A couple months ago we featured a piece about IF Vancouver member Eric Bojm’s preparations to participate in the Outward Bound Dare to Leap fundraiser where he rappelled down the side of the Shaw Tower in Downtown Vancouver. A couple of weeks ago we had the opportunity to catch up with Eric to talk about the experience and gather his post-event thoughts:
IF: Eric, thanks so much for taking the time to talk to us about your Dare to Leap experience! How was the event, overall?
Eric: Oh man, I’ll tell you, I was a lot more nervous than I thought I would be… But it was a great event with lots of amazing people and good spirit.
IF: What was going through your mind in the moments leading up to your “Leap”?
Eric: When you’re there and they’re checking your gear and the wind is blowing you ask yourself, “am I really going to do this?” and then you crawl over the guard rail and they just tell you to lean back and go. You really have to believe that everything is going to work the way it should.
IF: What was the most interesting/biggest surprise/ most unexpected part?
Eric: I think I was a lot more nervous that I had expected. Having to conquer my fear was the most challenging part.
IF: Was there someone working your line for you or did you have to do all of the “hard work” yourself?
Eric: There was a really good group of professionals and a lot of support, but once you go over the edge you’re on your own. You have to work the mechanism yourself to determine how fast you descend.
IF: What was going through your mind as you descended in the way of self-talk?
Eric: I was talking to myself the whole way down, trying to keep myself pumped up. I could feel my arms and my abs really working pretty well the whole way down; you’re basically in a v-sit the whole way down. The upper body and core training definitely paid off!
There was a point about half way down where I told myself that I had to stop, just to look around and take in the moment.
IF: Would you do it again?
Eric: I would!
IF: Is there anything you would do differently to prepare/leading up to the event?
Eric: I would have liked to have done a little more of my own research into how the mechanism works. When you get down to the ground you wish you could run up and do it again right away, without the nerves or apprehensiveness about working the mechanism.
IF: Eric, I know that you, like many IF members, are never satisfied with completing one challenge and then stopping. Now that you’ve got the Dare to Leap under your belt, what’s your next big challenge going to be?
Eric: I’ll be participating in a bike ride from Vancouver out to the Harrison Hot Springs with the Rotary Club to raise funds for children with hearing impairments. (editorial note: find out more about the Rotary Bikeathon here)
IF: Amazing stuff, Eric. We’re really proud of all that you’ve accomplished and are thrilled that you’ve decided to use your physical fitness to give back to such worthy causes! Thanks so much for taking the time to share your story with us and good luck on your ride with the Rotary Club!
Eric: Thanks for giving me the opportunity to share my story. It’s been an incredible experience!
Eric is a great example of someone who is never satisfied with just “satisfactory”. He constantly challenges himself and pushes himself outside of his own comfort zone, all while helping worthy causes in the process. What IF you could?
Sean Allt, BA, CSEP-CPT, CFST
Club Manager
Innovative Fitness – Vancouver
p. 604-609-5450 / c. 604-314-8627
www.InnovativeFitness.com
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