A couple of months ago I stood amidst the Mayan ruins of Altun Ha in Belize, admiring the Temple of the Sun God. As members of my tour group eagerly scrambled up the narrow, craggy steps leading to the summit, I wondered if I could handle it. I’m not decrepit by any means; however, I’m no spring chicken either. And I spend most of my days sitting at a desk.

“Okay, dork-woman,” I said to myself, “you can either continue to gawk at one of the most incredible things you’ve ever seen in your life, or you can get your butt moving.”

I didn’t hesitate for long. Huffing and puffing, my thighs burning like firecrackers, I fell in line with the rest of the tourists. It wasn’t easy, and I thought my lungs might explode. Finally I reached the top of the towering platform and caught my breath.

Gazing around, I was rewarded with the most incredible view of the jungle ringing the ceremonial plaza and the stone buildings—some restored and some still covered by patches of grassy earth. A rush of exhilaration swept through me, and I decided the climb had been well worth the effort.

As they say, “No pain, no gain.”

~ Cindy Keen Reynders

The most challenging and unique adventure I had undertaken until now was running a marathon to completion. I did it, although the training was grueling, and finished the 26.2-mile course at a slow pace. But now I'm on the most challenging "adventure" of my life: treatment for breast cancer.

I just completed my final chemotherapy injection (although I'll continue to receive Herceptin® until next May) and now face thirty-five radiation treatments. Because I caught the cancer early, my prognosis is good. Yet the cancer was aggressive, hence the aggressive treatment. I call it an adventure because it's unlike any battle I've faced.

Just as with marathon training, a positive and hopeful attitude is crucial. I'm inspired by the many survivors who have beaten breast cancer, including Medallion’s own Helen Rosburg. The survivor rate is so much higher than it was thirty years ago. Yet women like Lynn Redgrave continue to die. Ladies, check yourself each month. Know your body. And immediately seek medical help if you find anything out of the ordinary.

~ Cheryl Norman

I'd probably say Army basic training. They take you from the world you know, throw you into a group of guys you don't know for two months of training and two months of schooling, and discipline you with screaming and physical exercise until they feel they've broken you down so they can build you up again. They yelled at us so much that it lost all impact and became funny.

~ E.J. Findorff