When the clock strikes midnight this year on New Year’s Eve I’m going to feel two things — relief and unparalleled enthusiasm.

Wait, what? Ya, I’m not sure those two often go together either, but for me, they do.

When looking back on 2011, I can pretty much split the year into two. There was the half that was clouded by intense pain and heartache, and there was the part that made me feel alive once again. In a handful of months earlier this year I lost three incredibly important people in my life. You know, the kind of people you mention in your prayers every night before going to bed. People who shaped who I am and who I will be as I move forward in my life. These people were my Grandma Marilyn, Grandpa Wendell, and one of my best friends, Samantha Schaff.

While losing my grandparents was incredibly hard, they lived full lives and I know they are happier now. I also know I will carry on their name and legacy in the best way I know how. I’m living with even more of a purpose now. On the other hand, losing a friend only a year older than me doesn’t make sense to this day.

I’m not sure it ever will.

As June 1 came, so did my one-year anniversary of living in LA. I realized I made it a whole year of starting a life over basically from scratch — new town, new job, new industry, new apartment, new lifestyle, new friends. And that feeling that I did it — on my own — was motivating in its own right. And it was around this time that I made a vow to live each moment of life as hard as I could — and that I did.

The second half of the year was a whirlwind of special moments. I went to Daytona International Speedway for the first time. And I didn’t just go there, I had the incredible goosebump-inducing opportunity to volunteer for one of my mentors in the media center. I got to hear the questions the reporters had for the drivers post-race, when yes, they were still wiping the sweat off their faces. There was one moment when I was standing there in the back of the room looking around at the epicenter of the sport, and I thought, “Wow, in a small way, I actually made it.” I can’t really describe what that felt like other than that I knew in that moment I was living. And I was happy.

This year I also went to Disneyland with my sisters when they visited and attended a Taylor Swift concert at the Staples Center with my Aunt Cheri and cousin, Amanda. I enjoyed my first-ever Thanksgiving meal on my own with the company of my mom and sister. I went to my first Dodgers game with two special friends. I experienced a Griz game — twice — from the second row of the North End Zone with a good friend. I brought the same friend to his very first NASCAR race in Phoenix, where we witnessed Kasey Kahne’s Victory Lane celebration and I met NASCAR Nationwide Series Champion Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and 2011 Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne. I also met one of my NASCAR heros, Chad Knaus. With the still-blows-my-mind coding skills of my friend, Caroline, I launched a redesigned I Want Her Job — complete with a new logo made by a co-worker who has whimsical talent, Betty. I interviewed one of my childhood heros, Ann M. Martin, on IWHJ. I let go of my tendency to want to do everything myself with the website and found women more talented than me in their respective areas to lend their talents in making the site even more phenomenal. That was probably one of my best decisions of the year, and it taught me what a true team really feels like. I redecorated my house to reflect my style. It’s part Carrie Bradshaw/part West Elm and 100 percent “me”.

At work I scored a regularly-occurring guest writing gig on Fast Company for our executive strategy director, Clyde. I also helped place (and research) an article that ended up trending for a weekend on Mashable. I spoke on a panel about Twitter at Digital Hollywood with others who I frankly thought were out of my league. (And I held my own.) I helped create a social strategy for one of the leading sports brands. I conquered a years-old fear in participating in — wait for it — a forthcoming reality show. I also was a part of two pitches with highly-visible dream clients. And most importantly, I had the opportunity once again in my job to mentor two incredible interns as they held their first-ever event at the agency.

I might not have attended as many concerts as I wanted to. I still may be frustrated at the fact that I can’t seem to sparkle in that special way for my dream guy. And I still don’t work out like I should. But you know what? The things I did accomplish and the people I did affect in my small way, made me feel like I was living. And after a spring that was all about death, I can’t think of a better way to rebound.

