Let’s talk about something not totally related to our industry, but can be. Personal growth.

What’s the coolest, strongest, best thing you’ve ever done for yourself that changed you? Did you expect that change? Did you hope for it? Or was it a pleasant, unexpected “side effect” of whatever you did? I did something super amazing one year, in 2017, and to this day, I still don’t see it as others do- I was told countless times of how brave and amazing it was, but it’s taken a long time to see that.

Let me tell you a little personal story.

I married my high school sweetheart. We had three daughters together. After more than 16 years together, it was ended. My world was turned on it’s head. I was working in Veterinary Medicine, a newly single mom of three little girls (the youngest had just turned one a few days later) and barely surviving. I wasn’t living life, I was surviving it. Getting through each day, doing the best I could to “mom” normally, and give my girls some sort of good life. I was riddled with health issues; and after 3 rounds of mastitis, I landed in the hospital with sepsis. I spent a week in the hospital, being scanned, ultrasounded, MRI’d, CT scanned….I was GLOWING and not in a good way.

I left the hospital alive, but on a slew of medication including blood thinners for the clots found in my lung scans.

I was put off work. A couple months later I returned to work, only to be rushed by ambulance to the hospital with the thought I was having either a heart attack or a stroke (I was only 34!). After all the testing, the specialists and cardiologists, I was diagnosed with Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy. In other terms, this is Broken Heart Syndrome. Woaaahhh. This is a REAL thing. And while I wasn’t having ACTUAL cardiac issues, I WAS at the same time.

I HAD to do something. I was in therapy, working on my health of my physical body and my mind. But I was just surviving and my babies needed me THRIVING.

And so I decided I was going on a road trip, alone. Unplanned. Just with an idea of where in mind. I just needed to escape all of what was happening so that maybe I could focus on what I needed to do. And maybe….find ME along the way.

With the incredible help of my parents, I left a little over a week later. (oh….fun side note, 3 days before my trip, was the great flood of 2017 and my house had 8” of sewage water that destroyed my photography studio, my props, my house stuff and appliances! Talk about crazy!)

My intended “goal” was to travel the east coast of Canada - stop where I wanted, when I wanted, see all the touristy things and non-touristy things and just EXPERIENCE. As well as learn who I was again. During this trip, I photographed amazing places, saw amazing things, did things that challenged my fears (like learn to sail and sail myself!) as well as reflect on every thought and feeling I had. I also wasn’t on this trip to sleep in fancy accommodations so many nights I slept in my van! I rented cabins, airBNBs, campsites. I built my own fires. I went whale watching. I sat on the ocean floor and journalled at Hopewell Rocks. It’s truly incredible the beauty we have in our own backyard, our country has a million places to love, appreciate the beauty and to learn about! I talked to locals, to other travelers and was consistently talking to myself. At first, she didn’t want to listen or be reasonable. But, by the end, I had her.

When I returned 3 weeks later, I was a completely different version than who had left. I was a better person, a better employee and a far better mother. I left all (well, almost all) of the negativity, the heaviness behind me. I was ready for my new life! And during this process, I came to terms with leaving Vet Medicine, and accepted the position here at Bounce that was offered just before I left!

It’s been just over 5 years since this trip (September 2017) and on November 1st is my 5 year anniversary here with Bounce! I cannot tell you what being here has done for me, the growth I’ve experienced both from internal sources but also being surrounded by the team that is here.

Tell me, what’s the best thing you’ve ever done for yourself? There is no “small feat” when it comes to personal growth so whatever it is, share it!