On Monday of this past week, Cycling Coach Nicole Freedman, Diabetes Coach Marcey Robinson and I, worked with Sara Prevost, National Tour de Cure Director and Keith Prevost, film maker, to make a few videos for Tour de Cure cyclists with diabetes. An educational video that all Red Riders will get once they are registered for a Tour de Cure ride in the USA.
This is the little promo video we made to encourage people with diabetes to become a Red Rider. Please share this with anyone you think would like to ride their bike to Stop Diabetes!
Have you ever had a big dream? Have you ever wanted to contribute something to the world? You know, something that will make the world a better place? Have you ever felt called from your toes to the top of your head to do a particular something? Something that is so strong, on some days you wonder, “How will this crazy idea actually play out?”
If you can relate to any of these questions, then you can relate to what has been compelling me for the past 18 months or so. After I was diagnosed with breast cancer the second time in July 2010, and I successfully made it through treatments, I felt a burning need within myself to actually DO something with the little bit of time we each have in a lifetime.
I had conceived of the Red Riders and started Team Red and it had grown and many others had taken the original concept and exploded the original vision to a beautiful, grand scale. Special thanks to Sara, Mike, the Kens, Bob, Nicole P, Tami and all the others who believed and got behind it.
But the question still remained for me, “How do people with diabetes, both type 2 and type 1, actually successfully gain the complex knowledge and confidence to exercise, train for, and participate in, these cycling events and other endurance athletic events?”
I have been grappling with this question for years. It haunts and disturbs me that the western medicine model doesn’t allow for much, if any, integration between athletics and medicine. And that patients, me and you, rarely can get the instruction and education to gain the tools to exercise and train with profound confidence.
Profound confidence. Yes, that’s what compels me to stay up late and work on compiling the TeamWILD training plans. It’s the desire to create in the participants and members of TeamWILD profound confidence that keeps me searching for a few investors, more partners and sponsors, and live on the most fragile shoe-string budget of my life.
I didn’t develop profound confidence until I profoundly understood diabetes in MY body. We talk about how we with diabetes are all different. But what does that actually MEAN? How does that play out for each of us when we show up in the gym, on the track, at the pool, on a bike ride?
I have been very sick at times in my life. I have had some tough challenges to overcome, and I have a career working closely in inner-city schools with some of the most at-risk youth in America. And the ONLY thing that I have consistently seen that empowers people is EDUCATION and and education that gives ACCESS to smart people who are willing to share their knowledge and who are willing to BE on the journey with the one who desires to learn.
That’s what TeamWILD is: access to experts who will listen. Access to detailed education about diabetes and exercise that is woven in with fitness and athletic training plans.
Can you FEEL my passion? This is the most serious thing I have EVER done in my life! And I have not wasted much time in this life. And at the same time, I am having the most fun that I have ever had! This is the biggest clue that lets me know when I have my frequent attacks of uncertainty, that I’m on the right track.
TeamWILD is all of my skills, insights, previous life experiences rolled into one thing. And my deepest desire is to share this empowerment. And, having the coaches, diabetes coaches and amazing dedication of all the TeamWILD staff tirelessly working alongside me, reminds me that what we are creating and collectively sharing with you and the world, IS needed. Will work. And is worth continuing to create and share.
So, if you want to help out. If you want to get involved. If you know someone I should talk to, please let me know!!! And in the meantime, if you have been thinking of participating with TeamWILD, please do. Come to our camp in Boulder in June. Start a WILDfit program. Do a cycling or triathlon or a run program.
I will do everything, in fact I will do WHATEVER IT TAKES to help you on your journey to profound confidence, athletic empowerment and overall health. Please get involved! You are needed.
~Mari
Mari, I always look forward to our meetings. You provide a ton of energy and inspiration just like this blog. Keep pushing forward to your ultimate goal(s).
I CAN feel your passion. You are inspiring! What an amazing, worthwhile venture!
Carol, you are such a peach of a gal!!! I still plan to contact you for some help. Thank you!!! And keep up all the great work you are doing in the world too! ~Mari
Mari, you are a true inspiration. After reading your post I wish I had diabetes so I could work with you! If there is anything I can do for you or your cause, please let me know.
Thanks so much Jenny! Having you an integral part of TeamWILD means the world to me! And I’m so glad you like being a Red Rider too! Have a great day and GO WILD RED RIDER! ~Mari
Wow! Absolutely fabulous Mari!
