IGNITE Her Comeback Spirit

By Shayla A

Our spirit is our inner self that is driven by our morals and intuition.  It guides our conscious with inner knowing and provides a connection to something bigger than us.  Our spirit is our advocate, comforter, and counselor.  It strengthens, helps, and supports us through struggles, challenges, and adversity.  We build up our spirit, we build up our character.  We build up our character, we enhance our relationships.  We enhance our relationships, we empower our teams!  In this episode of IGNITE, we are discussing how to IGNITE the comeback spirit.

When we ignite something, we essentially set it on fire and create an action- literally and metaphorically.   We ignite with a spark, that inflames the substance that needs fuel to flourish.  Think about passion and purpose.  Both require a “fuel” to thrive.  Both bring forth and pull energy towards themselves to keep growing and flourishing.  The spirit within us cheers for our passion.  It guides our purpose.  We strengthen our spirit in every moment of every practice.  We strengthen our girls’ spirits in every moment of every practice and in moments outside of practice.  Our spirit is empowered when we see the struggles and challenges our team overcomes on 5K Race Day.  Not only the physical challenges, but the emotional, mental, and social challenges as well.  Making new friends is really uncomfortable for some.  Participating in team activities with girls older than you and younger than you can be frustrating and scary.  Exercising in a group can bring feelings of insecurity and embarrassment.  We strengthen our girls’ spirit in six ways that are infused into every moment we have with them.  Here they are:

1. We practice MINDFULNESS and SELF-REFLECTION through our discussions, journaling, warm-ups, and stretching.  I was at a practice the other day and was reminded how important the warm-up and stretching is for our mental health and physical health.  Warming up and stretching on a training day or before a race is meditative.  The counting, the breathing in, the breathing out, the positive affirmations are forms of mindfulness meditation.  Before I start any walk or run, I hear myself say “Okay, you got this.”  Sometimes it is quiet and sometimes it has to be loud.  Either way, taking a heart moment is supportive and strengthens the spirit.

2. We foster SUPPORTIVE CONNECTIONS as we council our team’s friendships and encourage bold sharing and listening.  We support and become an intercessor as we model and coach friendship conflict resolution.  We are building up their spirit by bonding them to new teammates, friends, and role models.  

3. We are CULTIVATING CHORE CHARACTER TRAITS at every practice.  We are building resilience, gratitude, and courage by exploring our emotions and cultivating a safe space for the exploration of those emotions.  Providing breather breaks, water breaks, etc. encourages mental, emotional, and physical resets.  This is practicing self-care, self-awareness, and self-preservation.  Think of the last time you felt uncomfortable in a situation.  Taking a quick water break at the water fountain in the other room helped soothe any nervousness.  Think about the last time someone said something very innocently, but it was very offensive to you.  The deep breath in and quiet slow release out was enough to keep it peaceful in the room.  The spirit is soothed, encouraged, and strengthened in every water break, activity break, and breather break.

4. We show up at every practice ready to TAKE INTENTIONAL ACTION to empower the girls, our coaches, the team, and ourselves.  We learn better habits to overcome new obstacles.  We dedicate our time, energy, and care to uplifting and encouraging each other.  We set goals as a team and as individuals.  Intentional action ignites the spirit and enflames the passion and purpose of each other and the community.

5. We EMBRACE ADVERSITY.  Each day we live has challenges.  Our brains, bodies, and emotions face challenges every single moment.  Our brain decides just how challenging each challenge is for us.  What your brain says is challenging, my brain may say the opposite.  What is important is how we accept the adversity, how we encumber the struggle, and emblaze the challenge.  We foster spaces in every practice that encourages asking for help and supporting each other.  Our energy awards celebrate the challenges and the strength in our spirit!

6. We NOURISH our spirit with our “why.”  The why found in our bold heart team moving forward, conquering challenges, crossing finish lines.  Her why is found in her bold heart community that advocates on weak days, comforts on tough days, and supports all the way to the end.  Ignite the passion and fuel the why with purpose and power.  The nourished spirit will soar!

Our comeback spirit is our advocate when we are quiet.  It is our comforter when we are hurting.  It intercedes when we are defeated and strengthens when we are weak.  Our spirit provides council in times of distress and help when we are struggling.  Our comeback spirit is the fan club that every person desires to have rooting, hooting, and hollering for her as she shows up every day to fight the day’s challenges!  Ignite her comeback spirit this season and see how big and far the blaze spreads!

Shayla A is the Coach Mentor for Girls on the Run Greater Kansas City.  Her background comes from the classroom, coaching, day treatment schools, wellness, and advocating for children with special needs.  She enjoys empowering and advocating for girls and coaches 

in every challenge and celebration.  Connect with her for support and assistance this season via call, text, or email.  shaylaaranda@gmail.com | 816-284-9770  

RESOURCE LIST TO IGNITE HERS and YOURS COMEBACK SPIRIT:

The Obstacle is The Way by Ryan Holiday.

The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz

Character Strengths and Virtues by Peterson & Seligman

TO WATCH A VIDEO ON HOW TO IGNITE HER COMEBACK SPIRIT: