Defining "What's Beautiful"

Back in the beginning of May, I decided to enter Under Armour Women's What's Beautiful Competition - a competition to redefine the female athlete and find new faces to represent Under Armour Women. I was really unsure about entering, mainly because it required that I step firmly outside of my comfort zone and challenge myself. Frankly, I was scared and intimidated by all the other  incredible female athletes out there. 

In the end, I completed all 19 challenges and then some. I focused on my physical therapy and rehab, I rock climbed and tried stand-up paddleboard, I designed some gear for Under Armour, and I jump roped.

No, I wasn't chosen as one of the 10 finalists, but by the end of it, I really didn't care. The competition had become something more for me. You see, I tend to be more of an introvert than an extrovert. I don't like broadcasting my achievements. I'm not the loudest one in the room shouting to be heard. For me, sharing my story was my biggest accomplishment. For one of the challenges, we had to write a letter from our "future self" to our "current self." My note is below and I think it sums up what this experience has meant to me. 

More than anything, I have been so grateful for all of your support over the weeks - your comments, tweets and messages (and pictures and videos that I roped my family into sending me). Thank you so much. It truly meant the world to have your support and to hear that my story resonated with some of you. It reinforced for me the collective power that our individual stories can have to inspire, to change the conversation, to create laughter, and to connect with others - that's what's beautiful.