If you run into me during the day, you’ll usually find me in either a tennis or running outfit. I don’t actually play tennis or run every day, but that’s how I’m comfortable. I’m ready for any activity that presents itself: a long walk with the dog or a friend, yard work that needs tending to, or a quick trip to the store. And a few months ago, I caught the attention of a memorable woman named Dottie simply because of my outfit.

I was in the grocery store and a woman asked me if I had just finished playing tennis. I smiled and said no, not today, and we started talking. I really love talking to people, especially when I’m out running errands. It could be a boring, monotonous day but a short conversation with even a stranger can make all the difference. And that’s precisely what happened with Dottie. She ended up telling me that she used to play tennis but she had to give it up about four years ago and she really missed it. Now, Dottie was no spring chicken. But she was very well put together, with fashionable clothes, a modern haircut and soft makeup. She looked beautiful. This prompted me to ask how old she was. Eighty six. Simple math here- that means she stopped playing tennis at eighty-two! I was flabbergasted. And totally inspired. After we finished talking, I turned the corner, got out my phone and made a note to myself to write about this encounter in an upcoming post. 

I can’t possibly talk about tennis and inspiration without mentioning the US Open. Even if you aren’t a tennis player, the human interest side of sports is often times just as intriguing as the competition itself, and there were many compelling and heart warming stories to go along with all the tennis played in New York City over the past two weeks.

After watching Serena Williams play her last professional tennis match, I was curious about the documentary made about her, Being Serena. I had no idea what it was about and I was surprised to learn that it was a film made leading up to, and immediately following, the birth of her daughter, her recovery, and return to the game that has defined most of her life. It was an honest account of the struggles and challenges that come along with creating a meaningful life for yourself while also balancing family and other obligations. A must-see for anyone out there battling with insecurities, time management and self-doubt (Hint- all of us!)

And then there’s Frances Tiafoe, a young American tennis player whose parents emigrated from Sierra Leone. His dad worked construction at a tennis center near where they lived in Maryland. When his dad suggested to Frances that maybe tennis could get him a scholarship to college, he kicked it up a notch and told his dad that it could not only get him to college, but he could use it to change their entire lives. Impressive, to say the least.

It’s somewhat easy to get inspired by a super star. They’re all over the news, in your Instagram feeds and gracing the covers of the latest magazines. But if we take the time to see it, we can just as easily be inspired by someone unexpected, like I was with Dottie. Thank you Dottie, for being limitless, timeless and most of all, fearless.