Sue Thompson
Carving doesn’t come easy to her, but she’s determined keep going
UPDATE: Thanks to the sharp eyes of Trikke Trainers Chad Guillory and Douglass Weymouth, who noticed that Sue’s front wheel is on backwards. TrikkeWorld is in the process of helping Sue resolve her problem. Perhaps this will lead to her unlocking the key to the sweet spot? We’ll keep you posted. Read the follow-up story here.
I can’t remember whereI saw an ad for the Trikke, but most certainly, it was an infomercial. It also happened while I was working toward a significant weight loss (75 pounds) and wanted something to do besides running or using my ski machine. I truly detest exercise but enjoy being outdoors on beautiful summer days in Delaware, so I walk and run on the wide, tree-lined streets of a country club neighborhood near my own. The Trikke offered something different and looked fairly easy. I saved my pennies and purchased one a few years ago.
I tried a few times to get it going and found myself quite frustrated. It was a full year before I set myself to earnestly learning the moves that would have me rolling on my Trikke.
I watched every video I could find online and took my Trikke out every single day for at least an hour, forcing my way along the quiet streets early in the morning. I knew that if I kept at it, I’d eventually find the sweet spot.
Around this time, I was just starting my own business. I’m a public speaker and corporate trainer of critical, interpersonal skills that can make or break a job seeker, an employee seeking promotion, or a company wanting to improve its reputation or be taken more seriously with its clients or customers.
I call the company (and the mindset) Exceptionality. I write a monthly newsletter and do a regular tele-seminar on character at a website called Your Character Is Showing. I also have a blog called Etiquette Dog.
Getting Exceptionality moving was a struggle and every morning that I was out on the Trikke, I found myself thinking there were parallels between the work of propelling myself forward on this new, three-wheeled contraption and pushing forward in a line of work that depended solely upon my efforts.
I felt that if I could improve on my Trikke, I’d take a step forward in my business, because that’s how it is — you have to keep at it, be consistent and find what works for you. I’d watch another video on getting started on the Trikke and try every bit of advice.
The truth is, I have not found the Trikke easy at all. I’m not complaining; it’s something to which I must apply myself and stick with in order to get to the level of freedom of movement I see others enjoying.
I do think there is a lot of oversimplifying the ease of riding the Trikke. It has not come naturally to me; I have not been able to just jump on it and start moving forward on a flat space without some serious push-off. And keeping it going once I’m moving has yet to have the flow I see in videos.
I’m getting better. I can propel myself slowly, and once in a while, I almost feel like I’ve found the sweet spot! I’m just finding it difficult to sustain. It’s also true, though, that I really have fun on this thing and the continual use is a tremendous workout!
Just like my business, it’s something I want to do and will continue to do, no matter how frustrating it can be. It’s an exercise that will be a part of my life, whether I do it full-time or on the side. I love the almost deceptive nature of the muscle workout I’m getting on the Trikke — I get in shape just rocking and rolling? Really?
I love being out on a gorgeous day, listening to music and applying myself to something I know I’ll be proud of once the hour has passed. I have a feeling that once I’m able to fly on this baby, I’ll be flying with Exceptionality!
About Sue Thompson
