Turning the big 4 0!

I turned forty this month, FORTY!! It still feels wild seeing that on paper, out loud in the world. It felt MASSIVE and also non descript all at the same time. A milestone yes, but also just another day. A weird mix of emotions that I couldn't quite verbalise. There’s all the Emily’s before this 40 year old Emily that can’t quite believe she is now the one hitting this decade. An age that seems impossibly old as a 16 year old, still miles away as a 30 year old but speeds ever closer as late 30’s hit. FORTY! And through the disbelief of reaching it, it also feels like coming home. Inevitable if we’re lucky and I do feel lucky. Welcomed in by those women who have arrived there before me, there’s a beautiful sense of camaraderie and I’m excited to see what this decade holds! 

But also like FORTY, WTF!

I chose to celebrate it by climbing my first mountain in Switzerland. I figured ticking a peak off would make it a pretty momentous day although a 4am wake up to watch the UFC first didn’t really prepare me too well. Lying on the sofa half asleep at 10am I ummed and ahhed for a little while before Liam’s casual “come on, let’s just see how far we get” comment got my butt in gear. 1600m of ascent later we had made it to the top, the most I’ve ever climbed in a day. The last couple of hundred metres fuelled purely by the knowledge of a sandwich, can of coke and birthday maltesers waiting for me in my backpack! Views for days, oh it felt incredible to be up there. That was until I remembered there’s the coming down bit. 6 hours after we started we made it home, heading straight to the lake to dunk our tired, swollen feet exhausted but feeling very accomplished. 

At the top of Federispitz - our first Swiss Mountain Peak

But you know what was really great, never once did I question if I had the fitness to do it - and I’m far from my fittest now. I just knew I was capable. I knew it might not be quick, or painless and I certainly knew it wouldn’t be easy but I 100% knew that walking up that mountain was doable for me and that in itself was a HUGE reminder of my “why” when it comes to health and fitness.

Hitting 40 reaffirms that why even further - although I don’t feel 40 (what is 40 supposed to feel like anyway?!) there is a sense of getting older and time being even more precious. A recognition that the years are passing and I don’t want to waste them. There’s a million other mountains to climb as well as waves to chase, pow days to experience, parks to skate and I plan to be doing allllll of that and more until…. well who knows!

Side story - Years ago, my mum bought be a book called “Go Girl”. It was a gift to accompany me on my 10 month around the world trip and has been my loyal travel companion ever since. One of my most treasured possessions it includes beautiful words from mum squeezed into any available space, written at certain life milestones (quitting my London job and heading into the unknown, going on my first winter season and most recently, moving to Switzerland) alongside inspirational quotes that have a way of lighting a fire in you when needed. One of those quotes says…

“When a great adventure is offered, you don’t refuse it.”

I think about that quote a lot. Life for me is alllll about the adventures. Big, small, the unknown of a day out there - living! I aspire to be (and hope I am on the most part) a “hell yeah” kinda girl when an adventure is offered. But to be that kind of person I recognise now more than ever that prioritising my health and well being is a must. It’s not a nice to do, it’s not a “if I have time”, it has to be a non negotiable in my week. That doesn’t mean it’ll always be perfect or I’ll always achieve everything I set out to do - but it does mean it always needs to be in my minds eye. There needs to be a dedicated focus and a plan because for me staying what I like to call “adventure ready” is so important in living the best, most fulfilled life I can.

So back to my “why.” I realised it’s written on those pages that I read for the first time soooo many years ago. “Because when a great adventure is offered, you don’t refuse it.” I never want something to be a no because “I’m not fit/strong/capable enough.” I want to be the “I’m in” girl. Nervous maybe, scared a little but ready to get stuck in to whatever that thing may be. Because I can. Because I’m capable. Mentally and physically strong enough to give it a bloody good go! My why is wanting to be ready for all the adventures I’m yet to have, for the chapters yet to be written and the sweet promise of those perfect moments in time doing things I love, with the people I love. Cup overflowing with the good stuff. I’m beyond grateful to this little body of mine for where it’s taken me. What it’s allowed me to experience, learn and do so far. But I still feel like I’m just getting started and I definitely don’t plan on slowing down anytime soon. Supporting my mind and body the best I can - so they can support me the best they can - well really it’s the least I can do.

And there in lies the reason for Mocean Fit - because I want to help YOU be “adventure ready” too. Whether that’s ready for surfing adventures, snowboarding adventures, skating adventures or just life adventures… I want to help you be confident in your “YES” response when an adventure is offered! If you feel like your YES is more of a NO at the moment then please stick around - I’m only just getting started with this too and there’s lots of exciting things on the horizon! X

And if you’d like to start working with me right now, you can find more info HERE

Bring it on FORTY!