This last Saturday morning around 7 am, I found myself in St. Petersburg standing on the beach of a public park. The park, situated in the heart of downtown, features a large grassy area that separates the tall buildings from the Gulf of Mexico. The park was full of walkers, joggers, people practicing yoga or meditation, and a couple of people with metal detectors searching for treasure.

On the other hand, I had an orange buoy strapped to my waist, a swim cap on my head, and wearing a skin-tight triathlon suit, or what I affectionally refer to as an adult-sized onesie.

Think yoga shorts attached to a zip-up short sleeve top made from the same material for a visual.

I was standing on the sidewalk in the middle of a crowd of about 90 people, none of whom I knew, all dressed similarly.

Today was the first time I would participate in an Open Water Swim.

Below are a few things I want to mention before continuing.

1. I don't swim in the ocean, except to play in the waves with my kids.
2. I am not usually one to walk around in skin-tight clothing.
3. My natural inclination is to avoid trying new things with large groups of people I don't know.

How I Ended Up at This Beach

A little over a month ago, I was hanging out at the Valspar PGA golf tournament with Ed Buckley, the founder, and CEO of PeerFit, (which was acquired by FitOn) and now the CEO of FitOn Health. ( A pretty active guy in fitness and business).

We were chatting about fitness, and he mentioned participating in a Half Ironman in December, a distance he had also done the previous year.

I have wanted to complete an Ironman since college but have always thought it was too much work and that I would need more time. It would make more sense to do it later in life. It is a recurring thought I have had to do it after college, after Script, after my kids were older, and so on.

Here was a guy who had navigated several acquisitions in the last year and was a busy CEO with multiple side projects, just as, if not more, busy as me. Yet, he casually mentions things on my bucket list I've been putting off with excuses.

I mentioned to Ed reflexively, "Wow, I've always wanted to do an Ironman," to which, without skipping a beat, he extended his drink towards me and said something to the effect of, "It's in December; prices haven't gone up yet, sign up!".

After spending about 500 milliseconds contemplating my choice, I moved the drink in my hand towards his to "clink" our glasses in acceptance. As I watched my drink draw closer, my mind started to race for reasons I could use to decline politely. 1. I need more time. 2. What about the logistics? 3. I don't own a bike, and they are expensive! 4. The fears and anxiety of picking up two sports I've never seriously participated in (Cycling and Swimming). Before I could finish my thoughts, our glasses clinked together, and I said, "I'll do it!" and we drank to my acceptance of the challenge.

Then, Without further mention, we moved on to another topic, and as quickly as it had come, the conversation shifted to something else.

The group we were with continued to chat, but I was no longer paying attention. Instead, I was in my head, thinking about what I had just agreed to. I tried to brush it off and enjoy the golf, free food, and open bar.

I kept replaying the conversation for the rest of the day.

After the tournament, I went home and talked it over with my supportive wife, who gave me the green light to go for it.

Back on the Beach

Just over 30 days after my conversation with Ed, I was on the beach and about to swim. But, standing and waiting to get into the water, I find myself way outside of my comfort zone, a feeling I have been experiencing a lot in the month since I started my Triathlon training.

Getting to this point has been more of a mental challenge than a physical one. The biggest hurdle I have had to overcome is my fear of not knowing how to do something or looking foolish.

I have battled this fear all of my life. It usually leads to low anxiety levels in social situations and, at worst, holds me back from trying new experiences or building relationships.

Another name for this type of fear is pride, not the healthy pride, such as pride in one's work, but the lousy pride that tempts you to compromise on opportunities to grow in the name of keeping up an appearance.

The opportunity to repeatedly face this fear and choose to take action despite it has been the most rewarding aspect of my journey to becoming a Triathlete. I have gotten chance after chance to try new things, be a beginner, and ask questions of people far more knowledgeable than me, and I am a better person.

The Swim

As I walked out into the water, shuffling my feet to avoid stepping on a crab or a stingray, a rush of adrenaline hit. I was doing something I'd never done before, and it was because I was willing to put myself out of my comfort zone.

I swam over 1500 yards that day, or about 0.85 of a mile in about 38 minutes, and met extraordinary people warmly excited to share tips and tricks with a first-timer.

I returned to the beach without encountering marine life (another fear) and stood and looked out at the water.

I was grateful to be here, to have accomplished something new, and to come back and do it again.

Closing Thoughts

In life, whether in relationships, business, or sports, we should never let our pride stand in the way of trying new opportunities or rob ourselves of the gift of being a beginner. Exploring new areas of interest and participating in novel and unique experiences gives life a richness you will never find by doing the same things you've always done.

Take a small step to put yourself out there, and every once in a while, say yes without thinking and try something new. The more you exercise this muscle, the more opportunity you will have.

Warmly,

Pat Cahill