Would you describe yourself as adventurous?
Wanna know something?
You’re more adventurous than you think you are.
It’s easy to think that being “adventurous” is reserved for those “crazy people” who abseil down sheer cliffs, run across continents or climb the highest mountains of the world.
However, the reality is that being adventurous is a mindset and you can choose to be, and see yourself, as adventurous no matter what you’ve achieved in your life.
If you’re testing your boundaries and comfort zone, trying new things and challenging yourself to do the things that interest and excite you — despite feeling nervous, apprehensive or, quite frankly, shit scared - then you’re adventurous too.
I’ve seen how powerful this realisation is time and time, not just in my life but in the lives of the women around me.
Saying that you “aren’t very adventurous” is a just a story you tell yourself (like all the other stories, labels and beliefs you have about what you can and can’t do).
And that mindset effects - and limits - the decisions you make and the actions you take. But when you start to challenge that story and think of yourself as adventurous, you’re more likely to accept and say yes to opportunities or experiences that excite but challenge you.
Di Westaway is the epitome of what it means to be ‘adventurous’, both in mindset and in action.
The founder of Wild Women on Top, Di started the company after a mid-wife crisis (as she calls it) led her to attempt to climb Aconcagua; the highest mountain in South America.
From there, professionally she went on to devote herself to Coastrek, a team trekking event held in Sydney, Melbourne and launching on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland in 2016. Coastrek has so far raised $15million for the Fred Hollows Foundation and helped to restore sight to nearly 1 million people around the world.
Personally, Di has had numerous incredible adventures on various continents around the world over the years, including achieving the world’s highest handstand on the beautiful Ama Dablam in Nepal at a lung-busting height of 6,890m.
And if you think it's hard to a busy mum or an older woman to be adventurous, think again...
Di has 3 children and didn't sleep in a tent for the first time until she was in her 40s!
In this interview we talk about:
* how adventure is the key to endless motivation,
* why your body is programmed, at a hormonal level, to achieve the goals you set,
* the importance of finding something that brings you satisfaction and fulfilment (which is one step beyond joy and happiness which can be temporary),
* how adventure goals help you realise the extent of your inner strength which is a skill that transfers back into, and can be used in your, everyday life,
* the power of charity events to manage guilt, and
* the beauty of leading an adventurous life - hint: once you have a taste of it, you realise it is not about how you look, it’s about how you feel.
I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did.
Click here to listen on iTunes.
Notes and resources:
To find out more about Di or to say hello, you can find her on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or via the Wild Women on Top website.
Found out more about Coastrek here.
Di’s new book - Natural Exhilaration: Lead an Adventurous Life You Love — is now available here.
Handstands in High Places: The Life and Dreams of Di Westaway via Wild.com.au
You Don't Need To Climb A Mountain To Feel On Top of The World via Huffington Post
Wild Woman on Top - Di Westaway via Travel Play Live