Pulse November 2016 | Page 8

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! @ISpaDoYou LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! International SPA Association TODAY, I WILL BE A GLADIATOR. I will wear courage on my sleeve even at the thought of failing or of being beaten by a better opponent because there is no real victory in fear. MARION PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO TODAY, I WILL BE A CHAMPION. I will rise when I stumble because champions are measured not by the number of times they fall, but the number of times they are able to stand and dust themselves off, ready to face another strike of the blade. Do you have what it takes to step into the arena? T his year’s keynote speaker and Daring Greatly author Brené Brown (page 34) asked this powerful question during the opening General Session at the 2016 ISPA Conference & Expo. In reference to former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt’s famous “Citizenship in a Republic” speech, she spoke of how the credit belongs, not to the critic, but to the man who is actually in the arena, who greatly dares and strives valiantly because he believes he is fighting a worthy cause. Nothing, indeed, inspires a man to fight and rise up after a fall than knowing one’s purpose in life’s everyday battle. Simon Sinek—who also spoke at this year’s General Session (page 38)—offers a simple advice: Start with why. He said true leaders not only offer a circle of safety to those in their charge, but also makes them feel they are contributing to a bigger purpose beyond themselves. It’s not going to be an easy fight, even those with a heart of a hero would sometimes falter at the thought of defeat. But singer-songwriter and this year’s closing General Session keynote speaker John Ondrasik (page 36) wrote in his hit song “Superman”: “Even heroes have the right to bleed.” Yes, today I choose to no longer be a spectator. Will you do the same? Will you have the courage to step into the arena, even at the thought of having your face marred by blood and sweat? —MAE MAÑACAP-JOHNSON, EDITOR @ISPAPULSEEDITOR 6 PULSE ■ November 2016 WE’RE STILL PUMPED about this year’s ISPA Conference & Expo. What was your favorite ISPA Conference moment? Shall we pop a bottle of red wine and have a social chit-chat? Join the conversation on social media.