Last year, I swam in open water and got stung by jellyfish — dozens of times. Even though I wore a protective suit, the stings still found the unprotected parts of my body: face, hands, feet. The pain lingered, and so did the memory. For eight weeks, I stayed out of the water.
Later, I tried again. The water was teeming with jellyfish — the tiny ones that don’t really sting but still feel like they might. Each time one brushed past my skin, I tensed. No pain, no sting — just a conditioned reaction. A fear memory stored in my body. And the tension made the swim almost unbearable, not because of danger, but because of how I was bracing for it.
Then, the weather was perfect. The ocean was calling. But I knew I couldn’t swim if I tensed up — certain physical pains return when I do. So I tried something simple.
I put on gloves.
Just thin, neoprene gloves. That’s it. I couldn’t feel the jellyfish anymore. No more constant bracing. I swam. Freely. Joyfully. I came out of the water buzzing with energy and awe.
And just for fun — I brought a little friend along.
Right before I got in the water, I found a tiny toy figurine in the sand. It made me smile, so I tucked it into my swim buoy and brought it with me. Maybe it helped. Maybe it was just cheering me on.
Maybe it helped. Maybe it was just cheering me on.
Either way, it reminded me: sometimes, to move forward, you just need to find your gloves.
This little insight began to echo in other parts of my life. For the past two years, I’ve wanted to start something in my new hometown — a group that brings together people who care about leadership and growth. I’ve had the vision for a while, but I never quite made the leap. I told myself I was too busy or unsure. But underneath that? I didn’t want to feel the sting of rejection or failure. I didn’t want to feel exposed.
So I found a metaphorical pair of gloves.
I reached out to someone I like and trust — someone who resonates with my vision — and asked him to co-found it with me. We called it L3: The Lewes Leadership Luncheon. It launches next week, and over a dozen people have already signed up. I’m thrilled. I’m ready. I’m not tense.
It turns out, I didn’t need to eliminate all fear. I just needed a little protection — a little support, a little partnership — something that made the fear less paralyzing.
That’s what gloves do.
They don’t remove the reality of challenge. They just give us a way to move through it without shutting down.
So if there’s something you want to do, but you’re stuck — maybe you’re not lacking courage. Maybe you just haven’t found your gloves yet.
No pride —- I did that.
Here’s To Your Greatness,
Misti Burmeister
Misti Burmeister is a dynamic coach and speaker with an unparalleled ability to unlock potential and inspire transformation. Known for her energy, enthusiasm, and passion, Misti awakens thought patterns and fosters meaningful change in individuals and teams alike. With over 20 years of experience, she is celebrated for improving communication, accountability, and personal responsibility across organizations.