I have been so inspired and excited to be a part of Team WILD both as an athlete as well as an educator. I’ve been a REd Rider in so many Tour de Cure events an can remember my very first jersey. I was so proud to have a way of riding and showing that I also had diabetes. I only hope more people see the unbelievable benefit of specific sports/exercise education as they learn to healthfully manage diabetes. The WILD training programs are fantastic and so supportive – Thank you for your confidence and enthusiasm for putting it all together into Team WILD and the Red Rider programs.
Go WILD!!
Mary Ann,
From one educator to another, thank you!!! I know that so much of what you do is empower and educate!!! Thanks for stopping by! And, TeamWILD fans, check out Mary Ann’s website: http://healthwellnessconnection.com She’s got lots of amazing resources and tips!!! ~Mari
Hi Kelly! I wish we were there for you back in your riding days too! We have a walk/run program these days!!! If that’s of any help to you???!!!!!! Thanks for the comment! ~Mari
Tiffany, Indeed you did and you ARE doing this!!!! I am so glad you are WILD!!!! ~ Mari
Ginger, Thank you!!! You are incredible! The athletes in week2 of their programs get YOU!!! It’s going out this week to a bunch of them!! Very exciting! ~Mari
Wes, You are amazing! I love it that you have a goal of 100,000 miles by bike! That is really cool. I would say, indeed, you are living a full life. If there is anything TeamWILD can do to support you, please let us know! ~Mari
Hello Molly!
TeamWILD is international, in that a potential or actual athlete need only have access to the internet and the right gear for their sport. That said, TeamWILD Headquarters are in Denver, Colorado. Where are you? You can direct email me at mruddy@teamwild.org!!!! I would LOVE to brainstorm with you!!! ~Mari
Mo and John! Thank you!!! I love it that John wears the Red Rider jersey! See you both at CampWILD in June!
I think it is great what you are doing. I wish you had this program back in my riding days, I would love to have participated.
Sysy! Thanks so much for your vote of confidence!!! I would LOVE to donate a program to you, to raffle off or for you to hold a contest of some sort through your blog. Let me know if this is of interest to you!!!
This is so inspiring. I’m in awe of what you’re doing and hope to participate one day. I applaud you on your efforts and group successes. Keep up the great work!!!
You are so right, Mari, that education and access is the key. The more we educate people on healthy lifestyle habits, and the impact they can have on their health, the better off we all will be!
I support you and Team Wild 100%
Mary Ann
Mari,
Your passion and enthusiasm inspire us all.
My husband John who was diagnosed with Type 1 when he was 34, wears his Red
Rider jerseys with such pride. Thank you!
Go Red Riders!
Mo Schulz
Portland, Oregon
I joined Team WILD last year and trained for my first metric century after living a fairly sedentary life. I admit that I was very scared about this goal, but with the help of my trainers, teammates, and family I pulled it off. I am a new person with significantly more confidence. I have new goals that Team WILD is preparing me for. I am a Type 2 diabetic and I am WILD.
GO WILD!!!
As if managing day-to-day diabetes isn’t hard enough already, balancing your blood sugar around exercise is one of the biggest challenges within life with diabetes, in my opinion. But it can be done…with knowledge! Thank you for being part of the community that educates and inspires PWDs in exercise.
Ginger
I remember all the conflictions, a couple of ones that stick out, first pediatrician saying , it is possible to live a full life, going to camp and seeing yes there are others like me out in the world, also being used to walking & cycling to school, which at the time was common.
My first fundraising ride for the ADA wasn’t until my senior year in high school, it was the first year of this event (Bike-A-Thon), I went on to ride 16 out of the 27 years this event existed, for 2 years I rode three different rides for Diabetes, all 90 or more miles, including my 2nd & third Tour de Cure, this year will be my 15th TdC, my third year with Team Red.
One of my goals is reaching 100,000 miles by bike!
Incredible post! Wow! Thank you for adding so much power and carpe vitae to my Friday!!
I can completely relate to the big dream, the shoe string budget and the power of building a community.
I’d love to do some brainstorming with you, to help you get your message out to the world and build investors. Where are you located?
Scott, you are wonderful. I have a feeling that soon that jersey is going to be hanging off you and you are going to be rocketing fast on your bike!!! Thanks for all YOU do for the diabetes community! ~Mari (Coach Nicole would be mad that we are awake this late at night!!)
The Red Rider program is one of the most powerful things I have had the pleasure of participating in. Thank you Mari, for having the courage to make your vision a reality for so many of us living with diabetes.
I was so scared on the day of my first ADA Tour de Cure event. Your courage empowered me to show up on ride day, spandex outfit and all, and have a great time. So much support and encouragement all around – I felt like I could do just about anything!
I’m totally hooked on the feeling, and will continue to sport my Red Rider jersey no matter how tight it is… Haha!