A vertical drop of 18 metres. Next drop, four metres. Then plummet another 48 metres. A total of 70 vertical metres, all while leaning back at a 90 degree angle! Abseiling, anyone? Oh yeah, bring it on!
Adrenaline sports used to totally freak me out but since completing the Face Your Fears challenge on my series and jumping from a cliff into the sea in Hawaii, I’ve gone from being scared of heights to “let’s jump out of a plane”!
Shannon’s lust for life
I want to take some time in this blog to acknowledge Shannon, the contestant. A little while ago I had the chance to visit Camp Biggest Loser to watch and listen to this current group of contestants and, to be honest, I didn’t think Shannon would get very far. I felt that his attitude and excuses would prevent him from moving forward.
However, there has been a real change in him over the past week and in last night’s episode Shannon discovered life! As he said, his mates and girlfriend will struggle to believe that he has abseiled! Well, let’s face it: this is a man who, just over two months ago, was unable to walk 500 metres. This is exactly what I travel around the country speaking about – the importance of the mind. As trainer Shannan said, “Your well-tuned bodies are capable of doing this. However, it will be the mind that gets you there.”
It’s truly been an honour to watch Shannon discover life and how wonderful it can be. Before The Biggest Loser he didn’t really exist and now… now, he is living. To hear Shannon say, “If this is what living life feels like, I’m ashamed I’ve missed it for 24 years” was amazing. Shannon, don’t be ashamed – that’s the old you. Stand tall and be proud of the person you have found inside of you – he was just waiting to be discovered.
The strength in Lisa
Lisa reminds me a little of me… although I didn’t cry quite that much! She is strong and determined but she never really knew she had those qualities until now. Like Lisa, when I entered The Biggest Loser I truly believed all I needed to do was lose a little bit of weight and everything would be perfect. And, just like Lisa, I soon realised there was much more to it.
Lisa has discovered she can do many amazing things that she would never have backed herself to do before. She has discovered she is mentally strong and very disciplined and, most of all, that she is worthy. As I have said from day one, my money would be on Lisa to take home the title… if I was a betting person, that is!
I’m looking forward to tonight. High places, jumping and the sea: there’s something about that combination that is very familiar to me!
Believe in yourself,
Ali x
Video Highlight
Shannon starts to really believe in himself…