I look up at the towering papaya trees surrounding our dipping pool. Newly planted last year, these trees had peered up at me timidly, searching for guidance. Now, after months of acquainting themselves with the rhythms of the jungle, they stand at 15 feet, nearly twice their original height, and have a remarkable presence—strong, confident, and wise—as though acknowledging that they’ve overcome the most difficult of their struggles as youngsters and now demand respect from the life around them. I breathe in deeply, inhaling the scent of their flowers, as though to draw inspiration.

I’ve returned to commence another year of running my family’s eco-lodge in San Pancho, Mexico on the pacific coastline. Several years ago we purchased 5 acres of undeveloped jungle. At the time I was a junior at Middlebury College and, hardly believing my good fortune, I seized the opportunity to turn this blank canvas into the business of my dreams—an eco-lodge and adventure tour company. Last year, winter 07-08, my family and I finally opened our fledgling business, Tailwind Outdoor Co. Like our young papaya trees, I felt small, meek and vulnerable, unsure of how to proceed and overwhelmed at the task of managing and bringing to fruition a business that I’d always dreamed of.

I had no time to dwell upon my worries, as I was consistently bombarded with new challenges—equipping our eco-bungalows with all the necessary comforts, adjusting my sea kayaking tours to meet the needs of my guests and the local people, learning how to compost, balancing quantity and quality in our services and much, much, more. I wonder now how I managed to survive the slew of obstacles . . .

There is no denying it was the athlete in me that got me through. Not only did the physical fitness I’ve achieved through sport help get me through ridiculously long days of leading tours and hosting guests, my athletic pursuits also instilled qualities that empowered and prepared me for entrepreneurial success. From road biking up mountain passes, to back country skiing, to long distance sea kayaking excursions, all the sports I’ve enjoyed and practiced throughout my life have cultivated invaluable qualities in me—strength, courage, determination, endurance—all of which were crucial to my ability to successfully survive the first year in business.

Now, as I return to re-open my eco-lodge after being closed for the rainy season, I approach this new year of being in business with a new quality—another quality that I have learned through sport, something that comes from falling and getting back up again, from rising to the challenges and from finally mastering a new skill. I have acquired confidence. With this newfound confidence I begin the season calmly, composed and with a presence. I have digested last year’s experiences and synthesized the lessons. I am ready and eager to take on the next set of challenges. I feel as though I’ve just mastered standing up on a surfboard and am now ready to learn how to maneuver my board, how to turn it into the curl of the wave, the beckoning calm water of the wave, instead of just riding the whitewater.

This year I begin with the knowledge that I have my athletic experiences to continue to help me through my quest. I’ve discovered that when it comes to life lessons, sports are some of the greatest teachers around, so I’m going to learn as much as I can! This year I know I must make time for more personal physical activities beyond the hiking and sea kayaking tours I lead—time for my yoga practice (a new challenge for me) as well as my trail runs and surfing sessions with local girlfriends.

And, of course, I draw inspiration from my papaya trees. We share a common bond and are poised to tackle another year of jungle dwelling together. I look at my beloved trees again. I see they are still dwarfed by the majestic palms that surround them; just as impressive, chic and sprawling resorts dwarf Tailwind. However, Tailwind, my papaya trees and I will continue to grow, learn, encounter entirely new challenges and create our own unique niche in this remarkable jungle we call home.

Come and visit my papaya trees and me anytime — we’re waiting for you!

TAMARA JACOBI is the co-owner, hostess, website-designer, bookings manager, and expedition guide for Tailwind Outdoor, a family-owned eco-lodge and adventure tour company in San Pancho, Mexico. She is a lifelong athlete whose accomplishments include completion of 2 marathons, sea kayaking 850 miles down the Baja's Sea of Cortez, mountain biking 2000 miles of the USA's continental divide trail, mountaineering up Pico de Orizaba's 18,700 feet, and more. She is also a passionate trail runner and practicing yogini... {more »}

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