WHY Do We Do IT?
I have shared my stories with you on my blog. I want you to have an understanding about what I have gone through with hopes to inspire. I’ve learned a lot overcoming this last injury.
If you haven’t followed my story check out my unplugged blog series;
- VALUES blog shares what I learned as I had time to reflect.
- GET TO KNOW YOURSELF blog takes you though my journey from Sochi to now.
- This one sharing WHY RISK IT? Gives you a look at barriers that get in our way.
As I said in my last blog I couldn’t be happier, after a long time with concussion symptoms I can finally say that I’m back! Symptom free and loving every minute on my board. Being back on my board was a huge goal of mine since my crash in Sochi 2014. Today I’m happy to share another goal of mine with you.
WHAT MAKES YOU SMILE?
At last I have a huge smile back on my face it’s been missing the last year and a half!
I have the honor of riding for Whistler Blackcomb as an athlete and as part of their Ski or Ride with an Olympian Program.
Now that I’m back on my snowboard I’ve had the great opportunity to share World Snowboard Day 2016 with the world from Whistler Blackcomb riding the fresh snow watch here. I have also been on photo shoots with Whistler locals Mike Crane and Paul Morrison.
WHAT ARE CONCUSSION SYMPTOMS?
Lets get real, everyone who sustains a concussion experiences different symptoms. The first time you get one it might be; headaches and dizziness. The second time your symptoms could be completely different; nausea and irritability.
This concussion came with a whole set of different symptoms than I had experienced before. For a full list of different concussion symptoms you anc check it out here.
My concussion sustained in Sochi 2014 came with a lot of symptoms here are a few;
Fatigue- Irritability
- Foggy
- headaches
- Nausea
- Pressure in Head
- Dizziness
- Blurred Vision
- Balance Problems
- Sensitivity to Light
- Sensitivity to Noise
- Feeling Slowed Down
- Didn’t feel Right
- Difficulty Concentrating
- More Emotional
This past October, after working with a lot of different Doctors, being patient with myself and taking the time to heal, I’m proud to say that I’ve finally pushed through and am feeling great back on my board.
WOULD YOU GET BACK UP?
Something stayed with me since my crash, I would regret not trying. I knew I wanted to get back up, back into the halfpipe. I knew I would get back into the halfpipe. Thing is I had no idea what would happen. Not knowing when the time would be right, not knowing when my body would be ready, physically and most of all mentally.
Getting back into the halfpipe the thing that took me out was something I had to do for me.
Knowing how small goals make HUGE goals achievable I was on the path to get back in the pipe.
Don’t for a second thing I wasn’t scared, I was but this quote sums it up
As I said in my VALUES blog I have
- Determination
- Patience
- Perseverance
- Strength
- Motivation
RISK EQUALS REWARD
March 2015
Exhaustion and fatigue took over. I still had concussion symptoms I pushed through the pain. I was mentally strong wanting to achieve this goal of getting back into the halfpipe but I wasn’t ready. I needed more time to heal my brain and build up my muscles again. So I waited and worked hard.
October 16th 2015
This was the day my symptoms cleared. Time to work even harder time to get physically strong. I spent the rest of October, November and December putting in the time that was necessary in the gym and on hill getting my snow legs back at Whistler Blackcomb and the Richmond Oval.
Battling fear and doubt are never easy. The mental game is something we all battle. We can all get physically ready with hard work but being mentally ready is a whole other game. Overcoming your fears pushing yourself is something you and you alone can get through.
December 2016
Deep down I knew I it was time and on January 07th 2016 I was determined I drove myself to Calgary to test the waters in the perfectly cut, private halfpipe at Winsport. I couldn’t have asked for a better place to get back into the halfpipe. Sharing the pipe with friends on the Canadian National Halfpipe Ski Team, HalfpipeCAN team mate Katie Tsuyuki, friends Louie Vito and Shaun White.
Winsport January 2016
I was unsure of how this was going to go with the help and support of my snowboard family and friends it was a great success. A lot of barriers to break through but I’m happy to say that once again I am at home on a snowboard and in the halfpipe.
People define snowboarding as fun I think there’s so much more to it than that. This trip is what snowboarding is, being around friends, challenging ourselves, overcoming mental challenges, getting out of our comfort zones, remembering to celebrate the small goals achieved. It was an emotional roller coaster for me, but I couldn’t be happier. Tears of joy streamed out as I overcame those mental barriers. I never thought I could feel more comfortable in the halfpipe than I did at the end of the week.
People can think what they want; I’m crazy for getting back into it, but if you ask me
I love to smile, I love to snowboard, I love a challenge, I love my friends, I love inspiring, I love sharing my passion and I love to compete.
How could anyone or anything stop me from doing that?
I’m so grateful and appreciate all my friends that have helped me through the way with their advice and being sound boards. Without their help I know I wouldn’t be back in the pipe.
Why Risk It?
I am back on my board, I am back in the pipe, I will compete again (something I didn’t even know until a couple days ago).
Please Believe in yourself.
xoxo
Mercedes
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