Another great way of saying control the controllables. If you look all around you, you’ll find so many different ways to express the same thing.

So what did I have to let go of?

For starters I had hoped I would do great (for me) at vol state. Well as you all know, that didn’t happen. But I learned to accept help that was offered. I wasn’t at the point yet, where i could ask for it but I was able to accept it from several sources.

As a result of letting go of those expectations I discovered more about myself than ever via my parts and IFS and writing my book

I thought “ok that’s a fine little bump. Now let’s get back to normal.”

Ha ha. Letting go of the expectation that I could finally finish this nemesis- the 112 mile race over Labor Day. Bang. There went my clavicle.

But instead of trying to prove how strong I was I finally did ask for help and was honored by my friend sacrificing 3 days to rescue me.

At that point I had to put all other expectations on hold – doing more podcasts and most of all finishing up my book

I learned a lot about patience and learning something new. I also learned more about the value of gratitude because I knew there are many people out there that would give anything to “just” have a fractured clavicle.

This was followed by a medical procedure that kept me from eating for 2 1/2 weeks. That really went against all expectations. But it also reset some of my food and appetite centers in a way I don’t understand yet.

That should have been it for the not living up to expectations but no. I was planning to use the upcoming race as good kick off training for 2026 vol state. Then I was out of commission for 7-8 days. There went that expectation. So living in the present on that is the fact I will go to have fun and evaluate what my body can do. And use that as kick off training. It’s just a different form but it will be excellent.

What have you learned from 2025?