Standing at the Podium of Financial Success

As I watch people like Michael Phelps, Missy Franklin, Gabby Douglas, Serena & Venus Williams, and 15 year old sensation Katie Ledecky it almost makes me tear up each time our National Athem is played. After all, who doesn't feel a bit of pride as we all love winners.

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What most of us don't see however, is the day-to-day training these gold medalists go through. The nagging injuries, the long hours of doing the same thing over and over, and the mental challenges all athletes go through are things most of us can't understand.

I can relate a bit as I once was an inspiring Olympic athlete with a dream to compete.

B.C. (Before Children), I was an Olympic Style Weightlifter for 10 years. I held just about every state record during "the day" and was blessed enough to get to participate in 8 national championships and be chosen to complete on 2 Olympic Festival Teams. While standing at the podium was always a thrill, the work it took to get to the podium seemed quite impossible at times. Some hurdles I overcame included:

• Training 12 times a week.
• Having my fair share of nagging injuries.
• Training while working full time.
• Paying my own way to each and every event.
• Missing out on all on the "fun" times most people my age were experiencing.
• Having gone through some of these obstacles that most athletes face, I can tell you that victory was all the sweeter when standing on the podium receiving my medal.

Even with all this financial success, I tell you honestly that my family's victory over paying off debt is even more thrilling than any of the closet full of medals I have.

Paying off debt is much like what an Olympic athlete goes through. Few will take up the gauntlet to get their finances in order, yet those who choose to will experience feelings like a gold medal Olympic athlete. The days may be long, yet the journey the journey will be worth it.

My challenge to you is to jump in your own financial Olympics and go for the gold. How can you start?

• Draw a line in the sand, stop being a financial couch potato, and decide you are going to be financially fit.
• Start living on a budget.
• Visit Finance/Career page and start checking out some of the great resources we recommend.

Question: What ways are you training to reach your own podium of financial success?

Live Beyond Awesome.

Jen McDonough

Twitter@ TheJenMcDonough

Website: www.theironjen.com

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