WHAT TEAM INSPIRATION REALLY IS

Last week when Nathan, Trisha, Jim and I spoke to the neurological patients, more of the bigger picture of this wild adventure became clear to me. At the beginning of our talk, I asked the group how many members of Team Inspiration were present. The people doing the triathlon with us all raised their hands. I told the group that that was a trick question. At the end of our talk, I told the group that Team Inspiration is not a group of people doing a triathlon together. It is a group of people with challenges fighting to beat those struggles who inspire those without challenges to better their lives. It is also a group of people without challenges who work to inspire those with them to fight them, making their lives better.

I got to thinking this weekend about how this all has come to be. I went back to a letter I wrote Nathan, Trisha and Jim in May when I gave them a metal inscribed with the Emerson quote that is on the top of this blog. In that letter, I used words like inspire, positive, strength and hope. When folks started saying that they wanted to do the triathlon with me, our superjocks wanted a team logo. The symbols they included were for strength, health, friendship and hope. It is mind boggling how everyone involved with us frequently uses these powerful words. I think that is why Team Inspiration has made such a huge impact and impression.

One of our superjocks, Paco Solano, is a senior in High School. He has received a full scholarship to play football for Airforce starting next year. (WAY TO GO PACO!). Yesterday, he came in my house and was so excited to tell me that his picture playing in last week’s football game appeared on the front page of the local paper. (The above picture!) I told him that that was great and that I was so very proud of him. He immediately informed me that he did not tell me about the picture for that purpose. He told me that he was excited about the picture because his Team Inspiration wristband showed very clearly in the picture. He was proud to be associated with our group and happy that our group got some recognition in his picture. Amazing that a teenager is so selfless. I was reminded of another photo someone very excitedly sent me. Iron Man Jim sent me his finish photo from his recent Iron Man in Idaho as soon as he got it. He sent it to me because the medal I gave him in May is prominently shown in the photo. He wore it for the entire Iron Man. This is the kind of good pride we have talked about. This is the kind of positive energy this amazing group of people creates. This is the kind of help, hope and strength this group creates. This is why Team Inspiration has made such a HUGE difference to me and to many, many others and will continue to do so. I am truly blessed to be associated with this team.

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace