ExoSymnista Spotlight: Lucy

Hi Everyone! Today, I have a very special post about an amazing ExoSymnista friend of mine named Lucy. Not only will she wow you with her insightful perspective, positive attitude, and gracious spirit, but her words will remind you that sometimes the greatest gift is a transformation within.

How long have you had the ExoSym? 10 months

How do you pair the ExoSym with your outfits? I tend to wear skirts more now, with black leggings and socks in the winter, without leggings in the summer (I’ve found Australian Rules Football (AFL) socks work best – but not sure if they’re sold outside Australia!). (Not sure either, but I’m going to have to check these out!) If I’m wearing pants, I skip the long socks and put a compression sleeve on over the knee clasp at the top. I wear the ExoSyms on the outside of my skinny jeans and on the inside of baggy ones. It all depends, but there is always a way to make it work! (yes!!) When I perform in an orchestra, I wear a full-length gown and you would never know I had a pair of ExoSyms underneath, except that I walk and stand so much better. (how cool is that?!) Because I have two ExoSyms, I’ve often had people comment on my “cool boots“, before explaining that they’re not just a fashion statement, which just goes to show how seamlessly they can fit into an outfit. (LOVE THIS.)

Favorite shoe brand to wear with the ExoSym: I wear my ASICS when I am exercising. At work, I’ve found Ecco shoes are best, but success can vary a lot from shoe to shoe, so I’m still trying new brands whenever I can. (I definitely want to try Ecco, too!)

Advice for other ExoSymnista’s: In my experience, things feel different than they look and it’s the way things feel that is really the transformative part. I wondered before I got the ExoSyms whether it might be difficult to wear them in terms of looks, but it hasn’t even crossed my mind. Not being in pain is so transformative that it isn’t even a decision. The way you feel is so much more important in life and as Beth shows on this blog – there is always a way to work the ExoSym into any outfit! (That’s right, there is always a way!)

What makes you feel confident in the ExoSym? I feel stronger when I walk now. I stand upright and don’t limp. I’m building strength in my legs that I’ve never had before in my life. This newfound strength has had a positive effect on my confidence in a way that I never anticipated. There is really interesting research into embodied cognition in the field of Psychology – the effect our body has on our mind – that I bet could offer some insight as to why changing your body’s experience, with a set of ExoSyms, also changes your mind. (Such a great insight…)

What is your proudest moment in the ExoSym so far? Not sure whether it’s managing to get them to look hip with a pair of jeans for the first time (haha YES!), finally beginning to walk up stairs fluently or doing my first real squat (the last two have really fed off each other – my muscles were so weak before I got the ExoSyms!). A couple weeks ago, I participated in a 14km fun run (for those who don’t know (aka me), this is 8.7 miles!). This was the BEST. I wasn’t entirely ready to run the whole 14km, I ran some, walked some, but most of all, I wasn’t in pain. I could do it! (that’s HUGE!)

City2Surf 14km – I DID IT!

Any special goals for 2015? My main goal this year was to make it to the end of the 14km City2Surf fun run in Sydney. I achieved this goal and although it’s a huge achievement, it’s just the beginning… 🙂 (so proud! you go girl!)

How has the ExoSym changed your life? It’s the day-to-day stuff I notice the most. I genuinely couldn’t wait to do my first fun run last week, but that’s all icing. It’s the everyday walking and standing and living not in pain that’s really extraordinary. Like being able to perform music standing up without half of my attention being on pain and balancing. The ExoSyms definitely add elegance to the way I walk, too. It feels like a huge weight has been lifted. And while as with anything, there is hard work and challenges along the way, most days have a lightness that wasn’t there before. (this makes my heart happy!)

Favorite Quote: “Between stimulus and response there is space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” – Viktor E. Frankl

What is the one thing you wish people knew about you? I practice mindfulness most days. I think this coupled with a set of ExoSyms has really put me in a position where I am able to live each day, unlike ever before. (CARPE DIEM!)

Lucy’s final words: Gratitude, gratitude, gratitude. Without the wonderful support, encouragement, and patience of people in my life and the amazing team in Gig Harbor, none of this would have been possible. (Amen sister. Amen.)

Thank you, Lucy for reminding us that receiving the ExoSym is more than being given a device; it’s a journey. A journey of body, mind and spirit and a realization of what it means to live life to the fullest.

#beYOU #beAMAZING #ExoSymnista