Finding Flow on Two Wheels: How Letting Go Translates to Life

Anyone out there on Strava? I am 🙋‍♀️, but not for the normal competitive reasons a regular athlete may choose. I've never been one to really care how good I am compared to others at athletic endeavors. I kind of assume I'm the bottom of the leaderboard, or better said, entrants-board. The only reason I really use Strava is so I can record where I've ridden, my mileage, and elevation gain. I will admit to occasionally looking at my medals. You see as an entrant-only-athlete a medal seems like a very far fetched goal, so I kind of get a chuckle out of the notion, and I'm always a bit surprised when I see medals next to my name.

Now just because I am not a leaderboard seeking athlete doesn't preclude me from setting BHAG (big hairy audacious goals) for myself. Last summer I signed up to race the Point to Point which for even the leaderboard seekers is one heck of an ambitious 77 mile, 12,00 ft mountain bike ride on 99% single track. I trained my little hiney off all summer long.  I finished a 54 mile training race which turned into all I could handle as my BHAG goal for the summer and tucked the Point 2 Point ambition in my back pocket for a later date. I was 100% certain that was the right decision, I needed to improve my downhill times or I simply would not make the cut-off (and when I say think the point to point will be a 1 and done, I mean I KNOW it will be a 1 and done).

This summer I settled into my comfortable casual riding status with too many obligations to really train for a BIG (HAG) race.  And yet, moments after a ride medals appeared on my Strava feed, I clicked on the shiny objects only to see a PR (personal record) on every damn downhill I rode all summer long.  🙀  I clearly was not trying or even striving for this, I had very happily slipped back into "ain't no shame in walking", "ride how you feel", "I'm just out here for the views" mode and I certainly was not attempting PRs. Yet PR after PR after PR kept appearing on my entrant-only-athlete Strava feed.

What the heck?  One ride I decided I would figure out why I was getting faster on the downhill when I wasn't even trying.  I got to the peak of my climb, rounded toward the downhill and shifted my focus to observing what I was doing to keep getting faster and faster on the downhill.  I noticed a subtle smile on my face, a sense of total relaxation and timelessness, a feeling of ownership, and fun, I was having a blast.  As I evaluated these feelings, what came up was interesting, shocking, and actually somewhat miraculous.  I think I had figured out flow on a mountain bike.  

Flow as defined by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi is a state of concentration and engagement that occurs when someone is completely absorbed in an activity that they find enjoyable.  He goes further to say that:

• It is a balance between skill and challenge
• It creates a sense of accomplishment that lasts after the task is completed
• It is a mastery of fears and insecurities

All of these things were exactly what was happening on my mountain bike, completely unintentionally.  While I love Mihaly's definition of flow, what I think really happened to me this summer on my mountain bike, is I released the vice grip of control on this one little tiny facet of my life, and in this state of complete and utter letting go I found flow.  And in this flow state I completely crushed the low expectations I have for myself with any athletic endeavor.  I released all fears of consequence.  I found a state that gives me a rip-roaring-hang-onto-your-knickers kind of high that even the strongest of mind-altering "products" can't touch.  And all I did was let go.

It wasn't a weekend clinic, a private riding lesson, a youtube video, or more hours at the gym.  It wasn't a hydration level or a special nutrition program.  It didn't even involve broken bones or wounded skin.  It cost zero dollars, zero focus, and zero over-thinking of anything.  In fact, to achieve medal after medal on Strava, which is really just a reflection of getting a lot faster on my mountain bike, all I had to do was let go (and flow)!   

And so now I'm addicted.  What other vice grips can I release?  What in my day-to-day can I let go of?  How do I repeat this state of flow in all facets on my life?  And when I figure it out don't worry, I will certainly bottle it up and share.  Stay tuned.  In the meantime, let's be Strava buddies!

Here's to life less toxic!

Live free,
Dana

🫶

Favorite Product Du Jour

True Botanicals Phyto Retinol Anti-Aging Body Cream  I'm a sucker for skincare for my face, but rarely splurge on anything for my body.  This one has changed that permanently.  Just a few pumps covers a set of extremities and I'm already noticing more youthful hands, arms and the skin above my knees not to mention décolleté and other beautiful body parts.

What I'm Testing

Purity Flow Coffee.  Coffee is a staple in our home & yet it is a significant source of toxins.  From mold and pesticides in the beans to the plastic that gets heated well over a safe enough temperature to prevent leaching of petroleum.  Ironically "Flow" is their medium roast bean it goes beyond just organic, they use regenerative practices, are bird-friendly, and they test and publish certificates of myco-toxin and mold testing.  COMING SOON!!!

What I'm Reading

The Pivot Year by Brianna Wiest.  I loved The Mountain is You and this one is just as impactful.  A daily dose literally sets my day off with positive vibes and new perspectives.

Friends of Free Living Co

We are bringing on some of our favorite friends to contribute meaningful and impactful content on a regular basis.  Meet Elizabeth!  You'll see more from her tomorrow, but in the meantime, say "hi" HERE.