Looking for 1,000 Heroes

Dear friends and family,

It is my intention to raise $18,000 for Cystic Fibrosis research in July.  My sons and I did something a little different this year for Great Strides - the annual CF fundraiser.  Dax, Zak, Ryan and I hiked to Mt. Everest Base Camp in May, reaching a breathtaking elevation of just over 18,000 feet.  We climbed in memory of my daughter Lexi who lost her battle with CF in 1995; in honor of my daughter Sharlie who continues to amaze us all with her courage and tenacity; and with hope for Ben and Lauren (my two grandchildren with CF) and the other 70,000 children and young adults worldwide who, because they inherited CF, fight each day to breathe.

A lot of people doing a little bit can change the world.  I am humbly asking you to support my efforts.  I intend to find 1,000 people willing to make a tax-deductible donation of $18.00 (one dollar for each foot of elevation) to this worthy cause.  Will you be one of my 1,000 heroes?   The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is consistently listed in the top charities in the nation.  Your contribution goes where it's needed - to help CF stand for Cure Found.

Here is the link:  http://www.cff.org/Great_Strides/ColletteLarsen

You will see a yellow "Click To Donate" button at the top of the page and another yellow button that will allow you to forward the page to others who might want to support our efforts.

Thank you - and please, in order for me to reach my goal I need you to become a CF ambassador.  Please forward this message on to your address lists.

In Gratitude,

Collette Larsen

A few facts about Cystic Fibrosis:

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide). A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections; and obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food.

In the 1950s, few children with cystic fibrosis lived to attend elementary school. Today, advances in research and medical treatments have further enhanced and extended life for children and adults with CF. Many people with the disease can now expect to live into their 30s, 40s and beyond.

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Lessons Learned On My Journey to Mt. Everest Base Camp – Part 2 of 6

Focus on the Formula

You probably already know the formula.  It’s certainly not a secret. I’ve read various versions, most recently in the book The Lotus Code by Mark Yarnell and Valerie Bates. I’ve put my own spin on it because I like to choose words that have personal meaning and I thrive on five…one word for each finger. Simple, I know.

Thoughts + Words + Actions + Habits = Results

This is the story of how “The Formula” got me to Mt. Everest Base Camp. More importantly, this same formula will help you attain your heart’s desires.

It starts with a thought…and it’s just fine if that thought is wildly improbable. After all, a dream that’s too big is just the right size, right? At the International Convention last summer, we were encouraged (even if we were veterans in USANA) to go through the newly introduced e-Apprentice. I don’t expect others in our organization to do what I’m not willing to do myself so upon returning home I signed on and earnestly began doing the assignments. I nearly skipped the Dream Builder Wheel in the Business Lab because frankly, my life is wonderful and I felt satisfied. Or maybe that was complacency I was feeling. At any rate, I thought “why not?” and started typing in wildly improbable goals for myself including seeing the tallest mountain on the planet. Of course, I figured that someday I’d FLY to Nepal to see Mt. Everest. It hadn’t occurred to me that I’d actually trek to that notable landmark. Note:  the Universe listens to thoughts and in some incomprehensible way, starts things in motion.

Four months after having that thought I received an e-mail from one of my heroes, Werner Berger – the oldest North American to ever summit Mt. Everest. He told me about his intention to take a number of USANA Associates to Base Camp in May of 2010 and wondered if I’d forward a message to my extensive database to assess any interest. Hmmm…I remembered that dream wheel. But…(isn’t there usually a “but?”) there was no way I could attempt such a thing. To make certain, I actually put the thought into words and ran it by my husband and yes, he pretty much agreed…no way. Can I just interject here that oftentimes it’s helpful to your cause if a few people whose judgment you respect, tell you what you’ve just verbalized is impossible. It happened when I started building my USANA business and it has happened since. For some reason, having someone tell me I can’t do something always gives me just the nudge I need.

On New Year’s Day I sent an invitation to my sons to join me on the trek. Three of them said, “Yes!” There are several important lessons in my purpose for extending the invitation and in their response. Stay tuned for a future installment.

