Race Coverage

Trials & Triumphs...

Tuesday, 14 April 2015 00:10

By Ruth Brennan Morrey (ruthbrennanmorrey.com)

My last training update was in January. Its now April. Much has happened since then, so its time for an update! This post includes two parts: two trials and a triumph. Trial #1 is posted today, while trial #2 (Monterrey 70.3) and THE Brazil 70.3 podium triumph will be posted on Tuesday.  I’ve been fired, I’ve been sick, and I have performed.  This post highlights a sudden change in coaching leadership, the concept of resiliency, and how adversity has challenged my process.

Real Resilience

As many know, I have a PhD in Counseling Psychology, with a minor in Health Psychology. The concept of resilience has always been exceptionally intriguing to me. In fact, resilience and hope was the precise topic of my dissertation. During my academic training, I worked in a rehabilitation unit and helped patients cope with life threatening illnesses, spinal cord injuries, amputations, strokes, and other...

disabilities. My job was to facilitate meaning making, build resilience, and help patients bounce back from adversity. Academically and professionally, I know the term ‘resilience’ quite well. Nothing was more special to me than to gradually witness patients begin to process their traumatic disabilities and diagnoses within a life-propelling framework, and begin to reject the idea that their situations were destined to be life-ending events. My studies were curious about those people who flourished despite negative circumstances. For some, resilience helped transform and reframe their life, take control, and naturally cut out unnecessary garbage that once seemed important. When this process unfolded, joy and opportunity in every day moments transpired. Patients were now able to thrive and enjoy life’s process, as daunting as their path lay before them. This is the essence of resilience. Finding the joy in difficulties and finding new meaning and opportunity. READ MORE