Dorothy, like many of us, has struggled with the fear of not being good enough and seeking the approval of others. Her journey began with her earliest sports memory of monkey bars, which she recalls as a serious physical activity requiring significant stamina. However, it was not until her art teacher encouraged her to join a long-distance running team that she discovered her passion for sports. Despite struggling to fit in after moving to Canada from Hong Kong, she persevered and eventually joined the basketball team. However, it was during basketball tryouts that she experienced rejection for the first time and learned that not everyone would be supportive of her dreams.
Despite the challenges and setbacks Dorothy faced in her sports experiences, she realized that she couldn’t let her fear of failure hold her back from pursuing the things she enjoyed. Through her perseverance in snowboarding, she not only gained a new skill but also a newfound confidence in herself. This realization also translated to other aspects of her life, where she felt more empowered to take on challenges and try new things without the fear of judgment or failure. Dorothy’s sports journey may have been bumpy, but it ultimately taught her an important lesson about the power of self-belief and resilience.
Dorothy did not let fear prevent her from pursuing her passion for snowboarding. Although it took five visits to finally get the hang of it, she refused to give up and committed herself to the sport. With each visit, she grew more confident and eventually became proficient. Dorothy’s story teaches us that pursuing our passions and chasing our dreams requires us to push past our fears and not let the opinions of others dictate our lives. We must have the courage to believe in ourselves, even when others doubt us. It may not always be easy, but it is worth it in the end.
Interview Originally posted: October 2020
