In the aftermath of last week’s huge success with the promo video for MR2S and the resulting support and response from everyone supporting my journey I was left feeling really positive about what I’m trying to accomplish. It seems as though the site has gained a lot of momentum along with the Facebook fanpage, and my Twitter feed. Also my friend Kevin Jagger, founder of Podium Platform has made me an administrator to its Facebook fanpage to help build up awareness and support for a truly great endeavor. Podium Platform serves as an online sponsorship resource for amateur athletes to help them realize their goals! So please take the time and visit the site and help support our Canadian athletes!
While we are on the topic of sponsorship, I just want to mention that things have been going well. The video for MR2S has been a great tool to help spread the word about MR2S and also captivated potential sponsors to fuel my ride to slide to Sochi! Although things are going relatively well, they are moving much slower than I would like but that’s mainly because I’m impatient and I like to get results quickly! But also, one of the reasons I feel like things are moving slowly is because I’m already starting to feel the pinch. A couple of airline tickets to Calgary and a couple of weeks off of work, combined with the sporadic expenses associated with moving one’s life across the country to pursue a moneyless endeavor has left me a little light in the ol’ piggy bank. Just to let you know what amateur athletes face, I’m actually selling my car that was gifted to me by my mother to fund my first few months in Calgary! (don’t worry, I asked her if she was ok with it, haha!) But things are stalling and yesterday I got really stressed out about having absolutely zero money in my bank account. But then I remember…Things could be worse.
It’s a really weird spot to be in. Normally I would never allow myself to fall into such a position but I’m in Ottawa for another two weeks and it’s not like I can just pick up a job in the meantime. I’m just training and going to the gym and I have to keep fighting off this nagging feeling of guilt that I keep having because in reality, I am working….towards my new goal. The other night I was having dinner (which they paid for of course! Thanks guys! The pizza was delicious!) at a friend’s place and I found myself laughing along with them at my current financial situation. It obviously sucks to be without any money because you can’t even buy a cup of coffee, but I think it all boils down to your perspective on the whole situation.
After my football injury I went and found a job at a bank. I made entry level money and I absolutely hated my job! There were days where I would drive into the parking lot and just sit in my car, starring at the building, shuttering at the thought of spending the next 8 hours of my day attached to a phone in a cubicle. It was honestly the worst six months of my life. The only redeeming factor was that I could escape for the weekends and enjoy the money I earned . But now I’m in the complete opposite situation. I’m making absolutely zero money but I absolutely love what I am doing! It feels like I’m living out one of my childhood fantasies and there’s a very good chance that I will realize that dream in two years time. But just yesterday I had $-103.00 in my checkings account. (just reading that makes me laugh!) I have no problem sharing that with all of you because, it’s not because I was financially irresponsible, and it wasn’t because of a lack of work ethic, but mostly just timing. I know it’s only temporary and eventually I’ll get out of it without a scratch, but it’s funny to look at my friends reactions when they hear about my situation. You see a look of shock or wonderment roll over their faces. One of my friends even burst out laughing when I mentioned to her how much money, or lack of money I had in my bank account! It was pretty funny! To be honest with all of you, I much rather be laughing at my current situation with all of you because I am so happy about what I am doing, than just simply trying to get through another day at a job I absolutely couldn’t stand even though I was financially secure. I guess job satisfaction does play a huge role!
But I think my lighthearted outlook on this whole situation is mainly due to the fact that my goal to become a member of the Canadian Bobsled Team and to compete in the 2014 winter olympics has given me back the confidence that I once had when I was playing football. I’m 100% sure about what I am doing, and I enjoy it to no end! There’s nothing else I rather be doing, and there’s honestly no other place I rather be than in the red. So feel free to laugh along with me at my current situation because even though it’s a tough spot, you have to admit that it’ll one day make one hell of a story! Don’t for one second feel bad about my situation, because I’m probably the happiest I have ever been in my entire life! I have great friends, family and all of you supporting me on an awesome adventure that will live with me for the rest of my life! You can’t put a price on that. But….a steak would be nice now and again haha!
It’s always good to laugh at yourself sometimes and this video really helped me get over the little slump I was having. Judging by the crowd’s reaction in this video, I’m assuming that probably a few of the people in the audience have been through similar instances, and they’re all ok today. So why not join them and be happy, might as well because I’m going to be poor for the next two years! haha
Warning: Course Language. You only need to watch the first 5 minutes, but you’ll probably watch the rest anyway! haha
One of my favorite comedians Louis CK