Now for the Enthusiasm …

I’m officially declaring 2012 as the Year of the Woman. (Just wait, there’s a post to come on I Want Her Job.) And what this means for me is living up to my contribution to this. I’m going to wake up every day and be that woman who I always dreamed I would be — gracious, stylish, successful, compassionate and loving like there’s no tomorrow. Oh, and I’m also going to try to accomplish these goals along the way …

1/ Put my health first. [This means working out regularly, switching from Coca-Cola to San Pellegrino, saying goodbye caramel macchiato and hello sugar-free caramel soy latte, getting 6 to 7 hours of sleep per night, going to the dentist -- yikes, and saying "no" just a little more so I can recharge me.]

2/ Start a morning routine beyond coffee. [I need to get healthy. That means I need to have more at breakfast than coffee. I need eggs and toast or granola and yogurt. I also want to devote half an hour to reading content others are producing, instead of just focusing on what I am creating.]

3/ Attend the Daytona 500. [It's the Super Bowl of racing. Enough said.]

4/ Attend a Steelers game. [It's about time my Terrible Towel got some use in a stadium.]

5/ Go to a Sugarland + Kenny Chesney concert. [Kenny really needs to become a yearly tradition, and Sugarland's songs speak to my soul.]

6/ Pay off my debt. [This one will be the hardest, but I have quite the epic closet. It's time ... ]

7/ Be part of bringing in a win that matters for the agency. [If I can do this I will feel like I've helped give the agency a part of what they've given me. And there are fewer futures I believe in more than WDCW.]

8/ Start my next website. [It's sports-related. It's one everyone has asked me to create for some time. And I think I finally found the right partner to help make it happen.]

*9/ My secret wish. [I have zero control over this one, but I'd love to meet my partner in life. I'm craving that best friend who I know inside out and vice versa. I want to lift someone else up every day. And I want someone to experience my moments of living -- good + bad -- with. He is out there. And God will introduce us when it's time.]

Thanks to each and every one of you for being a part of the special moments and the ones that made me lean on you hard this year. Life only matters because of those you experience it with. Enthusiastic cheers to a phenomenal 2012!

“Enthusiasm is followed by
disappointment and even depression,
and then by renewed enthusiasm.”
-murray gell-mann

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“If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough.” ~ Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf

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Admittedly, I often speak in NASCAR analogies. And unlike football analogies, which often go over my head, NASCAR analogies completely make sense to me, but then again they don’t have much of a chance of making it far in my social circle. When I recently sprained my ankle and told a co-worker I was going to, “Make like Keselowski and push on anyway,” I got a blank stare.

Hey, I don’t expect everyone to get it. And I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if the interaction on my Facebook wall started to go up again now that I’m not updating my status multiple times a day about NASCAR. But if the sports reporting class taught by Professor Michael Downs at the University of Montana taught me one thing it was this: Some of the greatest stories about the human condition and society play out on the sports field … [Or in this case, the track.]

The 2011 Chase for the Sprint Cup Series Championship was no exception. The tightest Chase race conclusion in NASCAR history took place this past weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards were actually tied in points when they reached the finish line. But, because Tony had more collective wins, he took the Championship. And the Championship literally came down to a matter of laps and some strategic pit calls. But throughout the NASCAR season the personalities of the sport reminded me [more than once] of some valuable life lessons. And NASCAR fan or not, this sport can teach you a few things about life.

1 / Confidence is King

Going into the Chase Tony Stewart was quoted as saying his team wasn’t good enough to qualify for the Championship. He said he felt as if the team was just occupying a space a more deserving driver and team should have. Perhaps it was a motivator, because once Tony clinched a spot in the Chase [only the top 12 drivers in points standings as of the last 10 races are eligible] he ended up winning … and winning … and winning. Tony ended up with victories in five of the 10 races on the Chase circuit. Oh, and I can’t fail to mention the fact that Tony was winless leading up to the Chase. But here’s the magical thing about Tony’s run: It’s making the near-impossible possible. It’s also the fact that he was the first driver-owner to win a Championship since 1992. But more than anything, it was the fire in him. It was the steely look in his single-minded eyes that there was one Championship to be won. And it was going to be his. Nothing took him off course from that vision. His confidence was unshakable in the truest sense. He believed he was going to be the champion, and now he is.

