FEAR NOT

In the last several years I have been attempting to overcome my fears.  I was the wimpy girl growing up who didn't want to try anything new.  My appetite for adventure revolved more around trying new food or nail polish colors rather than actual outdoor adventure.  I'm sure my fears were totally irrational.

In recent years my fear of guns, or shooting one I should say, has been eliminated.  I'd say owning two guns, hunting, and allot of target practice using about 40 different guns will get rid of that fear real fast.  It's a therapy for me now. 

My fear of water where I can't see the bottom is not completely gone, but things like joining a rowing team, getting my boater's certification, boat fishing, and fly fishing have helped reduce the fear.

My fear of being social?  Yes, I guess that one is gone.  I was the person who changed my college major to not have to take a public speaking class. No joke! I was unbelievably shy and would never consider going to a restaurant or a bar by myself. I was the wallflower at the party and to dance in front of people required mind numbing amounts of alcohol. To stand in front of a group to speak caused anxiety and panic. Today?  Bring it!

My fear of small closed in spaces?  Oooohhh.  Now there's a story to that one.  When I think of things like scuba diving, I picture myself being trapped inside a tight enclosed head mask submerged in water unable to get out.  I get anxious just thinking about it. 

Many years ago I was with a group of friends who went to Buckner's Cave, just outside of Bloomington,IN.  That part of Indiana, with it's rich limestone beds, has many caves and this one was quite a challenge.  The entry point to the cave started in an open sink hole, so I thought this would be "easy".  No, that was just the foyer.  The actual "door" to the cave was a tiny little hole in the ground that we had to get down on our bellies and squeeze into.  I had my first ever experience of what it felt like to hyper-ventilate.  I had to be talked through it. Once in, the crawling...or slithering....continued. For the next 3.5 hours it was some standing, lots of time crouched down, bent over, and twisting our bodies through wildly created natural cavern space.  We had flashlights and extra batteries.  There was no natural light to be had the entire time. 

I followed the group and enjoyed the "scenery".  We stopped to rest on occasion but for the most part we were moving (slowly) through this crazy cave.  At the end, when we all came out into the daylight again, it was exhilarating.  We had a 3 hour trip home to Illinois and we stopped for a bite to eat before the long trip.  It was then that the tiredness and soreness started to settle in. 

The next couple of days were some of the sorest of my life.  My body had twisted and contorted into positions it had not known.  My excitement about telling friends about it soon began to change to the panic of "what if?" because when I realized that if one of us had gotten hurt...the only way out of the cave was the exact same way we got into the cave. Ahhhhhh!!!!

The experience was great, but unfortunately my claustrophobia remains intact.

                                        

“You must do the things you think you cannot do.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Adventures and experiences make for stories to tell and write about. That’s what I do.

In the fall of 2014 I was on horseback riding a trail in Big Sky, Montana. It was by far the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen. The sky was flawlessly blue and in a 360 degree landscape, there was no other sign of human existence. The trail guide was the epitome of an adventurer and outdoorswoman, a beautiful fun-loving blond cowgirl who moved to Montana looking for a cowboy to partner with who could keep up with her.  We talked and laughed about everything under the sun. I told her my story and eventually my idea. She stopped, turned herself around on her horse, faced me and said, “You have to do it. NO one else is doing it.” 

Not too many years prior to that I began pushing myself to overcome fears and do things I swore I would never do.  I hated running, so I started running half marathons. I was afraid of being in or near water where I couldn’t see the bottom. So, I took up rowing on a crew, paddling and got my boaters’ safety certification.  I had never held a gun and was afraid to shoot one.  So, I bought a gun, went target shooting and started turkey hunting. From then on I sought out people to take me fishing and hunting.  I found out firsthand how “misguided” I was trying to find reputable teachers.  I didn’t let it stop me then and don’t now.

In creating this business service, I was concerned that my lack of outdoors experience would work against me, but as it turns out, it’s to my advantage.  Between family, friends, and strangers, the acceptance to it has been 100% positive. People are enthusiastic, curious, and generally I can raise an eyebrow or two with the stories I tell.

In short, I work with guides on marketing and setting goals to make their business more successful and enjoyable for both the guides and their clients. 

This is only the first phase of Miss Guided Adventures. To fully accomplish my goals, it takes a team. I am looking for coaches, trainers, teammates, cheerleaders and fans in the crowd.  And right now, there’s no competition!

If you would like to learn more and be a part of a fun adventure, call or email me. NO texts please.   

 “Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.” ~Henry David Thoreau

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There is a story to Miss Guided Adventures, and a purpose as well.

My Father died in 1992 from complications with Multiple Myeloma, cancer of the bone marrow.  My Dad was the symbol of strength and courage. He played hockey in college, worked on the Manhattan Project as a Boston University graduate while waiting for his Armed Air Forces service to begin where he flew a bomber in WWII. He fathered 8 children with my Mother and the guy who was an athlete, loved sailing, was a master gardener, and did everything he could to provide for his large family succumbed to a cancer that crumpled his spine.  Throughout his illness, he managed a sense of humor, a positive outlook, and he got strong enough for a brief period before his death  to swim, bike, walk, and skate again.

I dedicate this adventure to my parents and will donate 10% of proceeds on services and products to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS).

Lures 4 Cures: Partnering with lure manufacturers to design custom lure colors to sell as a fundraiser for LLS.  10% of every sale will go to LLS.

Heart Felt Fishes: A community project with local artists to design and market collectors’ gift items and décor, with 10% of the proceeds going to select charities.

Miss Guided Apparel: T-shirts, running, cycling, and fishing jerseys, and other apparel in fun designs. 10% of the proceeds will be donated to LLS.

In addition to training for a triathlon, I am committing to LLS’s Team in Training and will be doing a marathon either in 2016 or 2017.  In that time frame I also plan to Ride the Rockies with my brother as a fundraiser for MS.

   Kris Neilson, Wausau, WI

   608-575-6903

   missguidedkris@gmail.com