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Leaning Into Life, Living Doubtlessly

May 18th, 2011

Tamela Rich is one of the most fearless women you’ll meet. No, check that. One of the most fearless people you’ll meet.

In 2010, bankrupt in business, her relationships strained and cracking, she considered chucking it all. Financial ruin had shaken the 48-year-old ghost writer in unspeakable ways. She was literally standing on the ledge. Yes, that ledge.

She did what any human being would do under pressure like that: She strapped a pink bra to a motorcycle and rode across America, raising money for breast cancer research and meeting women who were living courageously with cancer.

Mind you, Tamela Rich wasn’t a motorcycle veteran when she made the leap. She’s a financial writer. She didn’t even know how to ride a motorcycle. Veteran riders — loving friends — warned her of the dangers. Yet despite their worries, she began Leaning Into Life.

Beneath Fear and Psychology

Last week I wrote about the importance of surrendering all concerns and focusing on the play in the moment. I outlined three contexts where business leaders must be doubtless in their pursuit of insight: Personal doubtlessness, organizational doubtlessness and doubtlessness in the marketplace.

Tamela Rich is the embodiment of personal doubtlessness. She chooses to operate in a truly grounded manner, to experience the flow of insight – there, beneath her fear and psychology.

“Did you ever see a motorcycle racer going into a curve with a knee on the tarmac and wonder why ride this way?” Tamela Rich writes.

Leaning into the curve is about faith. It’s about trusting the physics of motorcycle riding, about riding it hard into the corner and knowing it’ll stick. And for Tamela Rich and the women she’s met, it’s about choosing the scariest option and facing demons with faith.

Once you’ve done that, executing a business plan — or a life plan — seems downright manageable.

On June 18, Tamela Rich goes “Kickstands Up” as she embarks cross-country once again: through 20 states, 4 Canadian provinces and approximately 10,000 miles. She’s writing a book about her journey and about women motorcyclists who’ve found joy in motorcycle cancer therapy.  The working title is Live Full Throttle: What You can Learn About Life From Women Who’ve Faced Cancer. You can follow her adventures at her Leaning Into Life blog.

What are you doing about leaning into life and living doubtlessly? How do you dispel fear to focus intently on the play in front of you? What’s your personal insight?

  • Anonymous

    Thanks, Bruce, for including my story in your blog.u00a0nnI should clarify that I was on “that” ledge about three years before I took my trip. Between then and the time I took my trip I had the benefit of medical, psychological and spiritual caregiving. If any of your readers are suicidal, I would recommend getting similar help before jumping on a motorcycle. That said, joy is a miraculous healer and my motorcycle gives me plenty of joy.nnYours truly,nTamelan

    • http://www.fritchconsulting.com Bruce W. Fritch

      Tamela, thanks for this and that. u00a0You go, Girl!nnRespectfully,nBruce

    • http://mediaemerging.com Scott Hepburn

      Such an important point, Tamela. nnI love the spirit of the women you’ve introduced us to. It’s so tempting to let life’s hardships define us and control us. There’s something so powerful…so invigorating…about grabbing your demons by the nostrils and saying “I’m in charge here, not you.”nnA few years ago, I wrestled painfully with depression. It was agonizing. As part of my healing plan, I enlisted a network of friends for support. I recruited them into my “army,” and we had a mission: Kick Depression In The Nuts. “KDITN” became a rally cry and, with each passing day, a victory cry.nnI’ve been far more confident as a leader, as a business owner, and as the CEO of my life since taking command. I’m learning to drive hard into the corner and trust the wheels to stick. Learning to have faith like that has been life-changing.

  • Michelleshail

    u00a0Your blogs are thoughtful and inspiring and I respect and admire Tamela’s story. Confronting our fears (which I believe are largely learned behaviors often removed from reality) and leaning into life reminds me of the necessity of a thought community. There will be differences to be sure and to be celebrated but a scaffolding of mutual respect and unconditional positive regard that sticks with us is a treasure. Grateful to be part of your thought community.u00a0

    • http://www.fritchconsulting.com Bruce W. Fritch

      Thank you, Michelle. It is not possible to be on one’s own ground — leaning into the curve in any moment — without solid self-respect in that moment, surrendering all concerns and focusing on the play in the moment.

      Perhaps the differentiating element in an adult is her or his ability to maintain profound self-respect at all times. In contrast, adolescence is about being off one’s ground, intent on pleasing “them,” and prone to self-depreciation if “they” do not approve.

      Tamela Rich courageously informs us that she worked desperately for her ground, with “benefit of medical, psychological and spiritual caregiving.” Deep, redeeming self-respect can be found with respectful mirroring by wise counselors and loving supporters. What is mirrored was there, all the time. We realize that, on our ground.

  • Rdeitchman

    Inspiring story.u00a0 Good message.