Often when life presents you with a tough situation you fight going with your gut or following the logical path. I’m not one for going with the norm, I’d rather set my own trails and push the boundaries to find the road less traveled, to make the biggest impact, and to become a better version of myself.
I have shared that quote by Steve Jobs on many occasions as it’s become one of my life mantras. I don’t (and won’t) live someone else’s life. I don’t (and won’t) follow someone else’s dreams. I don’t (and won’t) allow other’s opinions to drown my own. I will only wake up each morning and live my life, follow my dreams and take the risks that truly set my heart on fire.
On Friday I had one of the hardest and scariest, yet easiest and most comforting calls of my life. For that I am truly grateful. It was a call with my boss to discuss the end of my time with the company (for now). It was in no way an easy conversation for either party but I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to work with such an amazing team at such a wonderful company and do hope our paths cross in the future.
But I’m not leaving my job to sit on my butt. I’m leaving so I can set out on the biggest leap of faith I’ve ever taken (and that’s saying a lot)! I’m leaving so I can pull together a huge community of people and lead them to make a big impact! And it’s called 50 States In A Year!
I’m not even kidding.
50 States In A Year is a charity fundraising tour where a friend and I will be traveling to all 50 states over the course of a year. We will be traveling in an RV (or hoping to, working on getting one of those!), staying with friends, and seeing what this beautiful country has to offer. But more important, we are raising money for the CrossFit for Hope charity. We will host fundraising WODs at boxes across the US to bring the CrossFit community closer together while all working towards the same goal – giving back!
This may be one of the craziest ideas I’ve ever had but when something feels right and when you can’t forget about it, you keep pursuing it, you keep dreaming it and you keep fighting to make it happen. I am fighting to make this happen. I am calling to the universe to help the pieces fall into place. And I’m thanking every person in my life who has stood beside me and said “how can I help you?” in support of this idea and this mission.
I’m on this earth to make big change. I truly believe it. And while somedays I don’t always know what that looks like, in my heart, I honestly feel this is one of them.
I look forward to the journey that lies before me and I hope each and every one of you will join me, will feel the power to share and support, and are excited for what we, as a community (whether or not you CrossFit), can do to impact the world around us.
—–
To anyone interested, here are the 50 States In A Year links to follow:
I honestly believe EVERYTHING happens for a reason. You’re not going to know RIGHT AWAY what the reasons are, but over time you will and you will appreciate every moment! 🙂
Exactly!! <3 🙂
That’s quite the life change! Wow. Good luck!! Make sure you pick Knoxville and not Nashville or Memphis when you roll through Tennessee! =)
Can’t I hit them all? P.S. What box do you go to? I’d love to get an event setup there! 🙂
Congratulations Katie on deciding the next phase of your life. Very exciting! Looking forward to following your travels. Must admit though, I will miss you dreadfully!
Thanks, Jodi! I’ll miss you too but we’ve got a couple times we’ll be driving through IL. 🙂
Amazing!!! Can’t wait to follow your journey! So excited for you. 🙂 Give me a shout out when you’re in AZ!
Absolutely girl! You’re on my list to see! 🙂
Kudos to you following your heart – this is going to be an amazing journey! Can’t wait to hear more about it =) Come to Duluth MN – my coach would probably love to collaborate!
Awesome! I’m going to email him this week! 🙂
HOW.AWESOME!!! Can’t wait to follow along on your adventure and see what happens! Take these risks, see the world, go into the unknown while you can! I wish I would have had more of a chance to do this in my earlier 20’s when I didn’t have a mini me to take care of. You go, girl!!
Thanks, girl! Your mini me is pretty freaking adorable tho! 🙂
So glad you are following your dreams friend!! xoxo. come to KY ASAP!
<3 <3 love you!
Big risks come with big rewards! You are clearly following your gut and definitely made the right decision! You are young and spontaneous and I am so excited to follow your adventure!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOO!!!!!
Thanks, Lee!! <3