Well, I not only forwarded Werner’s original e-mail, I wrote back to him and told him I’d like to be the first on his list. I shared my concerns about my fitness level, my fears, etc. I received a lovely message in return and I’ll share a bit here:

“I’m not surprised you’d be intrigued, dear Collette. You will absolutely adore the people and the amazing landscape. I can understand your fears, especially because you have never trekked before.

There are two keys to success. One, of course, is fitness. Four months of training can get almost anyone in shape. The second is speed. Going too fast at altitude is ill-advised and can totally destroy the experience. We will take time to soak in the majesty, the spirit and uniqueness of one of the most beautiful and breathtaking places on earth.”

Werner Berger

Dax, Werner, Me, Zachary, and Ryan

That vote of confidence from Werner and the picture he painted in my mind set me in gear. I knew I had to put action behind my words. I went to work. I began my training on New Year’s Day and hiked, climbed, went to the gym or worked out with my personal trainer five days a week for the next four months.  Before long I realized the first thought in my head when I awoke each morning was centered on what I was going to do that very day to improve my fitness level. My actions had become habits and I could literally feel my body transforming itself.

Training hike on Mt. San Jacinto

Training with Ric

On May 12, 2010 I stood (after walking every step of the way) at Mt. Everest Base Camp with my three sons and a dedicated group of USANA distributors and friends. My wildly improbable thought that became those tentative words that turned into massive, focused action which in time became a habit had ultimately produced results. That moment – exhausted, freezing, tears streaming, bursting with love, joy and gratitude – will dwell in my heart forever. I don’t know when I’ve ever felt more proud – or more humble.

Focus on the Formula.  I promise…it works!

Collette

P.S. If you would like a day-to-day account of what it was like on the trail, you can check out my son's blog at dirtyrunning.blogspot.com.  You can also see more about our group trek on USANA's blog.

Our group preparing for the climb to Namche

The yaks always have "right of way"

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Lessons Learned On the Way to Mt. Everest Base Camp, Part 1 of 6

First off, let me explain WHY.

I gave birth to five children, two of whom struggled from infancy to do what I take for granted…breathe. Lexi, my youngest daughter, lost her battle with Cystic Fibrosis after rejecting the lungs that had been transplanted into her fragile body when she was just 14-years-old. During that brief window of time - between receiving new lungs and those transplanted lungs being rejected by her body - Lexi would get this amazed look on her face and try to explain how different it felt…being able to take a deep breath. I remember one day as she was sipping water through a straw. “Mom,” she explained, “this is what it’s like!  If you try breathing through a straw…it’s just what it feels like to breathe when you have CF.”

Lexi

Sharlie, who is now thirty-one years old, married, and a mother herself, continues to fight her battle every single day. I watch in awe as she paces herself, carefully monitoring her breathing. I watch helplessly as she stops halfway up the stairs to catch her breath and as she struggles to keep up with Harrison, their very active three-year-old son. I marvel at her propensity for joy in spite of her diminished breathing capacity.

Sharlie doing a breathing treatment at Sanoviv

Sharlie and Ryan holding their son, Harrison

Ben who is nine-years-old and his little sister, six-year-old Lauren, were also born with this genetic disease. They are two of my precious grandchildren and so far, thanks to the advancements in treating CF and the loving, constant care of their parents, they’re doing relatively well yet still spend a considerable amount of time each day doing “breathing treatments” to help them keep their lungs clear and free from infection.

I live in Elfin Forest, a magical rural community in San Diego, California that sits at sea level. My oxygen saturation is about 99%.  For me, breathing is effortless. I never give it a second thought…or at least I didn’t until recently. At 17,590 feet, Mt. Everest Base Camp is a rugged other-worldly landscape at the base of the top of the world. And with only about half as much oxygen at Base Camp as there is when I’m home in San Diego, I felt certain this experience would help me understand what it feels like to struggle for every breath. My assumption was correct.

So, that is why a 57-year-old grandmother who started out on January 1st at a fitness level of about 2 (on a scale of 1 being not fit at all and 10 being extremely fit) decided to stretch way out of her comfort zone to join Werner Berger and 38 other brave souls (almost all are USANA distributors) on a three week adventure…a trek through the Khumbu Region of the Himalayas with a goal to reach Mt. Everest Base Camp.

Stay tuned for five additional installments explaining five of the most pertinent lessons I learned from this experience. And since pictures tell the story best…I’ll share lots.

