I was feeling hopeless.
I could not see a way forward; I had to make a leap.
My divorce was a devastating breakup which became the catalyst for life-changing adventures.
Credit:Courtesy of Lisa Niver
Each challenge pushed my limits a bit more and to tell the truth, it wasnt easy.
I quit countless times, but I ultimately found personal growth, resilience, and confidence.
I went from heartbreak to triumph on my journey by healing my mind, body, and soul.
Courtesy of Lisa Niver
I believed I was just clumsy.
In fact, I had eye issues which were not diagnosed until my divorce.
I committed to a year of vision therapy at 47, while mostly everyone else there was seven.
Courtesy of Lisa Niver
Many of my challenges involved trying athletic things again … with quite a few lessons and tears.
Growing up, I skied but had never felt confident on the mountain.
It was a true highlight toski at Deer Valleywith Fuzz Feddersen, the Olympic aerialist.
Courtesy of Lisa Niver
Not only did he guide me all around the mountain, but he also complimented my skiing abilities.
I refused to even consider it.
As a child, I landed in the hospital after an accident and believed that I hated biking.
Courtesy of Lisa Niver
When my friend offered to do it with me, I reconsidered.
Mountain biking at Northstar Lake Tahoe turned out to be my proudest moment.
I was scared (actually, terrified).
I wore so much padding and armor that my father could not pick me out in the photos.
The team said I was doing well.
For me, it was a win to even agree to a lesson.
I slept in my jersey that night, I was so proud.
I had played one of the oldest sports in the world.
Walking in the forest with a bird of prey on my hunting glove was unbelievable.
Someone trusted me with Joyce, a six-year-old Harris hawk.
I listened carefully to Tommys instructions and sent Joyce into the sky.
She sailed away and came right back for the treat that Tommy added to my glove.
Next up, I had a lesson in skeet shooting from another Olympian, David O’Loughlin.
He taught me about the clay pigeons, the rifle, and how to shoot.
With his excellent instruction, I was able to hit most of my targets.
Dr. Brodney was right, if I worked on my eyes, I would be better at sports.
My visual retraining paid off and my eyes were so much better.
As a precocious reader, one year my mom sent me with a book about Darwins expeditions.
I had waited for decades (since that fateful summer camp!)
to see my first blue footed boobies.
My favorite thing about traveling is that there is always more to discover than I originally imagined.
Everyone talks about how nature can heal the soul.
Its true: I lived it.
Leaving my marriage was not a failure; staying would have been a failure to take care of myself.
I truly believe in the transformative power of travel.
For me, returning to travel after leaving my husband and Asia helped me heal and grow.
Seeing life even briefly from someone elses perspective truly helped me recalibrate and re-evaluate my life moving forward.
I met remarkable individuals who believed in me even when I did not believe in myself.
I found inspiration and a renewed zest for life.
