Rachel Holland: Go-Getter
I never thought I’d do this and I want to prove to myself that I can. - Rachel
We all know what it’s like to be faced with a challenge. Sometimes it throws itself in our faces and dares us to beat it. And when that happens, do we shy away? Hesitate and move forward anyway? Well, today I’d like you to meet Rachel who stares down a challenge, determined to push it out of her way.
Rachel Holland is a married mom of three teenage girls. (No, that’s not the challenge we’re talking about today.) You might run into her as she works in her salon, substitute teaches in her local school district, or runs deliveries as a self-employed driver. Or lately, you’ll see her crushing goals in the pool or lifting weights at the gym. You see, Rachel is taking on challenges that make her a stronger, healthier version, even if it means she needs to overcome a fear first.
When I met with Rachel in the spring, she was training for a triathlon to take place before she would be laid up from a foot surgery. This race would have her swim ¼ mile, bike 6.5 miles, and then run 2 miles. At the time, she was training with brick workouts (those that train for back-to-back disciplines without a break) to prepare herself for this challenge. She said, “I feel alive if I go after something I think I can’t do - and then I accomplish it.” What’s unique about Rachel’s goal here is that not only could she not swim when she started training; she was afraid of the water. So since this was her weakest point of the triathlon training, she started here.
Rachel had a real fear of drowning that was hard to overcome. At first, she admits, she could not even put her face in the water. A month before the race, she was able to swim three laps. She recalls, “It’s such a mental game.” Learning to relax in the water is a hard thing to beat in your head before you can do it with your body. But she chose to remember, “I’ve gotten this far; I can keep going.”
This triathlon was a new thing for Rachel. When I asked her why she signed up, she said, “Well, I never thought I’d do this and I want to prove to myself that I can.” Since she knew she wouldn’t sit well while recovering from her upcoming surgery, she was determined to be in the best physical health she could so that she would heal faster. So in looking for ideas, she found herself on Running in the USA’s race list page. It was there she found the J-Hawk Earlybird Race Series and went for it.
Now, I don’t know about you, but there are plenty of times in my life that I see a cool thing and think, “Hey, I should do that.” And that’s the end of that story for me. So when I asked Rachel how she goes about setting goals and intentions, she said she has a system.
Pick a goal.
Spend time researching how to get it done.
Procrastinate for a bit.
Start at the last minute.
Get it done.
With this triathlon, she knew that the swim would be the hardest part AND that Step #3 (above) about herself was real, she signed herself up for lessons early. That swim coach gave her strategies and tips to overcome her challenges. Then because the race was almost upon her, she spent extra time in the pool in between lessons in order to meet her deadline.
Rachel remembers having two desires for race outcomes: 1-don’t drown. 2-”just finish and enjoy it.” Well, May 7, 2023, Rachel finished her first triathlon second in her age group! And now she has every intention of competing in more triathlons in her future.
What we at Strong Girls Travel love the most about Rachel’s story is her dedication to finding challenges that make her stronger and then choosing to see personal success by crushing her goals. Many of us will sit back and be caught by surprise by a life challenge - then beat it and see victory. But Rachel actively seeks ways to create victorious, strong moments in her life.
Are you looking for opportunities to see those strengthening victories in your own life? Do you need moments to be your own best cheerleader? Rachel reminds us to set realistic expectations for ourselves first. “If you don’t already go to the gym five days a week, that’s a big jump. You can do it, but a smaller goal will help you make those bigger ones later.” Finding support groups or coaches will also help you in your efforts. A Triathlon for Beginners Facebook group was super helpful in the beginning of Rachel’s journey. She gained answers and tips from people who were in her same boat.
Rachel has healed well from her foot surgery, but running this year is not quite in the plans. So she’s pivoted her goal to center around her physical strength, and has taken on a health coach at her local Momentum Gym. This will enable her to get signed up for more triathlons in 2024. And we have no doubt that she will crush those goals next year as well.
