You Have More In You

Spark #66 - The breakthrough moment that changed everything.

Full disclosure.

Every Spark I write is as much for me as it is for you. I coach myself through the same doubts, the same limiting beliefs. I catch myself playing small—and push past the stories that keep me stuck.

Confidence has been a lifelong battle.

For years, I believed big wins weren’t meant for me. I walked the walk, talked the talk—but deep down, I played small.

Last week, I caught myself in the act.

It was deadlift testing day at CrossFit.

• I’m 60.

• Have two hip replacements.

• I’m usually one of the oldest in the class.

• To be fair, I’m still new to heavy powerlifting.

My best lift before that day? 135 pounds. It matched my body weight. That felt solid.

We had 30 minutes to hit our one-rep max—the heaviest weight we could lift—once.

I figured I’d aim for 140, maybe 145.

At 150, I swore I’d hit my max. My hands shook. My breath was short. I braced myself. This is it, Cara. But I lifted it.

And then I added more.

And more.

My coach caught me staring at the ceiling and reminded me to stop overthinking. She was right. The numbers didn’t make sense.

They felt too big, too much. But I kept going.

Then 160. 165. The weight kept moving.

By the end, I pulled 175 pounds. Clean. Twice.

I stood there, staring at the bar. My heart pounded. My brain scrambled to make sense of it.

I never imagined I could be this strong. But there I was.

And then it hit me.

I’ve done this before.

I’ve stopped short.

Believing I belonged somewhere smaller.

Stuck in the category of almost.

Not just in the gym. As an athlete. A business owner. A speaker. An author.

I was average Cara. I’m done with that story.

My deadlift proved I have more in me. So much more.

And so do you.

You know where you’re playing small. You feel it. It haunts you.

Pick one thing today—your body, your work, your discipline, your creativity.

• Push harder than you think you can.

• Don’t stop where you usually do.

• And definitely don't overthink it.

• Go past the place you always stop.

• And then some more.

• See what happens.

You just might blow your own mind.

Let me know how it goes.

Upgrade for exclusive access to the Sparked Insider Podcast

Consider it mindset fuel for your commute, morning walk, or while you cook.

---