On a Sherpa trail with our group

The Nepali flag

On a Sherpa trail with Ama Dablam in the background 

Carved prayer stone...these were everywhere

A short video I took in the beautiful Monastery village of Tengboche, Nepal

Namaste,

Collette

P.S. If you would like a day-to-day account of what it was like on the trail, you can check out my son's blog at dirtyrunning.blogspot.com.  You can also see more about our group trek on USANA's blog. 

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Take a Hike

A question…as you just read the title of this blog; did you sense a negative connotation?  I want a word or two with the person who first uttered these three words as an insult!  In fact, as I’ve learned since my first honest to goodness hike as an adult on January 1st of this year, “take a hike” is a phrase fraught with meaning – adventure, exhilaration, even spirituality.  “Take a hike” has become music to my ears.

Is it possible to reinvent yourself at 57 years of age…or at any age?  Yes!  Yes, it is.  Our company attracts heroes - seemingly normal, average people who reach deep into their soul’s divine center and accomplish the amazing.  These individuals lift us all.

Under a big tent at Snowbird in 1995, I was asked to take a few moments during the third annual USANA Convention and talk about the success I’d experienced since I’d launched my business a little over a year earlier.  Brand new to the public speaking arena (and with knees shaking uncontrollably) I shared one of my favorite poems by Ella Wheeler Wilcox  entitled “Lifters and Leaners.”  In a nutshell, Ms. Wheeler promotes the idea that all the world’s masses can be divided into just two classes…you got it, lifters and leaners.  I remember hearing this poem over twenty years ago and thinking, this woman has pretty much figured out the secret to a fulfilling life.  If we concentrate our time, talent and energy lifting others, through some irrefutable energy, our own lives are elevated.   Ironically, one of my heroes and a fellow hiking/climbing/trekking enthusiast, Steve Netherby, recently sent me a quote he knew I’d love and when I realized it was written by this same insightful poet - Ella Wheeler Wilcox, I wasn’t surprised.

"Change is the watchword of progression.
When we tire of well-worn ways, we seek for new.
This restless craving in the souls of men
Spurs them to climb, and seek the mountain view."

Apparently, this restless craving Ms. Wilcox refers to was lying dormant in my soul when I received an e-mail message over the holidays from another of my personal heroes, Werner Berger.  I met Werner through USANA nearly fifteen years ago and I’ve watched in star-struck awe as Werner has summitted peak after daunting peak, constantly striving for higher ground, becoming in 2007, the oldest North American and the fourth oldest person in the world to summit Mt. Everest at 29,035 feet - literally standing on top of the world.

Now, when Werner Berger sends you a personal e-mail outlining his upcoming intention to lead thirty or so USANA distributors on a spiritual, physical and emotional adventure of a lifetime - a 20-day trek to the a landscape he knows and loves; the Base Camp of Mt. Everest…well, to make a long story a little shorter…I gave birth to that restless craving and said, YES!  Then, just to cover my bases and insure I had strong men to carry me off the mountain should that need arise, I invited my sons Dax, Zak and Ryan (Sharlie’s husband) to join me.  And with that, our journey began.

I have become a hiking enthusiast.  For some reason built into my genetic code, when I decide to do something that at first glance seems impossible for me (especially if I’m told I can’t possibly do it), I pull out all the stops and become somewhat irrational in my determination and commitment.

REI is my new favorite shopping destination.  I spend hours on websites having to do with hiking, climbing and the gear that goes along with this passion.  I know a lot about liner socks, mole skin, hydration and sweat-proof sunscreen.  I’ve picked up some dangerous addictions: www.steepandcheap.com being a prime example.  I signed on as a member of www.trails.com and I scour our area for challenging new trails learning in the process that Southern California is a hiker’s paradise.

Ric and I can literally walk out our front door and start climbing – a fact we didn’t realize when we purchased our ranch house on three acres a little over a year ago.  I placed a couple beautiful wicker rockers and a matching swing on our wide front porch and envisioned us rocking away, sipping our chamomile tea, content to slow down the pace a bit and simply enjoy this life we’ve built for ourselves.

HELLO!

