Second Wind

Personal Perspectives

Consistency Over Improvement

Cami Ostman M.S. on October 10, 2025

Personal Perspective: Is there something you feel pressure to improve upon even though you’re happy with it the way it is? If so, here’s my reminder from the back of the pack.

Personal Perspective: Is there something you feel pressure to improve upon even though you’re happy with it the way it is? If so, here’s my reminder from the back of the pack.

Grit

The Legend of the Phoenix for Those Who Feel Lost

Cami Ostman M.S. on December 8, 2024

If you're in transition but don't know where you're going yet, or if you're feeling a call to make a major change in your life, let the legend of the Phoenix offer some wisdom.

If you're in transition but don't know where you're going yet, or if you're feeling a call to make a major change in your life, let the legend of the Phoenix offer some wisdom.

Motivation

Working with Your Minimums

Cami Ostman M.S. on June 30, 2019

If you can hold space THERE, at your bare minimum, you can soar again when the next season comes around.

If you can hold space THERE, at your bare minimum, you can soar again when the next season comes around.

Race and Ethnicity

Trade-Offs

Cami Ostman M.S. on May 2, 2019

You know that old tired joke non-runners always say to runners: “Who’s chasing you?” Well, this race’s director had an answer to that question.

You know that old tired joke non-runners always say to runners: “Who’s chasing you?” Well, this race’s director had an answer to that question.

Relationships

The Inheritance

Cami Ostman M.S. on September 14, 2017

At midlife, many of us begin to lose our elders. Some of those relationships are clean and easy; some are more complicated. What can you find of value in the loss?

At midlife, many of us begin to lose our elders. Some of those relationships are clean and easy; some are more complicated. What can you find of value in the loss?

Anxiety

One Footfall at a Time

Cami Ostman M.S. on January 30, 2017

Though change can be anxiety provoking itself, it’s also an opportunity to upgrade and renew your vision for your future.

Though change can be anxiety provoking itself, it’s also an opportunity to upgrade and renew your vision for your future.

Therapy

Way Leads to Way

Cami Ostman M.S. on January 6, 2016

Every path has its plusses and minuses, right? And you can only ever “run” on one path at a time.

Every path has its plusses and minuses, right? And you can only ever “run” on one path at a time.

Friends

The "E" in SHINE

Cami Ostman M.S. on August 28, 2015

Einstein said, “There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle.”

Einstein said, “There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle.”

Wisdom

The N in SHINE

Cami Ostman M.S. on August 4, 2015

“If you plan on being anything less than you are capable of being, you will probably be unhappy all the days of your life.” --Abraham Maslow

“If you plan on being anything less than you are capable of being, you will probably be unhappy all the days of your life.” --Abraham Maslow

To build a friendship with someone, you have to BE someone YOU like. The number one thing you need to have in place in order to have good relationships with other people is solid self-esteem.

Relationships

The "H" in SHINE

Cami Ostman M.S. on April 12, 2015

The narrative of who you are has been a carefully designed structure, built on the foundation of your history and your relationships. But WHAT IF you are more/other/beyond what you know yourself to be.

The narrative of who you are has been a carefully designed structure, built on the foundation of your history and your relationships. But WHAT IF you are more/other/beyond what you know yourself to be.

Humor

The "S" in SHINE

Cami Ostman M.S. on February 19, 2015

To see the world through the eyes of a foreigner, or a beginner, we have to remember that we really aren’t experts at living—we are experimenters. We aren’t expected to know what we don’t know, to understand what we don’t understand, or to have an edge on anyone else. And this is oddly both disconcerting and freeing.

To see the world through the eyes of a foreigner, or a beginner, we have to remember that we really aren’t experts at living—we are experimenters. We aren’t expected to know what we don’t know, to understand what we don’t understand, or to have an edge on anyone else. And this is oddly both disconcerting and freeing.

Cognition

When Things Don't Go As Planned

Cami Ostman M.S. on November 16, 2014

Victor Frankl said, “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” He’s right, right? We have to look at what we have power over: Us. Especially the older we get, as we realize we don’t have forever to grab hold of life and REALLY live it, we have to make the ecosystem of our inner life a healthy place to live.

Victor Frankl said, “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” He’s right, right? We have to look at what we have power over: Us. Especially the older we get, as we realize we don’t have forever to grab hold of life and REALLY live it, we have to make the ecosystem of our inner life a healthy place to live.

Confidence

When Loss Rattles Your Confidence

Cami Ostman M.S. on May 25, 2014

If and when you lose something or someone so crucial to your orientation in the world that you feel you’ve lost your very self, consider being especially kind to and gentle with your heart. This loss, whatever it may be for you right now, is major, life-changing, self-changing. And it must be treated with great respect and kindness.

If and when you lose something or someone so crucial to your orientation in the world that you feel you’ve lost your very self, consider being especially kind to and gentle with your heart. This loss, whatever it may be for you right now, is major, life-changing, self-changing. And it must be treated with great respect and kindness.

How you respond to being misunderstood is the difference between spending time trying to correct other people's misperceptions or being free to carry on with your life.

Getting older doesn't have to mean the end of your dreams. With a little intention and commitment, you can run your best races—even at a late age!

Environment

Take a Well-Earned Rest

Cami Ostman M.S. on November 26, 2013

What are you trying to prove when you keep going at full pace even when everything inside of you is crying out to slow down and rest? Take a moment to ask yourself what would happen if you stopped moving long enough to heal and recover when you're hurting.

What are you trying to prove when you keep going at full pace even when everything inside of you is crying out to slow down and rest? Take a moment to ask yourself what would happen if you stopped moving long enough to heal and recover when you're hurting.

Depression

Fighting the Seasonal Blues

Cami Ostman M.S. on October 15, 2013

If you are someone who fights the seasonal blues, you will know what I mean when I speak of the feeling of dread that comes when you look outside one October day and see nothing but endless drizzle. The inside of you drizzles too. There is a way to stay tethered to who you know yourself to be in lighter days.

If you are someone who fights the seasonal blues, you will know what I mean when I speak of the feeling of dread that comes when you look outside one October day and see nothing but endless drizzle. The inside of you drizzles too. There is a way to stay tethered to who you know yourself to be in lighter days.

Race and Ethnicity

When Everyone is Faster than You

Cami Ostman M.S. on July 15, 2013

How can a person really find her own pace in life—the one that fits only her—when the crowd she runs with is on a different schedule? It isn't easy to watch your peers pass you by. So it becomes important to pull over, slow down, and dig for the inner wisdom that speaks ONLY TO YOU. Only you can know what your pace/goal/need is.

How can a person really find her own pace in life—the one that fits only her—when the crowd she runs with is on a different schedule? It isn't easy to watch your peers pass you by. So it becomes important to pull over, slow down, and dig for the inner wisdom that speaks ONLY TO YOU. Only you can know what your pace/goal/need is.

Education

Defying Age Authentically

Cami Ostman M.S. on June 12, 2013

Do you fall prey to looking in the mirror and lamenting the deepening lines around your eyes? Do you spend extra effort shopping for bras that lift and shape, or frequently wonder if your outfits are out of date or if they're trying too hard. There is an authentic, less self-critical way to feel rejuvenated.

Do you fall prey to looking in the mirror and lamenting the deepening lines around your eyes? Do you spend extra effort shopping for bras that lift and shape, or frequently wonder if your outfits are out of date or if they're trying too hard. There is an authentic, less self-critical way to feel rejuvenated.