An amazing power we possess as human beings is the ability to inspire others. We are the only animal on the planet that has the brain capacity to influence others.  How we choose to do this is one part learning experience, one part personality, one part strength and one part courage. People carry with them experiences both good and bad. I choose to believe that all experiences have the power to change us. How we learn from those experiences determines how much we can change the universe. Sharing that knowledge is even more powerful.

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, my world (as one can imagine) came to an abrupt and screeching halt. How, I wondered, am I going to get through this? How will my family get through this? Not one to dwell on disaster, I was determined to survive this catastrophic event. After hiding in bed for few days, I had to formulate a plan. Planning was the only way I knew to kick this thing. While I had always been athletic, I knew I would need more than my thrice weekly gym visits and walks with my dog. My husband was an avid mountain biker and raced at a semi-professional level years earlier. So, there it was. My plan. As soon as I was healed from surgery, I would start mountain biking. Needless to say, mountain biking is not at all like riding a bike on pavement. I fell… a lot. Between bruising from chemotherapy and hitting every tree and rock within a mile, I looked like I had been through a war. Interestingly, I was. I was battling for my life… on two wheels.

I have found that in order to inspire others, you must love that which you are attempting to inspire. For me, it is a love of fitness. Riding a bike to be exact. I would talk to everyone that would listen about how I was falling in love with riding, but in a way that revealed my failures as well as my triumphs. Learning to ride a bike is easy enough, learning to race and succeed is another story altogether. I tried to tap into the passions of others and encourage them in a way that led them toward fitness, and ultimately health.

I found the following to be some helpful approaches in learning to be a good teacher and leader:

Be a good example: People watch what you do more than they listen to what you say. Be worth emulating. I rode my bike to work everyday in the summer. I didn’t mention it but people noticed. I began to see people walking on their lunch breaks. Some even began walking to work!

Care about others: As John Maxwell says, “People don’t care about how much you know until they know how much you care.” Ask questions and take a genuine interest in people. I invited others to ride with me on my recovery days. Of course, most people said, “I could never keep up with you.” They joined me and I made sure to ride at a pace comfortable for them.

Encourage: When you support and encourage others through tough times, you help them to see the best in themselves. When I knew someone had a difficult day, I’d invite them on a ride, even if it meant compromising a training ride.

Be inspired yourself: Find things that motivate and inspire you. I would take time to talk with the parents of my students (with autism). I found and continue to find inspiration in their daily lives with their children.

Share from your experience: Mine the riches of your life and share your wisdom with your unique point of view. I rode my bike to keep me sane during chemotherapy treatments. It has since become my passion. It saves me everyday.

Be vulnerable: Share failure as well as success. I talked often about lost races and even my lost hair!

Tell Stories: Facts tell and stories sell. I shared funny chemotherapy stories… yes, there were some of those. I shared funny riding stories too… there were more of those!

Communicate: Develop the ability to communicate effectively. Watch how you speak and what you say. The best advice my dad ever gave me was, “Be humble.” Sometimes, letting people come to you for inspiration is the best way to inspire.

Challenge: Be willing to push others to be there best. Riding with others, especially beginners, is a lesson in patience. But knowing when to say, “Pedal up that hill!” pushes them toward accomplishment. Reveling in another’s accomplishment is wonderful.

Read: Stay informed. I read books on riding, training, nutrition and love stories about dogs. There is inspiration in everything. Knowledge is only power when you share it.

And my personal favorite…

Be passionate: Be in love with that which you preach. My husband and I often say, “We don’t care what you do, just LOVE what you do.” He and I are so passionate about our life and our riding. There are so many facets of it. We are so happy to share our love and our knowledge to anyone who’s interested. We have led many beginner rides for new riders that have turned into weekly rides for them!

In my experience, you cannot be inspirational without passion nor passionate without inspiration. Love what you do in a way that makes everyone want to revel in your triumph. Just be sure to return the favor!

References: Angier, M., Success Networks International

JENNIFER YANAZZO is a mountain bike racer and triathlete with fierce determination that goes above and beyond most competitors. She entered (and won) her first race just one year after undergoing surgery and chemotherapy for breast cancer… {more}

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