Focused by Noelle Pikus-Pace & Q/A Session

  If you haven't had a chance to read Focused: Keeping Your Life on Track, One Choice at a Time by Noelle Pikus-Pace, you are for sure missing out. This book hit Deseret Book shelves on Tuesday, September 9th.

About:

Where are your choices leading you? Regardless of our circumstances, each moment presents us with decision to make. It doesn't matter what question, trial, or success we experience—each traces back to a choice. At any given moment, we can choose to doubt, fear, worry; to be prideful, angry, depressed, or miserable—or we can choose to move forward. We can choose to be a light. We can choose to be happy. The choice is always ours, and each choice can be a step forward on the path of life we want for ourselves. 

The life lessons learned by Olympic athlete Noelle Pikus Pace can equip each of us to turn daily choices and challenges into opportunities for growth. In her warm and relatable style, Noelle shares touching personal stories and teaches how these experiences can help us keep a healthy perspective on the things that matter most. She helps us to see that though all of our goals and trials are different, we each can choose to become the best versions of ourselves one day at a time. 

Covering topics from letting go of expectations and pressures to finding a healthy life balance, from standing up for ourselves to standing for righteousness, world champion Noelle Pikus Pace infuses readers with the enthusiasm and confidence to get a little closer to their goals each and every day.
LDS Olympian Faced With Modesty Dilemma During Photo Shoot (Click Here)

 About the Author:

NOELLE PIKUS PACE became the first American woman to win the Overall World Cup Title in skeleton in 2005. After playing a variety of sports through high school and college, her exceptional strength in skeleton made her favored to win the gold medal in the 2006 Winter Olympics. An unfortunate accident prevented her from competing, but the following year she came back to win the World Championships by the largest margin in the history of the sport. Noelle competed in the 2010 Winter Olympics and was the top U.S. finisher, placing fourth.

She retired after the Olympics to spend more time with her family. Following a miscarriage in April of 2012, Noelle and her husband, Janson, decided that she would try one last time to earn an Olympic medal, on the condition that the family would all travel together. Competing in 32 national and international competitions over two years, Noelle finished on the podium 29 times and concluded her career by triumphantly winning the silver medal at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, and jumping into the stand to share the moment with her family and the world.
Noelle earned a bachelor’s degree in 2005 and a master of business administration degree in 2007. Noelle and Janson have two children, Lacee and Traycen.

In my opinion:

This book was so inspiring, I will probably read it again and again especially when times are hard. Noelle is one amazing woman with a strong heart. This book hit home for me. I loved the layout of the book espeically the quotes such as, "Rise above it all, whatever holds you back, and become who you want to become" and "Be fearless and love yourself for who you are" and "It is easier to stand with courage in the days to come if you decide today who you are and what you stand for."

Are we focused? Or do we give up when times are hard? Noelle had some pretty difficult challenges but she always held her head up and kept a positive attitude. If you've met her, you will know how focused she truly is. Her book asks, "Where are your choices leading you? It doesn't matter what question, trial, or success we experience-each traces back to a choice." So, it is up to us to keep our lives on track in accordance to the gospel of Jesus Christ. We must live worthily each and every day to truly be happy. I know that to be true even when times are hard and I want to give up. I'm grateful that I had the chance to read Focused by Noelle. It helped me to keep going during my daily challenges.

I was privileged to meet Noelle for a little Q&A session on September 9th and it was the highlight of my day. I was able to hold an Olympic Silver medal for the first time and Noelle photo bombed my photo. And, I found out she went surfing with my brother, Ryan and is the niece of one of our close friends, Carol. She was seriously one of the coolest people I've met!

Here are some of the questions that were asked by a group of about ten of us...

1-What advice would you give to maintain balance? 
Everything is tied together. My life isn't picture perfect. I decided to put a gym in the basement to workout before my kids woke up. I believe quality time with kids is important.

2-Who were you closest to when your family was far away?
Heavenly Father. I was around people with different beliefs. They tried to get me to do things contrary to my beliefs and I didn't need to be the designated driver. I did my best and focused on missionary work.

3-How long did it take to write the book?
I always dreamed of writing a book. It was a day after I got home from the Olympics and Sheri Dew contacted me. We discussed life and what I wanted to do. I told Sheri that I wanted to change one person's life. I started writing the book in March and finished in April. 

4-What are your future goals?
I would love to write some kids books. My close goals are smart and attainable. My faraway goals are to grow my family.

5-Does your kids bring up the World Cup Circuit?
My daughter started speed skating and at one of her competitions told me, "Look mom, I'm at the Olympics." I want her to do her own thing and develop her own talents. I know my children can do anything through hard work, sacrifice and commitment.

6-Who is someone that has made your day? 
You meaning the group at the Q/A session. I can feel your spirit to learn and grow.

7-Did you have specific people to do missionary work for?
I had negative feelings after my miscarriage. However, I moved forward with faith. There was noone in mind but I gave a handful of Book of Mormons out. There was a teammate that I didn't get along with. It was a challenge for both of us. Then the light switch went on. We realized we were on the same team so we supported each other. My husband and I thought that we should give her a Book of Mormon. At the Olympics it was now or never. I bore my testimony and wrote it in the front of the Book of Mormon. I said a prayer before and when I bore my testimony we both cried and felt the spirit.

8-Who is your hero?
 My mom. She fights for what she believes in and does service. She was always there for me.

Words of advice...
"How can we improve today? Think of three simple goals each day and complete them."

"Where you look is where you go."

"Let your light shine."

"We all have potential and Heavenly Father wants us to know that we are worth so much more than Rubies."

Tidbits...
Loves to bake
Enjoys cooking
 Loves Halloween
Won the 6th grade spelling bee
 Plays the piano but not in church
When she was younger she made parachutes instead of playing with Barbies.
Wants to be fluent in Spanish and learn Sign Language

  

Overall, I was pretty impressed with Noelle Pikus-Pace and was so grateful to meet her. She was an incredible human being and I'm pretty sure she will change many people's lives through our example and love for others. 

Be sure to check out Noelle Pikus-Pace at Time Out for Women on November 21-22, 2014. Find the details at HERE.

Hope to see you there! Wait till you see my blog post about TOFW....coming soon.