My friend Stacey sent me a link to a TEDxCanmore talk of Linh Huynh’s remarkable account of how her harrowing journey to Canada as part of the Boat People of Vietnam helped craft a life of daring and wonder. In November 2014, she became the 1st Canadian woman to complete the Four Deserts, a series of 250 km self-supported, 7 day races through the hottest, driest and windiest deserts on earth, and by doing so in one calendar year became the 8th woman in history to complete it as a Grand Slam.
“One of the things that plays through my mind when I’m going through something hard like this is to enjoy the moment because one day you will feel nostalgic for this moment. And for whatever pain you’re going through…we love the past, our minds live there, we glorify it. But I knew that one day I would be nostalgic for this moment and that idea pushes me along.”
What made this presentation “Rethinking Limits” so remarkable? She’s not an ultra athlete, hates running and in fact, finished last in her races. But her determination is downright inspiring. Her humble presentation is hilarious and poignant. It almost makes me want to set such a lofty goal.
But I think I’ll just go eat cookies instead.
I'm a Canadian-born mom of two, former Denver Post columnist, family travel writer, editor of MileHighMamas.com and 9News contributor. Expert on all things Utah, Denver, family and travel. Lover of laughter and life. Happily married to a man obsessed with growing The Great Pumpkin. 