You Might Not Know What You’re Capable Of Until There’s No Turning Back 

You Might Not Know What You’re Capable Of Until There’s No Turning Back 

Natalie Baack

The story of the curvy hike in Griffith park – I took my meetup group on a hike that I told them would be easy, and then we ended up on the wrong path and a steep incline and hopping a fence at the end. No one believed they could do it, but we rallied and kept going and it was an adventure no one will forget that left them inspired and motivated to do more.

“Curvy Hike. Easy trails for all fitness levels”.  

That’s what I told my Meetup Group, The Curvy Confidence Sisterhood. 

I wanted to lead them on a hike that felt like fun, not like punishment. “Instead of hiking to burn calories”, I said, “I believe fitness works best when it’s a by-product of having awesome experiences.” 

A small, diverse group joined me, all of us over 30. A Latina mom, a gluten-free baker, and a spunky grandmother (wearing a Minnie Mouse skort, no less).  

We started up what I was sure was the easy trail leading up to the Griffith Observatory, an art deco landmark in Los Angeles with stellar views of the city. The trail up that I normally take is a wide dirt road with a slow incline.  

Not too long in, I realized we were on a narrow path with a steep incline, and maybe a little bit lost. “Look, I think this rejoins the other path, let’s check it out and keep going!”  

I was optimistic, but my heart was pounding. I knew we were not where we were supposed to be.  

“Ladies. We may be stuck. We could try to go back. Or we could have an adventure.”  

They chose adventure.  

I put on my coach hat and pumped them up. “Exercise as a byproduct of fun! I bet you didn’t even know you could do this!”  

They sure didn’t.  

When we got to the top of the very steep slope, we hit a chain link fence as far as the eye could see.  

They had just scaled a hill that even advanced hikers would avoid, but we all decided there was only one thing we could do.  

Hop the fence.   

There literally was no going back.  

And one curvy babe by one, we made it to the other side.  

They were flying high. Riding on a sense of accomplishment and confidence that they hadn’t felt in years.  

And once I recovered from my inner panic, I beamed with pride. 

It’s amazing what you are capable of when there’s no turning back.  

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