As it turns out, I’m chugging Rev3 and hiking for five or six hours several days a week with my husband and sons cheering me on and usually waiting at the top of the next incline for me.  They’re all far more fit than I am, but they are my most ardent supporters and I want more than anything to measure up to their expectations.  To accomplish that end I’m demanding more of myself than I ever have.  Pat Barry, another USANA associate who has come into my life and become a cherished friend and mentor agreed to be my personal trainer.  When I’m not hiking the hills or training with Pat, I’m at our local gym on the stairmaster or elliptical machine.  I thought by now I’d be thin but alas, that hasn’t happened.   However, I learned during my quick trip to Sanoviv two weeks ago, my body fat percentage has dropped by about 12% and has been replaced by lean muscle.  Yes, Dr. Strand…I know that’s a good thing…but I’d still like to get thin.  Perhaps a diet of Yak stew (really, that’s what Werner says we’ll be eating!) might do the trick.

So, here are a few of the hundreds of pictures we’ve taken over the past four months.  Isn’t the scenery breathtaking?  And I’m pretty sure it’s only going to get better from here on out.  We leave for Kathmandu on the first of May and if all goes well, I’ll be in Hong Kong at our International Celebration to give a full report of what it felt like to stand in the shadow of the tallest mountain on earth.

Zak, me, and Ryan

Me and Ric

Lake Hodges

Chicks dig scars

Ryan, me, and Zak testing our poles

Dax soaking his legs after the Catalina Marathon

Ryan, me, and Zak at Lake Hodges

Ryan

Ric and me

Hiking in the snow at Tahquitz Peak with Zak and Ryan

Tahquitz Peak - before

Tahquitz Peak - after

When writing blogs, I feel a responsibility to provide tips and ideas for my USANA family, some little nugget that might help you in building your own USANA business.  So, here is my tip for this month:
If the mountain were smooth, we couldn’t climb it.

God Speed –

Collette

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You Deserve This!

Sanoviv is a special sanctuary - an integral part of the vision of Dr. Wentz. I consider it my personal heaven on earth. It's where I go when I need to refresh and renew and each time I'm there, I pick one evening to be floating on my back in the infinity pool as the stars come out. I've made lots of wishes as I've star-gazed and one of them came true today. I've wished more of the USANA family could experience the serenity and healing that my family and I have experienced at Sanoviv. It's now your turn.. you deserve this...and you're hearing it here first.

My dear friend Tris Conley sent a message to me today outlining a new program called the "Healthy Weekend Getaway" designed to give everyone the opportunity to enjoy Sanoviv. He wanted my opinion...and I was so excited about it all I asked if I could be the first to promote it. Here are the details:

The program will consist of:

• 3 Nights Room and Board (arrival Thursday, departure Sunday)
• All Meals and juices
• Hospital Tour
• Orientation
• Spa Orientation
• 1 Spa therapy per person (massage)
• 1 Salon therapy per person (manicure, pedicure, facial)
• Lectures (Healthy Living, Nutrition and Detox, Healthy Cooking)
• Yoga
• Meditation (every day and sound meditation on Saturday)
• Energy Medicine
• Fitness
• Access to Gym, Pools and Sauna
• Shuttle from San Diego airport or Amtrak Station

Call for details 1-800-SANOVIV (726-6848)

***Additional Spa services can be requested a la carte***

Also in an effort to educate and advise our guests into a healthier path we will offer 3 diagnostic tests :

• HRV (Heart rate variability)
• Dark Field (live blood analysis)
• BIA (Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis)

COST:
$2,500 per couple
$1,500 solo rate

***The program is intended for couples, families, friends. Single room with companion suite, double occupancy***

Now, an honest confession. I've never been able to get my own husband to Sanoviv! He's always felt he didn't have the time, he wouldn't be able to stay in one place that long, yoga's not his thing, he can't live without tortilla chips and guacamole...blah, blah, blah. But now, with this couple's getaway, it's a done deal! Even my very restless husband agrees these four days and three nights are just what the doctor ordered. We hope to see you there. Call ASAP (1-800-SANOVIV) to reserve your weekend.

USANA's Dan Macuga offers a glimpse inside Sanoviv

Here are a  few other posts about Sanoviv:

• Let the Healing Begin
• A Day in the Life of Sharlie at Sanoviv

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