See that gigantic smile? That’s one of the most inspiring men I know. And for very simple reasons. He was the runner who made me feel most welcome when I was first thrust amongst this crazy group (sounds like I had no choice doesn’t it…ha ha). But seriously, shy little me was shuffling (my version of running) down the trail and and this speedy guy kept passing me (he is a speed demon) and EVERY single time he did, he had such a big smile on his face and was so friendly and welcoming. He made me feel as if I belonged and was a part of the family already. Then as I got to know David more, I learned even more about him and he became even more inspirational to me.

He’s done (hope I get this right) 3 years of at least 52 marathons a year (and I think he’s going for much higher this year) and he’s working full time as well. He’s in his late 50s (hope he’s not like a woman who doesn’t want their age publicized..lol) and might just have turned 60 or be close to it (he’s creeping up on me). That type of perseverance by itself is just amazing to me. I don’t have that but would like to.

Then I found out they call him the Running Preacher but what I found more inspirational is that he’s running for a cause. And he doesn’t push it at all. He mentions it on his Facebook posts but doesn’t come up and stick it in your face. So take a look at The Water Project and see if it’s something you’d like to support. I did. And I love him for just caring enough to want people to recognize that his running means different things to different people.

David’s face makes everyone light up because his smile and enthusiasm is only surpassed by his friendliness and caring for others. The day I ran the 50 miler he was there being so supportive and cheering me on – with support like that, there’s no way you can quit. He makes you smile even when your legs hurt bunches. You know that with all his running his legs hurt a whole heck of a lot more than yours! You also never want to complain around him either. He is such a wonderful guy that I feel so blessed that I met him and have gotten to know him some. And hope that I can get to know him even more.

Thank you David for being such a selfless guy!

Terrie

Oops I skipped a day because of this “cold” I have. Sorry. But picking right back up where I left off. Today will be short because I have to go to work very very soon. But I wanted to let you know that I think that Reba McEntire is one of THE most inspiring people in the world.

She’s successful but it’s why she’s successful that impresses and inspires me, not just that she IS successful. She has the most amazing work ethic of anyone I know. I don’t think she ever takes a day off. To have such longevity as a great country singer by itself is amazing. You see and hear of all these one or two hit wonders and that’s really nice for them and they last on tour a few years but to do this over and over and over again for all the years (she made her first record recording in 1976 I believe) and continue to be successful with every single release she does is beyond belief. There are only a few legends that that happens to. And you know it requires perseverance and marked dedication. You just have to go on no matter what. You can’t cancel a show just because you have a cold – although I don’t know how you sing like she does if you have a cold – truly amazing to me. And you know what else – each release has to be hit -or you don’t go on – the music industry and fans are fickle – if they don’t like a song, you can go down the tubes. But Reba’s songs are masterpieces.

I saw her in concert in DC one time and aside from being blown away by her multiple costume changes during one show (I still don’t know how she did that so quickly and so perfectly) she hit a high note in one song and it’s the one and only time in my life I felt like my brain was going to explode from the perfect very high note. It made a very lasting impression on me. It also represented the immense power that Reba has despite her diminutive nature.

But she hasn’t just stuck to singing. She’s done a Broadway show – where, once again, you have to show up every single night no matter what. That takes dedication – there’s no “well I really need a day off” or “I just don’t feel like it tonight” – those are not even phrases in her vocabulary.

Then to top all that off she has her own TV show. Each of these things requires different talents and different requirements in your work habits.

Do you have this much work ethic? I don’t but when I think of Reba I stop feeling bad (or even stop feeling sorry for myself) and just think about what I need to be doing to move things along. She wasn’t “born into” success – she made it and fought for it! I want to be like Reba when I grow up!

Terrie

 Rich German is one of my mentors and a mentor is “supposed” to inspire you. Many do not (why we would continue to call them mentors I don’t really know but we do). Rich does. Bottom line – he is very inspirational not only with his words but with his actions and his lifestyle. He’s unassuming and has a very touching story and wants to help homeless children in the US.  I think the fact that he’s done what I want to do (establish a foundation) inspires me even more. Plus, he’s a great coach and teacher for all of us in his program. He takes the time to work with you but doesn’t let your (my) “stuff” get in the way – he makes you do things. However along with his passion for coaching coaches and helping them build their businesses, he’s compassionate. That’s pretty unusual for a guy – ha ha – to be compassionate at the same time as he’s pursuing his passion. He understands that “life gets in the way” because he’s been there, done that and even probably has a few t-shirts! So he understands where you are but also wants you to get where you want to go.

His ability to work with people and coax the most out of them so that they go deep within themselves but not stomping on them once they’ve let that fragile and vulnerable part out is also unusual but quite an endearing quality he has.

