The Crowning Moment!

Mrs. International 2014 Crowning: http://youtu.be/XvJuHdUw-jY

This will always be the greatest honor in my life to be crowned Mrs. International 2014 with so many absolutely amazing, courageous women and now sisters by my side.

  If you would have asked me just a few years ago when in the midst of building construction projects "Where do you see yourself in 5 years" , this likely would not have been on my list. Once I heard about International Pageants and the platform focus and saw what was possible to serve others, to be a champion for a cause and see the hearts of people around the world, it was an easy decision to pursue joining a legacy standing nearly 3 decades.

  Could I have easily told myself "I'm not enough" or "Don't work so hard" , "You're not experienced enough", etc? Absolutely. BUT.....everyday God told me "You are enough", "You are strong" , "Be Courageous" . It's not a crown and sash, it's an OPPORTUNITY of a lifetime to serve and connect with others like you never imagined. Can I still serve others without it and would I if I didn't win? Absolutely. Being a part of a prestigious organization like International Pageants elevated our efforts with Soles4Souls to an extended global outreach. Pageantry is a humbling experience, standing in front of crowds sharing your soul with every second being an opportunity to bring hope, bring love and bring awareness for your passion....your platform.

This moment is dedicated to my brother and best friend Susan. The loss of their lives has forever shaped how I operate while on earth. Their funerals a daily thought on my mind and watching their graves go in to the ground part of the fuel for my fire to love people.

    I'm a little girl who grew up in my brothers hand me down clothes, no one ever showed me how to use makeup and based on my family's history, could have easily gone down a dark path. Light was brought into my life through Grace and I have never looked back. We are all given one basic equality in life and that it choice. Every single second I am glad for the fire that was placed inside me to choose to live beyond my circumstances, NEVER letting them define me, but taking the path of few, a path that you don't know where it leads to, but YOU are called to follow with faith and courage with all of your heart.

  That is what I did in 2014. Sacrifice, commitment, faith. I'm never asking anyone to full understand my decision to join the International Pageants Family, but I do ask for you to believe in yourself and all that you are capable of, to take risks and have faith. Choose happiness, work hard and of course Never Give Up. One more thing...don't forget to sparkle <3

<3 Mrs. International 2014

American Ninja Warrior

Before writing anything else, a HUGE thank you to the producers and casting crew of American Ninja Warrior for the opportunity. There are soooooo many amazing athletes and good hearted people in the world and to be selected as one of the 125 for our region our of only 5 regions is such an honor I am truly grateful for. Thank you!

Well friends, by now you have either seen my fall or this is how you are finding out that yes, the first obstacle took me out!

How did it happen? Simple....Overconfidence.

Normally in competitions I get so nervous...extremely focused, kind of off on my own and pacing around. No moment is taken for granted. Every step is one at a time.

As they called my name when waiting in the holding area, I was doing sprints, jumping up and down and finding a place to take a knee and say a prayer. Riled up more than you can imagine before competing. My mental preparation was in overdrive...I could literally see myself hitting the buzzer at the top of the warped wall, arms up in victory. Pointing at my son in the stands with tears of joy. Hmmm.  That was not reality.

I stepped up to the start. Crowd cheering, waving and greeting them back (What an awesome crowd by the way, Denver has great people and I appreciate everyone who came to watch! ). I took deep slow breaths in anticipation of my name being called as you cannot start the course until the buzzer sounds. Quintuple steps? PIECE OF CAKE I thought to myself. My legs are stronger than strong, my agility amazing and I did steps like those at Worlds Toughest Mudder for 24 hours....first obstacle, not a problem rattled around in my mind as I approached the stairs to take the helm.

Horn sounds. At the crisp cold hour of 2am with a slight breeze in the 32 degree weather, I launched to the first quintuple step, then the next...and the next annnnnnnnd......splash.

WHAT? What just happened. As my arms scraped down the side of the step, no where to grip in site I could not believe it. Fail. All the build up, all the hype and one big splash.

Overconfidence. I could find plenty of excuses if I allowed myself of why I did not make it past 3 steps, but I refuse to live in a life of looking back and not taking responsibility for a failure. Lets look at that word one second further....I also don't believe in it. As Thomas Edison said, " I have not failed...I just found 10,000 ways to successfully not do something" when he talked about his repeated attempts to invent the light bulb.  So, Denver American Ninja Warrior was just me figuring out how to successfully not do the quintuple steps. Time to keep moving forward because at the end of the day....there are millions of people that needs shoes on their feet and love in their hearts! #GiveShoesGiveLove

I cannot thank everyone nearly enough for all of the support, encouragement and belief in me to make it through the course. That course has a piece of my heart on it and next year Lord willing I will try to reclaim it and hit that buzzer for Soles4Souls....for my family, my brother, my best friend, for you.

Never ever be afraid to try something. It was a risk to try American Ninja Warrior. It was do or die in front of millions of people, but to take a chance for Soles4Souls...worth it. Falling in freezing water in front of world wide audience. yes please, because now they know...and you know of a hope for a new day tomorrow and more chances.


 A personal thank you to Noah Tal Kaufman, AKA NinjaDoc and his wife for  allowing Charlie and I to stay there along with some others while getting ready to compete. The Kaufman's are just really, really good genuine people. One more note to all the competitors I met, ALL of you are wonderful and amazing. You inspire me!

Here are a few fun pictures from the journey:

Thank you to Jesse Graff who helped me train, she is amazing, watch out for her next year on American Ninja Warrior! A Huge thank you as well to At Dunn and Chelsea Cooley Altman from Toned To Win who helped prep me physically and mentally. They are amazing at what they do!

Climbing is a must training for ANW

Lots of climbing. Lots of blisters.Worth it.

This is what hours....and hours of training late at night result in. There is not a funner person to train with than this woman!

Heading out to Denver mother's day weekend with my family cheering me on :)

Charlie and I making our way over the Colorado border

Ready for producer interviews

Behind the scenes interviews, fun crew

Denver lunch date competition prep

Training Fun pre-event

Competition day lunch with fellow competitors

"Ninja Cowboy" showing Charlie how it is done :)

Filming pre competition

Resting up before we go. We did not film until after sunset, so we had a while!

Post competition...still smiling! Until next year friends! #GiveShoesGiveLove

Advantage of not making finals....Spending the day hiking in Colorado with your son. Love Him!

Cheering on the other competitors the next night for finals with some really amazing people who are fun to hang with!

There it is....the Ninja Warrior Experience!
Thank you for your support of Soles4Souls and my family!
Warmly,
  Maggi
Your Mrs. Great Plains International 2014