TODAY’S QUESTION

Who inspires you?  Who do you look up to?

Who are your mentors? And Why?

Oh no, how on earth do I answer this one? Would it be horrible to admit that I don’t really have a mentor? Oh sure, I had a few assigned to me early in my career, and along the way I have sought out others, but those relationships have either evolved or run their course.

So who inspires me? Well, that tends to change week by week. You see, lately much of my inspiration comes from the men and women who are featured on Extreme Weight Loss. No, I don’t know these people. And yes, I realize that they have tons of support as they do these insane year-long weight loss courses. But really? They lose almost half of their body weight in a year. That’s insane. That takes a delirious amount of determination and dedication, even if you do have a team to help you.

I know there are inspirational people in all walks of life. I know that people who overcome huge obstacles and put themselves out there in service of others deserve my admiration. I do admire them. Firefighters, police officers, health care workers of all types, air conditioner technicians, plumbers, electricians, fellow teachers, alligator wranglers, dog trainers, honest auto mechanics, bartenders, chefs, and exterminators all have special places in my heart. But the ones I wait for week after week, the ones I cheer on and think about when I’m feeling down, are the brave souls who take off their shirts and step on the loading dock scale.

Those fat, brave souls are the ones who fall apart at their first workout and spew out the poison that has held them back from success in the past. They’re the ones that wake up at 5 am, work through sprains and strains, and allow us to see them binge on a bag of french fries. Bless them. I don’t know if I would have the courage to put myself out there for the world to see.  I give them all the credit in the world, and a little tiny part of me wishes I was one of them.