When he gets ideas, he goes after them with full force and makes them work. Almost all of his ideas work! That is the mark of someone who not only has the business savvy needed but also operates on his intuition and inspiration. What a combination. If we all could do that, we would be phenomenal human beings. But not all of us seem to be able to extract that from deep within. However, if you hang around Rich for very long, it will rub off you. You can’t go wrong being around his very high vibration. I have to tell you, though, that I think the primary brains behind his business is his sister, Robin. Both Rich and Robin live the Law of Attraction and have written a book about it (which is also available as an audiobook and I recommend that for people who want to learn and run/exercise). My finding Rich was another one of those Universal “accidents” that I love – I just happened to hear an old recording of an interview with him at just the right time. As a result I was able to enroll in his course and have benefited markedly since November when I began my journey with Rich. I hope to meet him in December where I can give him a hard time (he thrives on that and then he can show off his healthy living lifestyle by beating a “girl”).

I know I’m rambling but being around creative people kind of makes you do that. He is definitely creative and that’s something I just want to absorb from him if I can. Just let the inspirational and creative juices flow as it were.

Rich German makes my week when we have calls together and even moreso when we have those “private” calls (no, they are not like that…LOL). He gets my thoughts flowing and pushes me into action – I am so happy and grateful that Rich is in my life and has given me so much to emulate!

Check out Generation Why before you do anything else today – help our homeless children and feel better about yourself.  You can get a copy of his book, Monetize Your Passion too.

Terrie

I don’t know how many of you have ever heard of Lauren Manning but if you haven’t , you should check her out.

As I veer toward the elevators, I suddenly feel an incredible sense of otherworldliness. It’s an odd, tremendous, quaking feeling. Everything . . . moves. I hear a huge, whistling rush of air, an incredibly loud sound: shshooooooooooooo. And then, with an enormous, screeching exhalation, fire explodes from the elevator banks into the lobby and engulfs me. An immense weight pushes down on me, and I can barely breathe. I am whipped around. Looking to my right, where the two women were talking, I see people lying on the floor covered in flames. Like them, I am on fire.

I read Greg and Lauren’s first book several years ago (“Love, Greg and Lauren” ) when it was first published in 2002 and it was/is brilliant. Greg (Lauren’s husband) collected all the emails and letters he had written to friends and family chronicling Lauren’s life and death struggle after she was burned over 82% of her body in 9/11.

I was so touched by her courage and will to live and the love from Greg and all around her that it has stuck with me all these years. But you see, I had the luxury of reading the story and then going about my life doing anything and everything I wanted. Lauren wasn’t so lucky – she was the one living the nightmare. And she was existing or so it probably seemed – through all the surgery, infection and pain this woman continued to hang on and fight. I am pretty sure I couldn’t handle all that she had to go through so that puts her even higher on my “courage, determination, and inspiration” list.

In 2002 I did the “Face of America” bicycle ride honoring 9/11 – we rode from Ground Zero to the Pentagon in 3 days. Here’s a quote from me as I was featured (I have no idea why though) in that ride booklet and again in a commemorative article in 2011:

Terrie Wurzbacher was an active duty member from the U.S. Navy. A native New Yorker and a Washington D.C. resident who has epilepsy, Wurzbacher looked to the Face of America to support each other. “This ride is giving us the opportunity to do more than just fly the flag,” she said. “[The ride] will help dispel the myth that having a disability precludes accomplishing a major goal – my epilepsy will not stand in the way of my training for and succeeding in this ride. There are other riders with other conditions, many with asthma, some with heart conditions.”

As an aside, I am so grateful that I was featured because it allowed a man whom I had worked with (and apparently successfully influenced his life) to find me amongst that morass of riders. One morning after it had rained pretty much all night, I went to my bike and saw something on it and being the true New Yorker that I am was wondering who had “messed with my bike”. But then I saw that it was a note from him. He had found my number and looked through all the bikes to find it and leave the note. We were able to hook up and ride into the Pentagon (one of the most emotional moments of my life) together – arm in arm – not an easy thing to do on a bike!

But I digress.  At Ground Zero as we were getting ready to leave NYC on our journey South Lauren spoke. As we filed by we got to shake hands with her and I made my way over to her and in a choked up voice thanked her for her courage and for being there only 1 year after her tragic experience. That was an extremely touching memory for me. It stuck we me as we battled the headwinds along the coast and wanted to quit. I kept remembering this diminutive woman and how much she had endured and then simply laughed at myself for even considering stopping instead of pushing ahead against the wind. It was only wind and only slightly uncomfortable. It wasn’t the 24/7 agony that Mrs. Manning went through and still had to go through.

So next time you want to quit something, I hope you remember this post and this woman. I also hope you read the two books about her – the latest is titled “Unmeasured Strength” and that’s an understatement.

She is an inspiration and just seeing her alive and so active at this point is an inspiration to everyone!

Think about her courage and act “as if”.

Terrie