer and it would have opened up a new set of problems and explorations.

THIS is the entire point of my personal training company. To prepare your body to be able to do whatever it is life throws at you. There is NO WAY I would even considered getting down in that muck over that steep rock wall if I wasn't in shape and didn't HAVE to do it. And there is a systematic process to getting in that kind of shape that works every time.

That is what I teach. Systematic exercise for functional fitness, injury prevention and maxing out potential for LIFE. Because it empowers people to break limits on what they think is physically and mentally possible in their lives. Do the work, reap the reward. It works every time. It's science. Eat real food. Get enough rest. Lower stress. Exercise. Build relationships. Do it forever and be consistent. Stand up if you get knocked down. Ask for help if you need it. Don't be ashamed to start over.

If you need inspiration, motivation, accountability to get in shape so you can break past limits and have true physical freedom all you have to do is take a step toward better fitness. You can find a community to help you or join mine. It's up to you! And I know you can live your best life too.

Aloha from your Average Ironmom,

Kelsie Xo

PS-You can find The Sandcastle Workout here if you want a little inspiration!

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