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Mandela’s Muses. The emotion of shame.
I know—that’s a jarring way to start a newsletter from an outdoor organization. But I see it show up all the time. It’s halfway through the year, and for many, shame has crept in quietly. Races canceled. Weight goals missed. Friendships neglected. I hear people talk about how they’ve fallen short of what they hoped 2025 would be. But here’s what I’ve learned:
Dwelling on the past often leads to depression. Fixating on the future? Anxiety.
But on a steep bike climb—when your legs burn and your breath shortens—you’re not thinking about January resolutions or year-end achievements. You’re thinking about this moment. One push. One breath. One turn of the pedals. Shame bears no fruit. It holds us in place.
So as we enter the second half of 2025, let’s trade shame for presence. Let’s replace it with movement, grace, and hope. You don’t have to earn your spot on the trail. Just show up and keep moving forward. — Mandela
Chief Adventure Officer | 