The Bottom Line: If you’re anything like me, it’s so easy to focus on what others are doing. One dip into Facebook and suddenly girls four years younger have met their dream guy, are getting married, and oh ya, just bought their first house. Or that girl you met two months ago and developed a career crush on, suddenly has her startup funded by one of the most powerful women in America. It’s easy to fall into a trap and sit there wondering why what I’m doing isn’t good enough. But you know what? It is. And the only way to reach my truest potential is to be the best damn version of me I can be. We need to all employ that razor-sharp focus Tony Stewart embodied during his quest. And I can’t say it enough — bring confidence to the table. Every. Single. Day.

2 / Setbacks Breed Determination

To my earlier point in this post, Brad Keselowski broke his ankle when he was testing at Road Atlanta and crashed into a wall going 100 m.p.h. He then went on to climb back into his No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge, broken ankle and all, and went on to win that weekend’s Sprint Cup Series race in Pocono. Then weeks later he took another Cup win in Bristol. And three subsequent Nationwide Series wins — in Chicago, Kansas and last weekend in Homestead. He was unstoppable, and if anything his injury — his setback — bred his determination.

The Bottom Line: Don’t waste time focusing on what went wrong. So, your ankle got sprained. So, you lost that new business pitch you really wanted. So, your date with that seemingly wonderful guy was nothing but a crash and burn. Get over it. Setbacks happen. And if anything, they just help you look more bad ass when you can meet your dreams despite them. +1 for determination!

3 / Consistency is Key

I’m often asked why Matt Kenseth is my favorite driver. Why, people want to know. He’s boring. He isn’t good at press conferences. He isn’t the flashy spokesperson in nearly every other commercial during a race break [cough, Kyle Busch, cough]. And oh ya, he’s not hot like Kasey Kahne or Carl Edwards. My response? He’s not boring. He’s actually witty and full of one-liners. Not every guy is good at press conferences. Maybe he just hasn’t gelled with the right PR rep yet. [Hey Matt, I'm aware of the nightmare press you received in Atlanta while promoting Talladega and am more than willing to relocate and provide my 7+ years of PR experience to make sure that never happens again.] And he’s not the hottest driver? Who cares. Neither is Brad Keselowski … or Kyle Busch. And they both have plenty of fans. Your point? What I love about Matt Kenseth is that he’s consistent. He’s made the Chase every year but one since arriving in the Cup series. Oh ya, he’s also won a Cup Championship. Consistency is the equivalent of true success in my eyes. And if it wasn’t for Brian Vickers intentionally wrecking him in Phoenix the other week, Matt (who started on the Pole for that race) would have finished even higher than fourth in points.

The Bottom Line: Consistency is one of the most difficult aspects of any work — as a racer or business professional. To consistently win, finish in the top five, or even in the top 10 is a tremendous feat in itself. Think about it, if you could consistently score victories and wins in your job [with the occasional Daytona 500 win, of course], you would be happy with the work you’re bringing into the world as well. Don’t believe me? Just ask PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi about consistency.

4 / Be A Sponsor’s Dream

When Carl Edwards can no longer hop into a car he has a bright future ahead of him as an announcer. That goes without being said. Not one to miss any opportunity to promote Aflac, Subway, Ford, Scotts, Sprint … you name it, Carl is the epitome of all NASCAR could ever hope a driver to be. He always takes time for interviews, the fans, the sponsors, even the First and Second Ladies before his big Championship race, and always with a gracious smile. As a fan who’s had the chance to see Carl in action, I can tell you firsthand that the only time I’ve seen him turn down an autograph is when he had to hit up the Porta Potty … and despite that the fan still tried to get his Sharpie-perfected signature by waiting outside the door. [Poor guy!] But beyond his Opie-appeal, he’s a damn good racer. And beyond that, he has class and sportsmanship. This fan also witnessed him shaking the hands of every driver who won (or who I saw win) this season. And when Tony won the Championship, it was no different.

