Disclosure: I only recommend products/services I would use myself and feel might benefit you as well. This post contains affiliate links, and I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
As I was flying through the air gripping the handlebars as hard as I could with my feet off the footboards behind me as a six-year-old in front of stands full of people, it hit me that I had no idea how I would land. Somehow, in what felt like an eternity later, the snowmobile landed with my body back in a seated position and my feet firmly planted. I put the throttle back to the handlebar and continued the race as the crowd full of people started cheering.
As I crossed the finish line, all I could think was that I was going to be in trouble when I got back to the race trailer because I had hit the tabletop jump too hard and actually caught air rather than just cresting the hill and staying on the ground like the other racers. However, when I got back, my mom gave me a big hug and cheered me on for completing the Superman stunt that the famous Blair Morgan was known for. Oh…. I was not expecting that. I didn’t realize I had done that. She asked if I’d heard everyone cheering me, and I had said no. In that moment of realizing I’d completed something I would’ve never thought possible, my mood went from anxiety to strength.
Fearlessness and presence as a child
Here’s the thing. As a child, you haven’t learned to be scared, worried, or anxious about as many things yet. You are more present in the moment rather than worrying about so many different people and priorities. And there’s no better way for those qualities to manifest themselves than through the world of powersports.
I started driving a Kitty Cat (little snowmobile) at the age of one and started driving a dirt bike with training wheels pretty much as soon as I started riding a bicycle with training wheels. My mom and I rode together all the time after school and on the weekends.
As a child, I was just out there having fun and following my mom around. I knew I needed to be careful and respect the vehicle and listen to my mom, but I didn’t worry too much. In fact, sometimes being a little more cautious would’ve served me well.
For example, one time when my mom and I were riding snowmobiles, there was a fresh coat of fluffy snow, and we were almost back home when she pointed at a small hill and made the slow down motion to me. I, however, was convinced even after watching her that this small hill was just a mound of snow that I’d be able to plow through. I was wrong. I hit the hill a little too fast with the wrong expectations, and the sled went flying one way and I went flying the other. Before anyone panics, I was totally fine. My mom came to check on me (because I’m pretty sure she knew I’d do this), and we got back on and finished the ride home.
As a child, I didn’t think much of these things. As an adult, I would’ve taken the opposite approach and exercised caution over ego. As a child, fear and worry didn’t ever really creep into my mind when riding. I was having fun, I was well-equipped, and I trusted my mom to not put me in dangerous situations.
While riding was fun, exciting, and adventurous, it was also a very powerful way to teach me a lot of lessons such as awareness, getting up when you fall down, and respect for others and nature.
When you fall, you learn how to get back up
One of the most obvious but also most powerful of these lessons is getting back on the vehicle after you’ve fallen off. You’ve already seen that demonstrated in the story above where I got a little too overzealous. That time it was easier to get back on because I hadn’t fallen so hard, and we were almost home anyways.
However, one time, my mom and I were riding dirt bikes at dusk through an open field on our way back home for the day. Per usual, I was riding behind my mom for her to blaze the trail. She again pointed at the ground. She was trying to point out a large field stone to me so that I wouldn’t hit it, but I didn’t see it in time. I hit the field stone head on and flipped forwards over the handlebars of my dirt bike. Already having known this was a possibility, my mom came to check on me. I was again fine because I had my helmet, chest protector, and other protective gear on. This fall was a little harder and more dramatic than some of my other falls though, and I didn’t want to get back on to ride back.
Knowing it was going to be dark soon, my mom knew that I not only had to get back on so that I wouldn’t be afraid but that time was also of the essence. A couple minutes later she had convinced me to get back on the bike and finish the ride home. While I was still a bit shaken, the point is that I got back on and finished the ride without any further incidents. More than that, I wasn’t afraid to go riding again afterwards.
Powersports are potentially the most obvious visualization of “fall down six times, get up seven.” You are bound to get knocked off sometimes until you learn your limits, and each time you get back up, you gain more strength and confidence in yourself to overcome adversity. If you want additional perspective on this, I recommend The Power of One More by Ed Mylett (links to Hardcover and Kindle).
More responsibility slowly starts to creep in
As you get older and go through more of these experiences, you not only start to learn your limits but you also have to learn those within the context of more power. Growing up means moving on to bigger, heavier vehicles with more horsepower. This is analogous to life as well. As we grow older, we start to gain more meaningful responsibilities and have an impact on a greater number of people.
As responsibility increases in both arenas, we learn to be more cautious. In the world of powersports, we’re not full throttle into the turns, we’re more diligent of ice heaves or big waves, and we watch out for other less experienced riders in the group. As the responsibilities increase, the consequences of wrong moves also increase. Your respect for the vehicle and the sport needs to increase proportionately to the increase in power, otherwise you may not be riding for long.
The same premise holds in life. As our responsibility for ourselves and those around us increases, we need to increase our respect for the impact that our decisions make on both us and those around us. In the game of life, it isn’t the same as just letting off the gas a bit more coming into a tight turn, and as such, this usually results in overthinking, anxiety, and perfectionism that prevent us from being present in the moment and experiencing true happiness.
Striking the balance is key
All this being said, what riding powersports since a young age has taught me is that striking a balance is the key. You can’t go about your life recklessly without having a care in the world because the consequences of that will be dire for both you and those around you. You need to have respect and responsibility towards this incredible life that you and those around you have been given to live out your purpose.
However, you also can’t live life scared, never willing to take that risk, and only living with the worries of the future or memories of the past. Taking that calculated leap of faith may be one of the greatest actions that you take in your life to positively impact yourself and others. Furthermore, it’s important to have fun, enjoy the moment, and take in the scenery.
When you think about it from this perspective, life and powersports really aren’t all that different. Here’s my key lessons learned from growing up with and still being surrounded by powersports.
1. Balancing responsibility and courage will take you far
Striking the balance of responsibility and courage is key. Harnessing the courage to take calculated risks and be present in moments that bring you joy could change your life. It’s also important, however, to keep a balance of respect and responsibility for the power you have in creating a life that you love.
No different from upgrading to a higher horsepower to take that more adventurous trip while still respecting the power of the vehicle.
2. Getting back in the driver’s seat after a setback will be scary but ultimately beneficial
Getting on the bike after wiping out can be scary, but the sooner you overcome that fear and get back on, the sooner you can go back to the joy and freedom of riding. The same thing is true of life. It can be scary to get back into a certain aspect of life whether it’s career, relationships, or some other area, after experiencing a setback. However, the sooner you can re-frame the experience and create a safe space in your mind to get back to something you love, the greater benefits of joy, strength, and freedom you’ll get to experience.
3. Harnessing your inner child may lead you to accomplish what you never thought possible
By remembering to embrace our inner child that isn’t afraid of failure or what other people think, we can accomplish what we never thought possible. Sometimes just starting the race will allow you the opportunity to try something new, test the limits, and surprise yourself.
If you’re interested in learning how to better channel this joy, strength, and freedom in your life, contact me through my website jamiedykstra.com/ using the button below or message me on Instagram @jamiedykstracreates. I also invite you to subscribe to my email communications for additional content using the button below.
Disclosure: I only recommend products/services I would use myself and feel might benefit you as well. This post contains affiliate links, and I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Disclaimer: This blog should not be construed as providing, or intending to provide, professional financial, legal, psychological, or other professional advice. It is simply meant to share my experiences for those that may find them relatable and helpful.
Caution: If operating motorized vehicles of any sort, it is important to be properly equipped, follow all operating instructions, exercise caution, and follow all applicable laws.