This is Uncomfortable.

A dimly lit 00:02 flickered on the wall in front of me. I shot…Time itself stopped altogether.

GOAL! The crowd went wild! It was official. I was the #1 goal-scorer in the entire league. Was I surprised? No. Of course not. I had claimed this honorable title for four consecutive years. College recruiters were calling me every other day…right?

Not quite.

You see, that crowd that was screaming my name… That was my mom, my dad, and three other parents huddled together with their noses against the glass. Oh, and by league I meant Raleigh’s youth recreational hockey league. For some reason, I was totally okay with it. I was the best! I was comfortable.

Comfortable.

For 17 years, this one word controlled each and every decision I made. I was average. Deep within my gut, however, it killed me.

“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” I am privileged to say that less than two years later I can fully appreciate this adage.

Trying out for that hockey team. Losing that 40lbs. Doing that bodybuilding competition. Talking to that stranger. Saying “no” to that college. Starting that business.

Do these words terrify me? Absolutely.

Have these words changed my life? Absolutely.