You’ve probably heard the question, ‘what would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?’
But I think a juicier one is:
‘What would you do even if you knew you WOULD fail?’
Because the process itself feels exhilarating?
What flight would be worth a fall?
This conversation with Carolyn Williams, the creator of Zephyr cycling studio in Bozeman, Montana is about creating what your heart demands, creating the thing you wish existed, and the courage it takes to do so, the wrestling match with fear and disqualification and risk, the hustle, and the graces, the flow that carries us as the universe conspires to support the work of our highest intentions.
I’m especially excited for you to meet Carolyn, as I’m leading another Alter Journeys retreat to Montana this June 12-16, and there are still a few spots open. I’ll be teaching indoor cycling journeys at Zephyr and Alter at Foster Creek Farm, our retreat basecamp, in the rolling hills and ranchland just outside Bozeman. I cannot tell you how magical this place is. They call it big sky country for a reason. It expands you. And Bozeman is my new crush. Rustic, smart, secretly sophisticated, mountaineering, foodie town. This will be the third retreat I’m leading there because it’s that magical. In addition to transcendent sweat parties, workshops, and gorgeous meals, we’ll spend a day in the wilderness of Yellowstone. You can find details at https://www.nicolemeline.com/retreats – or on the shownotes to this episode at altertogether.com, and you can get a glimpse of past retreat magic on instagram @alterjourneys. I’d love for you to join the tribe in Montana, or on another retreat this year. Bali, Tuscany, Mexico, and Patagonia are on the horizon.
Frederick Buechner writes that vocation is ‘where the fountain of your joy meets the well of the world’s need’. So the sweet spot, the most satisfying work in our own personal zone of genius, vibration of calling, is this cocktail of bliss and service. Not that bliss is without hustle. This conversation is focused on the oscillation between hustle and flow, that moment when they combine, cross-fertilize into a mode that feels like operating in full power. Optimal being. It’s where fire meets zen, for you.
We happen to be talking about Carolyn’s journey to create Zephyr, but there’s big, broad questions at play, that apply to creation and business, enterprises, and leadership of any kind. Carolyn and I talk about building invaluable businesses that are extensions of our heartspace.
Balancing hustle and flow as an entrepreneur
Defining success, Redefining the bottom line, and measuring our lives by the metric of joy
Cultivating collaboration over competition with people working in the same space
Creating a body-soul playground
And songs that have been lanterns on Carolyn’s (and my) journey
So, join the conversation with Carolyn Williams…
I’d love to hear what this conversation stirred in you, so let’s talk on social media, or leave a comment or question on the episode show notes pages on altertogether.com. And, as usual, look out for the guided meditation episode that accompanies this conversation to drop you into your heart this week, and sit with some of the questions we raised.
I hope you’re inspired to begin the flights that are worth a fall.
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