Monday

I went Over the Edge! #otestpete

Yes, you read that right! I went over the edge of a 28 floor building, and I rappelled down it!


This opportunity was presented to me on my facebook page. I honestly didn't even know what this was. I immediately looked into it. It benefits St. Anthony's Hospital Foundation. It took place on Saturday, August 17th at One Progress Plaza in St. Petersburg, Florida.

St. Anthony’s Hospital Foundation’s Over the Edge
This was taken directly from their website.
The St. Anthony's Hospital's Foundation wants to know: 
"HOW HIGH WILL YOU GO FOR YOUR COMMUNITY?
Dare to go Over the Edge in a fundraising event for St. Anthony’s Hospital Foundation benefitting the Sports Medicine Services among other programs. Participants who raise a minimum of $1,000 will have the opportunity to rappel twenty stories down One Progress Plaza, the tallest building in St. Petersburg! Join us for this event on AUGUST 17, 2013 by visitinghttp://stanthonysfoundation.org/ote/."

So so tall!!!!
When I was first asked, I immediately answered YES! I shared with my mom, and she was shocked that I would do this. Then I told Bryce (my son.) He was excited, but then he started to have second thoughts. A few days before, he begged me not to do it. He said he was really scared that something bad would happen.  I ALMOST backed out. But I decided to take a different approach with him. I talked about how excited I was and how I knew that I would be safe. I wanted him to see that this would be something that I could do to prove to myself that I am capable of anything. He ended up telling me that he wanted me to do it.

I actually didn't truly believe that I would actually follow through with it. I tried not to think about it. When we got to the building and I looked up, I laughed out loud. Seriously? Did I really think I would do this?  I figured that I would get up there and chicken out. And then my sweet little boy turned and looked at me and told me that he was so proud of me for doing this. We saw a man coming down, and he let go with one hand and waved... WOW! I was impressed, but even more than that, I knew when I came down, I HAD to wave at Bryce so he would know that I was okay, even if I wasn't really.

We went up the elevator to get suited up.  Bryce wouldn't be able to wait at the top with me, but he was able to see me get suited up. It was good for him to see all of the equipment they used to keep me safe. I could see that he was really relieved too. He look at all the gear and took photos while I suited up.
He was really excited to know that it was his job to take all of these photos.

Tropicana Field
I am not sure you can tell by these photos, but I was FREAKING out right about now. I knew that I had to keep it together for Bryce, but EHHH!!!

We headed up to the roof, and Bryce did get to ride up there with me. He took a great picture of our favorite place in downtown St. Pete, Tropicana Field, and then he gave me a BIG hug and said he would meet me at the bottom. My dad was downstairs ready to watch with Bryce.

I got a quick tutorial on how to rappel down the building. Oh my gosh! I was really doing this??? I still didn't believe it.  My biggest fear was that I would get part of the way down and freak out... freeze... I didn't know what they would do if I did that. It turns out, they had a plan for that... not to worry!

It was my turn... Time to go! I closed my eyes as  I went "OVER THE EDGE!" I couldn't look down. My heart was racing... The man in charge talked me over the edge. I was feeling pretty good once I was over. I learned how to let go with one hand, so I was thinking that maybe I could actually wave to Bryce. The man told me to stop and look down to see the little boy waving and cheering. It brings tears to my eyes writing this right now even remembering it. There was my son and my dad waving to me. I went down a few floors and decided to do it.

I let go with one hand, and I looked down at them and waved! HOLY COW! I really did this. I was doing it! I looked around! It was beautiful! I faced my fears and succeeded! It was truly mind over matter. I did it!

The best part of this adventure was not just believing in myself, but it was showing my son that anything is possible! Here is a quick look at how it looked seeing me go down the building...


This is an event Bryce and I are planning to do next year. He can do it if he weighs 100 lbs. next year. I told him that he has to start pumping up! :) We can't wait!

Head over and "like" their foundation's facebook page so you can keep up with the latest info. https://www.facebook.com/stanthonysfoundation

30 comments:

  1. Woo hoo!! Great job! I don't know that I could do it!

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  2. Oh my gosh! I so want to do this! Thanks for bringing this opportunity to my attention. And congrats for going through with it!

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    1. Thanks! It was THE MOST insanely awesome thing I never imagined I would do!

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  3. Oh my LORD! There is no way I would do that! But look at you! I am so proud of you!!!!! That is a truly amazing accomplishment!!!

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  4. How amazing. I am so terrified of heights. I don't know if I could be as brave as you.

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    1. I am pretty scared of heights! I now know I would do it again too! So fun!

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  5. That's pretty cool that you had the opportunity to do that! I've never rappelled but it seems like a pretty exciting thing to do!

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  6. what fun! Good for you - I'd be scared to death but it sounds like a great way to challenge yourself. If anyone can join, how can I find out about next years event?

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    1. I am sure you can shoot them a message on their facebook page. See the link above :)

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  7. Wow! They say you should do something that scares you everyday -- you probably earned a few day's worth. I love how you handled things with your son.

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    1. Aww! Thank you! It was awesome!

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  8. That is so cool! I'd love to try something like that at least once in my life.

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    1. You really need to! So much fun!

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  9. Oh my goodness! You are so brave, I don't think I have it in me to do that! Congratulations, I'm sure afterwards it felt awesome! :)
    Karen @karenlovestorun

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    1. It was such a rush! I don't think my feet touched the ground for days! I was flying high for sure! Amazing!

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  10. What a fabulous adventure! I'm glad you didn't back out and that Bryce was still a part of it. I wish it had been better publicized.

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    1. I hope they let me work with them next year! I will publicize it like crazy! It was AH-MAZING!

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  11. OMGOSH.
    impressively terrifying :-)

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    1. Thanks MizFit! IT was so terrifyingly awesome!

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  12. Wow that was awesome Mindy!! Love the video in there. I've never repelled before but now I'm thinking this is something I could do and maybe get my kids to do it too... Great post!! :)

    Train Healthy Be Wealthy

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    1. Thank you! Definitely! I cannot wait til next year and hope my son hits the 100 lb mark so he can join me. We can go down side by side!!! CRAZY!

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  13. Wahooooo! What a rush that must have been. It could become addictive!

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    1. Definitely! It has made me think that maybe I would do crazier things... maybe... probably not though... lol... but definitely doing this again!

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  14. So proud of you!! You are amazing!

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    1. Thank you jenny! That means a lot coming from you!

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  15. Certainly a good cause and a wonderful life lesson for your son... but you are much braver than me!

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    1. I appreciate that compliment for sure! That means a lot!

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