How To Feel Alive Again

The Day I Skipped Being Serious

I felt a buzz as I stepped over the colored lights that marked the performance area.

The 4 ½ foot whip in my hand.

As I crossed over those lights, everyone else seemed to vanish.

The music played in the background and was immediately washed out as the whoosh of fire communicated the Fire Whip coming to life.

I could hear the flames crackling as the music returned and I started to move.

The whip gliding around, over and behind me, loud crack of crack echoing with each swing.

The final crack was when the fire went out, the fuel spent.

I had only been in the performance area for a moment.

A moment that lasted for several minutes.

I became aware of my breathing as I sucked in air, realizing how much I had exerted myself.

I felt whole, complete and alive!

Over the past 5 months I have been working to learn fire flow with contact staff and fire whip.

I watched performer after performer seem to glide, weave, and move effortlessly.

Their prop and extension of themselves, yet it had eluded me; at least until now!

For the first time I knew what it meant to FLOW.

Afterwards, I spent some time reflecting on what I had just experienced and challenged myself to understand what had shifted that enabled me to enter the state I had been seeking for many months.

It turns out that movement and focus were what changed and if I sum them up together right now, the key was that I decided to PLAY instead of performing.

The focus on play meant that the movement circumvented the roadblocks the Tiger was putting up; creating new pathways of thinking and new pathways to joy.

The same activity with the same actions, yet very different and profound results; all based on the decision to PLAY.

Far too often when we approach something we hit the Tiger’s roadblocks head on.

We become absorbed with concern for what we look like, what other people will think and if we are doing it right.

This was where I have been at for many months with fire flow, continually running into my Tiger’s roadblocks and trying to think of a way to overcome them.

I was focused on performance which meant perfection which meant I could easily find failure without much effort.

Saturday night, I shifted my focus and I CHOSE to PLAY, to approach my time with the fire whip as an opportunity to just be there in that moment and allow my body to move.

WHAM!

In a split second I was past the Tiger’s roadblocks, the whip was cracking, I was smiling as my body and my mind became connected, grounded in the moment and I reached that FLOW state.

I am sure that you are getting a sense that this is a bit challenging for me to clearly explain.

That is true, in part because it is so new and fresh in my adult experience that I am still coming to grips with the simplicity of allowing movement to circumvent the Tiger’s roadblocks.

You may even be asking yourself, “How can I do the same thing?”

Here are a few ways for you to try out and see what works:

Now answer this question:

“When did movement last make you feel alive – not productive, ALIVE?”

It’s time to bring play back into your life.

To rediscover the joy, happiness and freedom that comes with it.

Need a helping hand?

This is exactly why I built PlayWorks.

PlayWorks is a structured experiential learning community designed for adults who want consistent clarity and forward momentum. Through intentional play, movement-based learning, and guided reflection, members build creativity, communication skills, and practical next steps they can apply immediately.

It is not a seminar. It is not passive learning. PlayWorks begins by breaking patterns — using movement and playful interaction to wake up focus, lower resistance, and shift you out of your head. From there we engage, reflect, and you leave with a clear and grounded commitment that feels realistic and ready to move.

Step Inside PlayWorks →

Until next time,

The Tiger Is Inside You.

P.S. If this issue made you think of someone who needs to play, forward it to them. They might need this today.

Quote of The Week:

“Play is the highest form of research.” — Albert Einstein

That is the Tiger that I refer to and the idea of creating the metaphor for the Tiger came from Jim Lawless in his book, Taming Tigers.   

It’s fear and self-doubt dressed up as protection, convincing us to stay safe instead of stepping forward and growing. The Tiger is loud, convincing and relentless, but here’s the truth: it only has the power we give it.

Every time you step forward in spite of that roar, you weaken its grip and strengthen your own. That is what Tiger Letters are all about, sharing knowledge, experience, fears and inner strength to make your dreams a reality.

So, the next time your Tiger ROARS, smile at it, step forward reclaiming your power and break through the fear barrier into your growth zone.

Before you go, here is ONE way you can work with me.

Book your FREE Kickstart Call with me - 1:1 performance coaching to help you break through fear, self-doubt, and procrastination—so you can finally move forward with clarity, confidence, and courage.

Until next time!
The Tiger Is Inside You.