The Big Bets That Changed My Life (And Why I'm Coaching 100 People to Make Their Own in 2026)

I’ll never forget the day I qualified for Leadville 100 and committed to run 100 miles for the first time — a lofty goal that unimaginable at the time.

Challenged by the pressured question, “Are you in or are you out?” while holding a gold coin, I had just run the Austin Rattler 50K and managed to slide my way into Leadville — a goal I didn’t think was possible, but one that forced me to make the bet on myself and said “Yes, count me in.” I had no idea how I’d pull it off, but I figured I could give it a shot.

Only a couple of years prior, this happened when I put myself on the hook to host a women’s running retreat, while in graduate school at the ripe age of 23. Who would sign up? Could I pull this off? What did I actually have to offer?

I remember pressing “book” on our place and putting the money down, wondering how I could possibly do this. The smart move was to wait — wait until we had more of a following, a framework, additional support (at the time, it was just me and a few friend volunteers). But something in me knew I could figure it out. Something in my new, the key to taking a risk was actually putting myself on the hook.

Turns out, I finished the hundred (albeit, amidst very challenging, almost DNF moments). I filled the retreat (with 18+ women and 5+ speakers I’d never met, all of whom took a chance on me and Strong Runner Chicks).

These bets changed everything. Not because it was easy or because I had it all figured out. But because I stopped waiting for permission to build the life I actually wanted.

Over the last 10~ years (throughout my twenties, now into my thirties), I’ve made dozens of bets on myself. Some worked exactly as planned. Others failed spectacularly and taught me more than success ever could. A few are still playing out.

Here’s what I’ve learned: Big bets aren’t reckless gambles. They’re strategic moves toward the life you’re building, even when you can’t see the full picture yet.

My Big Bets for 2026 include:

These aren’t just goals I’m hoping will happen. These are commitments I’m putting myself on the hook for. Let me walk you through them:

1. Launch a Group Coaching Program For years, I’ve coached 1:1. It’s powerful, but it’s also limited. In 2026, I’m betting that bringing multi-passionate professionals together in a cohort will create even MORE transformation. The risk? Group dynamics are unpredictable. What if it flops? But the bigger risk is never trying.

2. Coach 100+ People to Their Next Big Bet This is the scary one. That’s a lot of people. That’s a lot of trust. That’s a lot of responsibility. But I’ve watched too many brilliant people stay stuck in “someday” mode. If I can help 50, 75, 100 of them move, it’s worth every ounce of effort.

3. TEDx Application I’ve been avoiding this for YEARS. The voice in my head says “who are you to speak on that stage?” But I have something to say about multi-passionate professionals, big bets, and building lives outside the template. Time to say it louder.

4. Social Connection App Launch This one’s brand new territory. I’m building something I wish existed—a way for multi-passionate professionals to connect beyond networking events. Will it work? No idea. But even if it doesn’t, I’ll learn everything about product development in the process.

5. Women’s Startup Workshop and/or a Maxed-Out Running Retreat Back to my roots. I hosted my first women’s retreat at 23 with no idea what I was doing. Ten years later, I’m betting I can create something even more powerful — a space for women to connect, strategize, and stop playing small together.

6. Give 3+ Professional Talks Even if unpaid. Even if it’s just 50 people in a room. I’m done waiting for the “perfect” speaking opportunity. I’m creating my own.

7. Run a 100-Miler in Sub-24 Hours This is the physical bet that mirrors everything else. I’ve run 100 miles before, but never this fast. It requires a level of training, discipline, and belief I haven’t accessed yet. But if I can do this, I can do anything.

8. Uphill Ski Race New sport, new challenge, new way to test myself. The amateur’s advantage: I have nothing to prove and everything to learn.

9. CEC Endurance Strength Workshop Develop and teach a workshop that combines my endurance coaching background with strength training for distance athletes, specifically for trainers and coaches. Share what I’ve learned. Help others get stronger. Simple as that.

Some of these will work. Some will fail. All of them will teach me something.

The first time I heard the word BHAG (Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal) I was at a Lean In women’s group back in college (shoutout to Linda, who organized these in Minneapolis — I happened to be the youngest one there by about 10 years, but that was my style). This was the first time I saw women commit to making BIG, bold moves in their lives, in a group setting to support one another.

I was fascinated.

I subsequently devoured Playing Big by Tara Mohr and proceeded to think bigger about my life, defying the odds of many women I’d grown up around and the messages we’d be given. I realized I’d been playing small and the only thing stopping me — was me. It was time to give myself permission to play big. This, along with subsequent experiences of setting BHAGs, planted the term “Big Bet” in my brain.

Essentially, a Big Bet is a bold commitment you take on yourself — a chance to learn, grow, and challenge yourself in a new way.

Not every decision is a big bet. Here’s what qualifies:

As a longtime coach, I’ve coached countless people to set big goals they didn’t think were possible — to run their first ultras, to smash their PR’s, to reach their fitness goals and improve their health — but the real magic I’ve seen in all of this? How this translates to achieving big things in their lives.

From making cross-country moves to starting or leaving relationships to interviewing and landing dream jobs outside their norm, I’ve seen the power that placing one big bet on yourself can have in so many other realms of your life. And this is precisely why I want to coach people to their next big bet.

Here’s my biggest bet for 2026: I believe there are at least 100 people reading this who are standing at the edge of a decision that could change everything.

You’re thinking about:

You don’t need more information. You need:

That’s what I do. That’s what I’m offering.

The Next Big Bet Method is a 90-day 1:1 coaching program designed for multi-passionate professionals ready to make their move—without burning out or playing small.

Here’s how it works:

This is for you if:

This is NOT for you if:

Step 1: Download my Big Bets Notion Template and spend 30 minutes mapping out what you’re actually considering. Be honest. Be bold. Write the things you haven’t said out loud yet.

Step 2: If you look at what you wrote and feel that mix of terror and excitement, book a free 20-minute strategy call with me here. We’ll talk through your specific situation and see if coaching is the right next step.

Step 3: If it’s not the right time or fit, that’s okay. Keep the template. Keep making bets. That’s the whole point.

Not “Should I make this bet?”

But: “What will I regret more—trying and failing, or never trying at all?”

I already know your answer.

Let’s make 2026 the year you stop preparing and start moving.

Schedule your strategy call here | Download the Big Bets Template | Join the Founding Community of Big Betters