… and other life lessons from my friend and mentor, Tara Tiedemann
I remember when Tara started talking to me about the Blue Zones. Through her company, Viva Adventures, she had begun running trips up in Costa Rica’s Blue Zone, on the Nicoya Peninsula.
While I would not read Dan Buettner’s famous book until years later, I did get a solid explanation of the concept from Tara. More importantly, I got a living example of the Blue Zone’s “secrets” from the woman herself.
A mentorship in the making
Tara and I met years ago, both of us living in a small town on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. We were both looking to improve our surfing, business owners, and had lived in Latin America for many years, and loved it.
We connected over anything and everything, oftentimes sitting in beach chairs, gazing out at the ocean, and with Modelos (the “champagne of beers,” as Tara refers to them) in hand. There were many shared adventures, often around the theme of surfing or other ocean shenanigans.
In a weird way, our bond actually solidified over a classic issue that threatened to break our friendship — miscommunication / misunderstanding. Rather than avoiding the topic, we mindfully worked through it and came out way stronger and with a way better understanding of one another through trial and in this case, error.
In a personal sense, Tara showed up for me in ways both big (coming with me to Mexico for a “divorce trip”) and small (thoughtful messages when she knew I was in a rough patch). She is an incredibly loyal friend, always prioritizing and making a huge effort for her core group.
In a professional sense, it always seemed so wild to me that this woman — who had managed to successfully and single-handedly build a business as a foreigner and a woman in Latin America (no small feat) — had time to successfully balance all of this: business ownership, friendship, and what seemed like ample down time; as well as stay sane, happy, and healthy. What I didn’t fully understand at this time was that Tara had unlocked some of the most sought-after secrets of life.
A novel approach to getting shit done
I don’t think Tara has ever met an issue that she cannot take on, and more importantly, with poise and grace. I remember her battling with a deep-rooted fear of the ocean. Her approach? To do the rigorous lifeguard training through the Costa Rican Coast Guard (in Spanish, and with a whole host of dudes, mind you). Leaning right in.
This exemplifies the mentality of Tara Tiedemann. She simply will not tolerate any limits put on herself (by herself or by others). Even a hint of “you can’t do this” and she is already scheming to get it done. Yet most interestingly is how she goes about it.
She is not flashy about it, and she doesn’t rub it in anyone’s face. It’s actually only after studying her habits for a decade that I can decipher what is going on. Tara’s process for getting (hard) shit done: she puts her head down, she studies, she observes, she tries, she sometimes fails; and if so she tries another approach, repeating if necessary. More action, less talk.
And poquito a poco, she gets whatever she intended to get done, done. More often than not, she crushes own goals. And if you weren’t paying attention, you may have never noticed that it happened, because along the way, she did not sacrifice anything that makes a life worth living: adventuring (usually in the outdoors), connecting with others, eating delicious food, and constantly learning while enjoying.
In our world where capitalist and patriarchal systems prevail, where pushing the boulder up the hill constantly and hustle culture are celebrated, I can safely say that Tara achieves more than most and with a fraction of the energetic output.
The Blue Zone way of living, emulated
After observing her for so long, I knew that I wanted to work for her. I believed that in so doing, I would expand my own growth and amplify my life. I was not wrong.
When I started working for her company I was accustomed to the classic “do more / don’t stop” mindset. It has taken months for me to realize that a slow, consistent pace yields far greater results (in all facets of life). Moreover, it promotes sustainability and better health & wellbeing outcomes
As an example: when we are not busy leading university study abroad trips or retreats, we have a very slow and steady pace of tackling our myriad responsibilities and tasks. Our work days include work, of course, but also with frequency: rambling conversations about life over delicious Panamanian Geisha coffee, long breaks to watch the most recent Nathan Florence big wave surf exploit, leisurely lunches, and surf checks (work can wait if the surf is firing). And that’s not even counting the time for our twice daily movement sessions (our favorites are functional weight training, long walks, and surfing or bodysurfing). Yet we always get everything done, and then some.
Even the trips we create are mindfully curated to have ample downtime. Tara is adamant that our visiting guests should leave feeling 150% better than when they arrived. This is important for her on a trip, beyond just seeing the sights. To sleep, to allow our nervous systems to rest, to savor.
In all of the trip itineraries we create, we build in natural movement, connection to community and nature, a ton of delicious food, and many opportunities for enjoyment. “We just need it, damnit,” as Tara is known to say.
How we do it: “take ‘er real easy”
I know that I did. When I started working for Viva Adventures, I was battling the issue that has plagued me for decades: insomnia. There was seemingly no good reason for it, though I attribute it to an internal system that was terribly out-of-whack. It took nearly a year, but my nervous system is just beginning to relax.
Tara’s process works. It is heavily influenced by the Blue Zone mentality and the “Power 9”:
- Move naturally
- Know your purpose
- Down shift
- 80% rule
- Plant slant
- Wine (or friends) @ 5
- Positive pack
- Belong
- Loved ones first
She has proven first hand that the way to go fast is to go slow. Or as she is known to say as a midwesterner at heart, “take ‘er REAL easy.”
A shining example
Tara is an inspiration, and I feel so honored and privileged to be following her lead on this road of life. She walks the talk, and blazes a trail for myself and many others in the realms of entrepreneurship, empowerment, health & wellness, and general badassery.
In her own unique way, she also embodies sustainability, and authentically shares that way of being with others. The way she goes about everything is the way that nature itself operates: “[it] does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished” — Lao Tzu.
I sincerely believe that if more people and systems (workplace and beyond) operated in this deeply soft and feminine way, we would all be more healthy, and the world itself would be a better place.
