Some people walk the talk; others ride the crazy talk.
In 2014, I manifested a matte black Harley Davidson 883 Sportster Iron from an image on my office wall. But when I finally walked into the London dealership Warrs to take her home, I was so petrified I couldn’t even ride her off the lot. For three years, HeiD sat almost dormant, her mileage embarrassingly low, mostly restricted to the 7km commute to work.
Then came the “foolish” seed of an idea: “You ride her to Italy, Francy!”.
The seed grew into a plan: to ride 1,500km from London to my hometown north of Venice – Fonte/Asolo (TV). I wasn’t a “biker girl”. I was someone who still felt like a snail on motorways, and caused long queues of cars behind me. But through coaching, I broke down the daunting goal into a feasible to-do list and aligned the challenge with my rediscovered values: freedom, adventure, and contribution.
The Ride That Changed the Roadmap
I didn’t just want an A-to-B journey. I wanted an impactful transformation – for myself and others. I buckled up my touring luggage and set off with three goals (other than making it there alive!):
- Contribute: I volunteered at the Refugees Community Kitchen in Calais (France) and raised funds for the Acts of Kindness Collective following tragic floods in Nepal.
- Connect: I stopped in Alsace (France), where I grew up, to give a presentation to local students about Nepal and building courage. I visited friends in Austria before crossing the last border.
- Celebrate: I cherished every mile of the way, and reached the finish line in Italy on my 40th birthday, in tears, greeted by my twin brother and a noisy warm welcome from family and friends with balloons and banners.
The “Gr8fool” Revelation
On those long, scary, often dark roads, riding became a mindful meditation. I ran out of songs to sing in my helmet and was forced to focus on the “now”. My mind quieted, and I felt fully present. Experiencing a mixture of crushing fear and overwhelming joy.
I named the journey’s Instagram account @theGr8fool— a blend of Gratitude for my strengths and the possibilities available to me, the Fool for the courageous part that dares to do the “crazy” thing and Great, for doing things greatly. A Fool is not limited by the stories they were told!
What was once totally outside my comfort zone became my new reality. Gr8fool was born from the realisation that the silliest ideas are often the stepping stones for your most transformational life experiences.
Since that first journey, HeiD and I have travelled the continent again, each trip building the confidence I once lacked.
Today, I continue to bring unconventional ideas to life – not just for myself, but for the clients I coach. Whether it’s a personal shift or a new business venture, I help others navigate the fear and find the joy in feeling truly alive.
Is there a crazy idea you’ve been keeping buried or hanging on your office wall?
