Pain, purpose and new passions.
While attending the 2023 OPNN (Orthotics Prosthetics National Network) Conference we had the pleasure to hear and later meet, keynote speaker, Kyle Stepp.
During his speech “Turning Pain into Purpose” we began to see a clearer picture of him. As an above knee amputee, cancer survivor, Para-olympian in triathlon, community organizer and activist.
Since, we’ve been sharing his adventures and successes to inspire our patients and everyone we meet.
Special thanks to kylestepp for allowing us to share his inspiring instagram post.
What’s something you have always wanted to try? I have been thinking a lot about the beauty of trying something for the first time or pursuing a new passion, especially as an adult. So often, many of our hobbies, interests, and passions start as a kid because of friends and family, and we stick to what’s comfortable.
The beauty of starting something new as an adult is the fresh perspective it brings. Unlike childhood, where every activity is a discovery, adulthood is often weighed down by responsibilities and expectations.
The last two weeks, I had the opportunity to experience the the beauty that comes from doing something for the first time (personally, running my first half marathon w/ @team_catapult @brockhedgecoke ) and witness a friend experience their first (@dmd_09_ skiing for the first time)
Starting something new is often scary because, in all honesty, we are afraid to be the newbie or afraid it won’t turn out as “expected.”
But what if it turns out better than you expected?
I discovered my love for physical activity and outdoor adventures in the last few years and didn’t grow up skiing, running, or competing in sports. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t afraid to start many things like skiing, running, or racing because I was afraid to fail or make a fool of myself by not knowing the correct terminology or how to do certain things.
The point is that we are supposed to fall and keep learning something new and try new experiences. This experience taught me an invaluable lesson: It’s never too late to discover a new passion. Adulthood is not the end of discovery but an ongoing journey of exploration and joy.
Go try something new and discover a new passion.
