Have you ever done something you never thought you could do? Was it planned or unexpected? Each of us have had to do things that we necessarily did not want to or plan to – but yet we still completed the task.  Yes it may have surprised us and we may have been either perplexed for a while (or unable to walk in my case). Some of the time these are life changing experiences that have been drawn (or sometimes pulled) out of us that we did not know was inside of us.

My example was climbing Camelback Mountain in Scottsdale during my #ScottsdaleInvasion. Even a trip to a Scottsdale Spa could not save me! At the recommendation of the Canyon Suites concierge, I decided a little fresh air during a brisk hike would be good for me. Well this was no hike – it was a full fledge mountain climb up the hardest path all the way to the peak! That day I shed the barrier about what I thought I was capable of doing.

What is your Barrier? Tweet me @SpaTravelGal Let’s #GetOUTThere #MyAdventure

Now think of that moment that you had that type of event – if you can’t think of anything  and you are a mom – have you ever had to go to more than one children’s birthday party in one day? That is definitely a life-changing event, but you lived though it! You shed a barrier and I bet you could do it again.

Think of it this way – no matter what the task – it made you more interesting. I used to think that was not a compliment – but many use that term now for me…..so I am taking it as a one now!

Everyone see tasks differently.  Let me tell you about someone that has a much different viewpoint on the task at hand.

Nature Valley has partnered up with Erik Weihenmayer to encourage people to shed a barrier and get out there! They have ask me to  to share Erik’s motivational story and to spread the positive message of getting out there and living life! This is a sponsored post, but it is all my own viewpoints.  After you hear about how Erik broke down barriers you will agree too. First…

Meet Erik:

Erik is the only blind adventurer to climb to the seven highest summits in the world. His latest expedition? To kayak the Grand Canyon’s Colorado River!  Hummm – I bet your time at Chuck E Cheese isn’t sounding so bad now….

•      He and fellow blind adventurer, Lonnie Bedwell, will be the first blind adventurers to attempt this enormous feat.
•      This expedition serves to inspire people to not limit themselves, eliminate barriers in their lives and live life to its fullest.
•       Nature Valley is joining Erik Weihenmayer in inviting people to pledge to get out there and live a No Barriers Life.

The Expedition Facts

•      The “No Barriers Grand Canyon Expedition” is a 21-day, 277 mile journey through some of the world’s most challenging whitewater terrain in the Colorado River.
•      Erik Weihenmayer will be supported by an experienced paddling team, and joined by accomplished kayaker and Navy veteran Lonnie Bedwell.  Together, Erik and Lonnie will demonstrate the power of harnessing inner strength to overcome challenging barriers.
•      Preparation for the Expedition has been extensive, with both Weihenmayer and Bedwell spending the last several years training and developing innovative systems for kayaking rapids with support from high-tech radios and verbal commands from river guides.

·      The trip will begin on September 7 at Lees Ferry, nine miles south of the Arizona-Utah border. Erik and his team expect to complete the expedition on or around September 28 at Pearce Ferry, which marks the boundary between Lake Mead and the Grand Canyon.

Here is what you can do!

On Tumblr? Go here http://naturevalley.tumblr.com/tagged/nobarriers

Want to take it to the next level? Take the No Barriers Pledge

•      As a founding member of No Barriers USA, Weihenmayer advocates for the organization’s mission to empower people with the message, “what’s within you is stronger than what’s in your way.”
•      You can join Nature Valley and Weihenmayer in the goal of encouraging one million people to live a No Barriers Life by visiting http://www.nobarriersusa.org/take-the-pledge/ today.

Both Nature and Nature Valley can inspire you and give you the needed energy to break barriers.

Thank you to Nature Valley for helping us all get out of our comfort zone and break down barriers holding us back!

•    Nature Valley has a long history of commitment to nature, outdoor activities and the national parks.
•      The brand finds inspiration from the beauty of nature and the way people connect with nature – whether that’s from a fearless adventure like those undertaken by Weihenmayer or an everyday hike.
•      It’s Nature Valley’s belief that experiencing nature enables people to feel most alive and Weihenmayer is a great demonstration of our belief.