In the beginning of 2007, if you asked me “Let’s do a marathon.” I would have replied, “Sounds like a great idea!” Then I would have forgotten the idea and moved on to the next grand scheme, the very next day. As my “corporation” around my belly kept growing at the same time I complained about my achy back. Being athletically challenged and never walking more than 50 feet at one time, I definitely did not have any material to edit and produce a short video, let alone an inspirational and motivational video that would get you out of bed.
Fast forward to 2011, I just completed my 7th Marathon in Pennsylvania, and I was introduced to a YouTube video titled, “the most inspiring video you will ever watch” by my friend Scott on Facebook. It was about a guy named Roger Wright. He weighed 277 pounds and decided to run the Boston Marathon. He dedicated his run for his niece, Julia who has Cystic Fibrosis. He lost 113 pounds and raised over $11,000 for Team Boomer (Cystic Fibrosis Foundation). That video got me inspired to think that maybe I can do a video.
Then I found a video on Ben Davis’ (Ben Does Life) video: another video that is motivational. Here is the link, titled "My 120 pound journey." You can see him do a marathon and complete an Ironman with his brother and father.
Both videos helped me focus on my goal to Create a Healthier World for my Kids to Step Into! I figure I start with a great song. Both videos used Coldplay’s “Fix You.” I love that song, but I didn’t think I wanted to repeat that song for my video. I have always been drawn to Greenday’s “Time of your Life.”
I even reached out to Roger Wright and he suggested using Windows Movie Maker. I was surprised how easy it was to produce and how often it crashed, but I got the hang of it and saved often. While laying the track and finding pictures to insert, I found myself running past the song. So I shortened the time of the images. The song is a short 2:57 and the pictures were flashing too fast. So I turned to David Cook’s “The Time of My Life.” That gave me another minute and enough time to tell my story.
While I am always critical and hate to watch myself on camera, I had a tear when I watched the entire video from start to finish. What surprised me was that some people actually got emotional enough to shed a tear.
I hope you find my video inspirational enough to make any changes you want in your life. You can see my journey from 245 pounds to 190 pounds. Please enjoy my video here and help me “Create a Healthier World!” Let me know if you share it.
Feel free to contact me if you have any question or comments, and enjoy the rest of the year and make 2012 awesome!
Please visit www.runwithnoah.com for additional inspiration.
