Sailing Adventures
Painting encourages you to be brave!
Meet the truly phenomenal Tracy Edwards MBE to inspire your next courageous step.
I'm delighted to share a very special guest feature on Heart Notes. Tracy is a British sailor who caused huge waves in 1989 for entering the first all-female crew in the 1989/90 Whitbread Round the World Race on board Maiden. Remarkably, the person who inspired and fully supported her throughout this challenging period was the beloved late King Hussein of Jordan!
It was a great honour to meet Tracy in person at a private viewing of the film Maiden by Alex Holmes. Scroll down for my interview with Tracy and be inspired to take a risk yourself through collage and acrylic paint!
With tremendous courage, determination and passion, Tracy and her team went on to win two legs of this very arduous race and against all odds, came second in class overall!
Tracy was awarded an MBE (Member of the British Empire) for her efforts. Moreover, she was the first woman to win the Yachtsman of the Year Trophy in its 32 year history!
Tracy’s courage in the face of adversity is really inspiring. Sometimes our biggest fears are blessings in disguise if we can be brave enough to face them. What might be waiting for you on the other side? What are you really capable of?
Sara
A Quote I Love
'I can't control the wind but I can adjust the sail.'
(Ricky Skaggs)
Guest Feature
I'm honoured to introduce you to the phenomenal Tracy Edwards MBE. Her story is an inspiration to all of us. Tracy very kindly agreed to share her thoughts with you all.
You said you were battling with anxiety and panic attacks during the race. I’m in awe of your courage in the face of those feelings and how you pushed through them and not only completed the race but won second place against all the odds. How did you deal with them?
I had great people around me and they kept me going. H.M. King Hussein and my Mum were always ready with good advice and the right words of encouragement. Staying focused on the end goal also helped me push through although it made me pretty difficult to live with!!
What was the greatest lesson you came away with after overcoming the challenges facing you?
The biggest lesson for me was the power of teamwork and the building of lifetime friendships. I also learned that women are so incredibly powerful at the same time as being empathetic. I learned that we work differently to men when in teams and how effective we can be in challenging situations.
What advice can you offer those who are struggling with inner blocks that prevent them from moving forward in their life? What can help them face their inner demons such as anxiety or fear?
Well I would say the second most important thing I learned was how to ask for help. Often we cannot see how to move forwards and even if the friend you speak to can’t work it out either, just saying things out loud to another person can often help. Making a plan for yourself and sticking to it can also help.
Tracy's story stayed with me long after that evening - the reminder that the boldest work begins before we feel ready. It is the same lesson the studio teaches, one panel at a time.
From the Hu Collection
Eternal 2020 - mixed media on panel, 30 × 30 cm (Sold)
