I embarked on board a sailboat in Portsmouth. I indeed went to a challenge retreat weekend organised by 2Blimitless. The aim was to sail the the boat around the Isle of Wight and to work as a team and living as a community with strangers. But the thing that united us was the aspiration for challenges and to get out of our comfort zones. Such incredible people who yearn for growth and high performance. I am so excited in writing about this unforgettable experience. It was my very first experience in sailing and really felt like a kid again despite some challenges that I will explain later.
I was really keen to join this adventure to meet new people and to enjoy being part of a team and community. Meeting new likeminded people excited me the most. There’s so many things I’ve learned and how to use my strengths in position of challenge. Learning how to sail and figuring things out in the process of sailing was another part of the challenge. It was another occasion for me to do some coaching. We also did roundtables together, shared and opened up. I Really felt inner peace at the end of the weekend!
Introduction
Woke up in the morning usual, meditation, journaling, reading and went for a run. I made me so excited that I would be part of such a great adventure. Then packed my stuff and let’s go to Portsmouth! As someone who’s thirsty of discovering new places there we go! Took the National express from Victoria coach station for a 2 hours 30 minutes journey. When I got there the irony was the name of the coach station called “The hard”. For sure this will be hard, but thinking about the fun part of this trip and making new connections.
Went for a walk around the commercial centre, as I go to a new places I can’t hold myself back to explore. With the Spinnaker overlooking the Gunwharf quays and the scenery. Then I walked into the marina to join the team who’s already there and to visit the boat and where will be my sleeping space for the weekend. I was so excited to be present and getting to know and connect with the people on board. I was also very pleased to see those I already know.
Off for a nightly motoring
As soon as I got on board that I was introduced to sailing. One of the most overwhelming parts was the ropes. Of course, sailors never call them “ropes” they call them “lines” or use more specific names, like sheets and halyards. At first, it felt like I was being told a whole new language. The explanations started with the basics: halyards are for raising and lowering sails, while sheets are for controlling the angle of the sails once they’re up. A lot of chats took place as we got to know each other.
We left the port after the sunset in the night and what an incredible experience! Motoring in the starlit night encountering ferries and cargos made me joyful like a kid on an adventure. It reminded me my in my childhood on school trips. Motoring in darkness sounds crazy but was a really good start, until we stopped on the water at proximity of the isle of Wight for dinner and to spend the night. We had a roundtable and talking about what to expect for the weekend. We also did something that is my passion… Some coaching! We finally went to bed late in the night past midnight.
Wake up
Sleeping in the middle of water was a very special and unique experience. It was like a kid dream for me and so grateful. However my night was very short because I’m not used to sleep on a boat that moves side to side. Also sleeping on a hammock instead of my cosy bed at home was a challenge for my. But felt gratitude to be where I am in this moment. Because the aim was to get out of my comfort zone! I didn’t sleep well that night because I’m also not to go to bed past midnight. Felt groggy and tired but felt good after all. Even though I’ve got morning rituals thrown out. Took part in the roundtable where the captain and crew members explained about our route, weather, safety and lifejackets…
It made me so happy to be part of a community life in helping and supporting others in tasks such as cleaning, tidying things up and always seeking where I can help. We prepared lunch with baguettes sandwiches. I felt like at my workplace lol, I showed the team on to perfectly slice a baguette for filling. With my sense of humour I said there is no gherkins and it’s £1.25 extra lol. I had a tuna cheddar sandwich this time.
Let’s rock’n’roll!
We finally departed around lunch time on the solent motoring during the first yards. Until we unfolded the sails by pulling up the lines and the boat tilted on the left hand side. Sat down at the back at a perfect spot sipping my tea and my inner child expressed himself. I was like a kid observing the scenery with the waves splashes. I even took the helm to drive the boat towards its route heading toward the channel where I had to target the fort with the boat’s front. and then I hard to turn left to avoid crashing into the fort. That would be a shame!
I laid down on the sail sheet and felt so comfortable watching the sea and the waves. As the journey goes on the sea started to go rock’n’roll. Indeed the sea started to be rough and felt headache and dizzy. So I went downstairs to go to the loo. Not a very good idea as I struggled to reach the loo cabin. I even felt more dizzy with the boat moving more and more side to side. I literally fell seasick when coming back upstairs and felt so weak. So I had to remain sat down attached with a strap while focusing on the horizon to tell my brain I’m not on moving floor.
Going Through a storm
We slowly entered into a storm, and I never had to face anything like this before. First time in my life sailing and going through a storm, whoa what an experience! We were shaken and splashed as I could hear the screams from people managing at the front. I was still sat down still focused at looking at the horizon completely weakened and seasick and couldn’t hold my stomach. Walls and mountains of water around us, remained quiet in self control. As well as managing my emotions in admiring the spectacle with the immense cliffs of the isle of Wight in the background.
One of the best experience in my life to be honest as I almost cried by fear. But transformed this moment in pure adrenaline and excitement. I laugh at the idea of me going through a storm, like any storm in life. Admiring the beauty of life in the middle of chaos wondering when this roller coaster will end. The view was incredible and felt gratitude about that above all. At the end when the seas became less rough, I committed to eat a banana that my stomach couldn’t hold. I was freezing cold, smiled, said few jokes and got changed to get myself warmed up. I was so exhausted that I fell asleep on my hammock. Woke up for dinner and roundtable talking about the day. What a day!
Last day
Had a better sleep, that I naturally grabbed my journal to go on the deck. I expressed gratitude as I do everyday but this time I said I’m so happy and grateful to be around such incredible people. Strangers who have so many things in common. We all showed vulnerability during this weekend and that what’s made this meaningful. Sipped another tea while eating yummy scrambled eggs with salmon. I was more energised and proud about the day before. I really loved taking part and using my muscle I build at the gym to bring my contribution to the common effort.
For the last day we left in the morning to sail on the Solent to go back to Portsmouth. Watching the scenery as an adventurer, with the Castles and fortifications (To keep the French out lol). As a history lover I got spoiled with the pieces of history of conflicts and rivalries between France and England.
Back to Portsmouth, we packed our stuff and had a last roundtable together. The key thing I shared with everyone is my faith in humanity that people I meet with 2Blimitless gives me. From the community events they organise, APC training to the APC alumni, people I exchange coaching practice hours with. When I see negative people, questionable behaviours, conflicts and chaos in the world, I think about 2Blimitless. Because I feel I belong to something greater that will change the world.
What I learnt from this experience
For the first time in my life I was confronted to a real experience of taking risks. Yes I’m grateful to be back in one piece! Resilience, patience and trust in the process of becoming who you want to be and where you want to go despites storms and what life throws at you. In the meantime observing how beautiful life is and how beautiful our world is despite how some people believe it is. Never be ashamed to show vulnerability and be honest with yourself are also two great take aways.
Humility and uncertainty in the process, like taking very small steps and action. Navigating in uncertainty in my journey of becoming a fulltime coach, writer, speaker, content creator and also organising retreats like this one. But most importantly with a clear vision of where I want to go, with the resources available for me now. Leveraging from my focus strength to avoid seasickness as much as I could. And finally leveraging from my maximiser strength. Being part of a team and bringing support where I can. If there would be only one take away for the whole weekend is I realised I love being surrounded by such amazing people as a maximiser.
I would like to express my deep gratitude to 2Blimitless and Tall ship to make this possible. As well as the team of incredible leaders and crew members. Tank you very much.
Calm seas never made a skilled sailor.
