Vision, Mission & Values

Vision

To help people grow and be healthier, happier and better through active movement

Mission Statement

To integrate knowledge and experiences from multiple avenues to provide innovative coaching and personal training services

Values

Growth
One of the main core values of The Growth Experience is as its name suggest - Growth. At the Growth Experience, we try to emphasize a “growth mindset" that thrives on challenge and sees failure not as evidence of lack of innate capability but as a heartening springboard for growth and for stretching our existing abilities. The desire to grow creates a passion for learning rather than a hunger for approval. Its hallmark is the conviction that human qualities can be cultivated through effort and deliberate practice. Not only are people with this mindset not discouraged by failure, but they don’t actually see themselves as failing in those situations — they see themselves as learning. This point is never more poignant than when we are taken to our limits and where the potential for failure is real, like in a hundred-mile race or a hard marathon.

"Be not afraid of growing slowly; be afraid only of standing still." - Chinese Proverb

Explore
One of the main reasons I started trail running and continue to do it to this day is to explore the natural world and see the wonders of nature. It is also why I love to travel and visit natural sites like national parks. Running is just a way to explore these gorgeous natural areas faster and see more things. Exploration isn't just limited to the physical. Exploration is also about the self and asking yourself the questions - "What if?" or "What's next?". Exploration is also about discovering your potential and where your limits may be or if these limits are only self-conceived. Exploring is about the journey and that courageous first step you have to take on this never-ending road of growth.

"Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they're supposed to help you discover who you are." - Bernice Johnson Reagon

Embrace
The value of embrace is about acceptance, but also about embracing the process of growth. It is as coaches David and Megan Roche say - "The happy runner epiphany is taking the pressure off of results, cutting yourself (and others) some slack, and understanding that it’s about the process all along. Results are judged by finish lines. Process isn’t judged at all. Process is just life.” It is also about taking in all that comes with the journey - the good and the bad. It is about coming to terms with the bad experiences ("embracing the suck") and growing from them as well as appreciating the good times in the journey and using them as buoys and lighthouses to lift you up and give you a sense of direction when things are tough.

"Be patient with yourself. You are growing stronger every day. The weight of the world will become lighter...and you will begin to shine brighter. Don't give up." - Robert Tew

Experience
The last main core value of The Growth Experience is also as its name suggest - Experience. Growth comes from new experiences and we are all a culmination of our lifetime experiences. We are who we are because of our experiences. You learn a lot about yourself when, in the middle of the night, a hundred-miler (or any activity that pushes your limits) forces you to look into the depths of your soul and ask yourself why. Try new things, new methodologies, new foods, new terrain, new races, new racing/training strategies and/or new perspectives. A lot about training and racing or any athletic endeavor is finding out what works and what does not work for you. Only through experiences can we find our limits.

"Sometimes in life we take a leap of faith. Remember, the leap is not about getting from one side to the other. It's simply about taking the leap...and trusting the air, the universal breath, will support your wings so that you may sour." - Kristi Bowman