The death of motivation and Star Wars

The death of motivation is akin to the loss of a family member and, in my case, was the result of the loss of many people. Riding my bike was replaced with riding the couch and viewing my current video collection enough times to make George Lucas sell the rights to his Sci-Fi empire, Star Wars.


 Last September, the local outdoor community lost Jeff West, owner/operator of Ace Kayaking School. Jeff was known for his selflessness, compassion for others, and intense dedication to the sport of kayaking and its participants.

This is the memorial service on the Ocoee River following Jeff's death on the Stakine River in Canada. He was remembered by not only his biological family members, but also by his river family.

January witnessed the loss of a dear friend from high school, my former goalie coach, and high school boyfriend. Jason O'Neil Messer had been battling Crohn's disease most of his life. He was an avid soccer player, paddler, biker, and bordering on genius whipped my ass every time we played Trivial Pursuit. But it was not his intellectual prowess that stood out. It was his devout belief in a higher power despite being dealt every bad hand possible. Jason played the cards he was given and played the game to the best of his ability. He helped anyone who needed it never judging them. He, like Jeff, was selfless and sought to locate only the good in people and bring that to the forefront.

I am fortunate to have known two very selfless individuals who were willing to give 100% of themselves--not 50% or even 75%--100% and never complain.

They say everything comes in threes, so in February I lost my favorite little adventure buddy.

Furbie was a stray my Mom found and brought home intending to keep for herself. As soon as I saw him, I knew he was going home with me. I exclaimed to her, "Oh my god, I can't believe you got me a dog!" She reluctantly gave him up, and we soon became inseparable. He refused to succumb to stereotypes and shed his "little yippy dog" persona to join me on "big dog" adventures. Furb, as we called him, was capable of running up to 7 miles during a trailrun or bike ride. If we were going for a long ride, I wore a backpack he could rest in once his little legs pooped out (as you can see above). All of my adventure buddies loved him and treated him as if he were their own.

 Sara Straussberger and Furb at the Ocoee River "Blue Hole."

 Travis Mull and Furb after we just completed the first section of the lower Ocoee River below Dam #1.

Olivia Jenson and Furb chillin' at Tsali Campground in NC.

To my sidekick of 10 years, you will forever be greatly missed. You were a HUGE part of my life and a part of my adventure family as well as my real family. The next dog that comes along will have some BIG, little, doggie shoes to fill.

  This was taken at the Cohutta Springs Triathlon. I am one proud dog parent.

 Furb on an 11 mile hike above the Hiwassee River on the Benton MacKaye trail. This was his last big adventure.

To all of those who are lost, you are not forgotten and will serve as the fuel that fires my motivation.

This summer is going to be great despite all of the holes that are now in need of filling. So I challenge you to push yourselves harder, be better, and motivate others even when you are unable to motivate yourself.

"We can never cease to be ourselves."
— Joseph Conrad (The Secret Agent)