Offshore Inspirations
Lifeguarding at my beloved Camp Onaway summer camp first introduced me to sailboats and sailing, and a high school friend helped pull me in even further. Later, my partner Kyle, also an avid sailor, quickly reignited that spark when we moved back to Houghton. We joined the Onagaming Yacht Club and started dabbling in racing, ultimately discovering not just a shared love for sailing, but also a strong sense of community in the sport. Two sailboat purchases later, a few solid sunburns from long days on the water, and some real team-building moments, I can solidly say: sailing has brought me plenty of off-shore inspiration.
Sailing has profoundly shaped the way I navigate both my professional and personal life. The skills developed on the water, problem-solving, adaptability, perseverance, and the ability to confront fear, prejudice, and sexism, directly inform my approach to work. Just as I adjust to shifting winds and unpredictable conditions on a sailboat, I meet professional challenges with flexibility, compassion and resourcefulness.
The strategic thinking required to plot long passages or tackle a boat restoration closely mirrors how I approach complex projects and deadlines. Sailing has also deepened my appreciation for collaboration and the importance of staying focused in the face of setbacks. It continues to be a steady source of inspiration and a core influence in how I show up in my career.
As my sailing has shifted from racing to longer voyages, the fear of the unknown has become the most powerful life lesson. Sailing into darkness, passing freighters, and navigating the largest Great Lake, known for not giving up her dead, forces you to confront uncertainty head-on. Fear can quietly chip away at your thoughts, much like it does in everyday life. And as a twenty-something navigating the transition from college into full adulthood, that same fear of the unknown lingers. Sailing has taught me not how to eliminate fear, but how to move through it, with caution, courage, and trust in the journey ahead.
