Jump for Joy (and Play)
Park City, Utah. Lizzie going big.
The question to ask Lizzie Brenkus is not “what have you done?” it’s “what haven’t you done?”. Here’s more on Lizzie, a true Mentor of Play…
I was fortunate enough to meet Lizzie about a decade ago through my work at World Bicycle Relief via a shared friendship with Jordan Rapp who attended Princeton with Lizzie. And, like Jordan, my impression and friendship with Lizzie isn’t based on intellect alone...it’s based on passion and zest for life. Lizzie can really do - and does it all - but she approaches everything with an intentional and playful disposition which I have immeasurable respect for. Be it her work in publication and media, her talent in the arts (dance, singing, music), her enthusiasm as a mom or her significant athletic accomplishments, she lives with this full spirit that embodies everything we believe in here at AR. In short, if Princeton offered a degree in play, she would have graduated with the highest of distinctions. She’s truly Top of the Class.
More with Lizzie:
Describe a little about yourself:
I am an adventure-loving creative, mom to two kids, and big believer in pushing limits. I've lived in cities and mountains around the world and currently call Georgia home. I'm a fan of trying as much as I can in this life and it's led to developing my passions in the performing arts (dance, singing, music), sports (marathoning, ultra-marathoning, and Ironman racing), and media (book publishing, writing, production).
How does play motivate you in your life?
I believe Einstein (one of my muses) had it correct: "Play is the highest form of research."
How do you benefit from it?
In this instant gratification world we now live in, play gives us a healthy alternative to connect with ourselves, each other, and discover more of who we are.
Our motto is Pursue a Life of Play. In your own words, what does this mean to you? How do you live it?
Pursuing a life of play allows me to bring a sense of joy, levity, and wonder to all that I do. There is a hidden side of play to everything that we do, and when we can tap into that, it not only lifts us up throughout our days, but raises the energy for all with whom we connect. This committed practice becomes who we are and can become how we approach the small stuff and the bigger, more challenging stuff that also inevitably comes down the road. Joyful and playful energy is contagious and breaks down barriers. It's really an essential commitment for all of us to bring more play and fun to the world if we want to leave it better than we found it.
