This past weekend, I took on a challenge that completely stretched me beyond my comfort zone—I ran my second half marathon, one that took me from the U.S. into Canada and back, crossing borders and pushing through more fears and doubts than I’ve faced in a long time. In this episode of Membership Launches and Communities, I wanted to share how this experience surprisingly mirrors so much of the business journey, including the hesitations, the commitment, and the power of community.

I’ll be honest, signing up for this race wasn’t a snap decision. At the holiday party last December, I found myself inspired by someone else’s half marathon training, and before I knew it, I was obsessively hovering over the registration page, debating all those familiar “what ifs.” What if my son’s hockey interfered, what if I couldn’t train enough, what if I just wasn’t ready? That feeling of shaky hands before committing is one that so many of us know, whether it’s buying a course for our business or launching something new. Eventually, I hit that register button, and I instantly felt the full nervous weight of signing up - what was I getting into?

Training for the race brought its own set of rocky moments and revelations. I started out with a “play-it-safe” plan, only looking to finish, not hit a time goal. But as the weeks rolled past, I realized my plan wasn’t challenging me enough, so I pivoted, found better resources, and started to see real change. There were upsides too—I got over my fear of running outside (and found beautiful new paths, even a “vacation horse” in the Azores), ran on the beach, learned to make training fit into family trips, and met people who motivated me in ways I didn’t expect.

But the nerves crept back in as race day approached. I didn’t feel ready, I hadn’t put in as many kilometers as I’d hoped, and logistically, even booking my hotel felt last-minute. The weather forecast was gloomy, my shoes weren’t new, my old injuries started acting up, and the excuses to bail piled up. Yet, thanks to my husband’s pep talk and remembering my son’s “breathe in, breathe out” mantra, I stayed focused—my only true goal was to finish.

Race day was filled with inspiration and real reminders of determination. I watched runners overcoming far bigger obstacles—people running with prosthetics, parents pushing strollers with children who had disabilities, participants running for loved ones, people coming back from spinal surgery. The sense of community was electric: Windsor’s “Fill the Line” program put volunteer cheerleaders, music, and flags representing dozens of countries along the route. Students, border agents, even DJs all celebrated runners from both sides of the border. It was such a vivid example of the value of community—strangers supporting each other through hard moments and big dreams.

Crossing the finish line felt incredible, not just for the physical accomplishment, but for having walked through every fear that tried to hold me back. Medal in hand, hearing my name from a volunteer, surrounded by a crowd of supportive people, I felt the same rush I hope my podcast listeners feel after pushing through business obstacles to reach their goals.

If you’ve ever felt paralyzed by the “what ifs” in your membership journey or business, I hope my half marathon story helps you see that those fears are just steps along the way. The reward—your “medal”—is waiting on the other end. Think about the support you have and the community you can build or lean into along the way, whether it’s fellow runners, volunteer cheerleaders, or your own group of business owners.

Thank you for joining me for this very personal episode. I hope it inspires you to identify your own medal, acknowledge your fears, and move through them, knowing an incredible community is cheering you on. And, if you ever get a chance to experience the energy and camaraderie of a big race, I highly recommend it!

I’m grateful for all the volunteers, the Detroit Free Press event team, my supportive family, and every runner whose story made this race so memorable. Here’s to chasing big goals, wherever they lead us next—even if you have to cross a few borders along the way!

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