The Value Of UpWind

Most every Thinking In Waves essay

Is based on the idea of

Surfing Waves

That follow the direction of the wind…

Which is called a DownWind.

DownWinds are what we want most -

At sea

And in Life.

They generate the greatest amount of

Fun

Engagement and

Free Energy.

Yet,

Over the course of my life,

I have spent -

And continue to spend -

Countless hours

Paddling a canoe against the flow of the river current

Running and skiing up mountains

And

Paddling a surfski against the wind.

So why would we purposefully:

Turn directly into the wind?

Expose ourselves to such discomfort and struggle?

Choose resistance over release?

Two reasons…

First, UpWind can support

Step 2 of the Wave Surfing Progression —> Direction,

Where we collect and combine

Our purpose, values, and capacities

To commit to the Direction of our intended destination,

Even in the face of opposition,

Even when the wind is not going our way.

Second, UpWind is a powerful and counterintuitive teacher of skill.

When waves come at us -

At great speed and varying directions,

We learn how to

Let go of our defensive positioning and

Open an offensive advantage.

Incoming elements create an environment to better

Anticipate

Respond

Adapt and

Progress

Through less than ideal conditions.

Here, UpWind builds a valuable container of tools and experience

So when the winds shift and work with us again,

We approach the new DownWind

As a more agile and well-rounded surfer.

In our daily practice and

Management of Life Waves,

Embrace the UpWind

Because

Going against the flow

Opens a new pathway for Finding Flow.

With gratitude, Joe

PS - Someone who embraces the Value of UpWind at the elite level is mountain trail runner and one of the best endurance athletes in the world, Kilian Jornet. Some of his top "UpWind achievements" include summiting Mount Everest TWICE within a week's time and last summer, linking together all 82 of the Alps' 4,000 meter peaks in just 19 days.

A few months ago, Kilian shared a new documentary that covers his 2023 passage through his home mountain range, the Pyrenees. (Kilian is from Catalunya.) This beautiful story challenges us to rethink how to find of meaning, expand capabilities, and evolve our human journey.

My coaching colleague and Elevating Leadership Institute co-founder, Inga Stasiulionyte and I were so moved by Kilian's Pyrenees documentary that we recorded a reflection video full of actionable take-aways that you can watch on Youtube --> HERE.

See you on the Wave.🌊

–

​Joe Jacobi​​

Olympic Gold Medalist | Performance Coach | ​Author​

Unlock Your Why, Achieve Impacting Wins, & Ride Spectacular Life Waves