The Bottom Line: Don’t let this year’s Championship run (or last year’s) fool you. Nice guys don’t always finish last. Carl should never have a problem attracting brand sponsorship, and in this sport, that [and winning] means everything. And as an important reminder to me — and all of us — losing says more about someone than winning. It shows their true character. Something worth bearing in mind.

5 / It Starts and Ends With the Fans

There are so many reasons I live, breathe, eat and sleep NASCAR. From the branding, to the strategy, to the sponsorships, to the stories that unfold, I am a fan for life. But truly the greatest part of the sport is the access it provides its fans. Drivers know fans are at the heart of the sport. It’s why they pose for pictures with girls like me, and sign autographs for other fans (even when they’re wearing another team’s t-shirt … a huge “no-no” in my opinion). NASCAR knows fans are at the heart of the sport. It’s why they have a fan council, provide access to the pits and engage better than most sports brands in social media.

The Bottom Line: It begins and ends with the fans. Why? Because to them NASCAR is more than just a sport. And for this fan, that’s the biggest lesson of all — learned from the most exciting season I ever remember witnessing.

“The winner ain’t the one with the fastest car.
It’s the one who refuses to lose.”
-Dale Earnhardt -

|Time to Thank My ‘Sponsors’|
And since my NASCAR season wouldn’t have been as stellar without the help of a few good friends, I want to thank Lenny Santiago, Ryan Tolley, Mike Tam, Mike Calinoff, Christa Thomas, Jorge Mondaca, Daryl Wolfe, Kristie Maggs, Edward Williams, Ryan Lake, Thomas Patterson, Paul Corliss, Manny Poveda, Colin Fisher, Stephanie Calinoff, Todd and Liz Ervin, Tasa Munzenrider, Chris Lynn, Mom and Dad, Carrie Benson Many Heads, Heidi Trytten and my Grandpa Bruce, for meeting me at races, going to races with me, letting me pick your brain, giving me access to things I only dreamed of, and generally making NASCAR weekends one of the biggest things I live for in life. Oh, and Chad Knaus, you probably don’t remember me, and in full disclosure I’m a diehard RFR girl, but meeting you was a dream come true. And thanks for calling me sweetheart …

Photos | Brianne Burrowes + Chris Lynn

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There once was a girl who loved Starbucks so much that she went … Every. Single. Day.

She used to go to the same Starbucks in her hometown in Montana daily — rain, snow or sunshine. She couldn’t start a morning without it, and not only did the baristas know what coffee she liked to drink (and how) … but they, gasp!, knew her name.

After moving to LA this girl knew that she probably wouldn’t have quite the homey touch during her morning coffee experience. Then again she wouldn’t have to scrape ice off her windshield before going to get her morning fix either … so it was probably a toss up.

But what she didn’t expect to find was the humor that now accompanied each trip to Starbucks, because yes, apparently this LA transplant has a hard name to spell …

She started out by telling them her name. It seemed simple enough.

But they kept spelling it wrong …

Time and time again …

So, she thought she’d make it easy on them, and shorten her name to what her friends call her: Bri.

And they often spelled it like the cheese …

But sometimes, just sometimes …

They would get it just right. So, she stuck with “Bri” until …

Yup! They called her “Mari.”

So Bri gave up … and went back to “Brianne” …

And, well, sometimes they now get it right …

And sometimes they don’t.

And it makes her wonder, “Why hasn’t one barista looked at her loyalty card that’s been swiped (possibly) more times than her check card?”

Her name is right there.

In bold black.

For a coffee company that tries to recreate the hometown coffee experience no matter where one is in the world, you’d think they could take a slight moment to get a customer’s name right.

Right?

Until then, this girl will keep laughing … and waiting to hear what Starbucks has written on your cup …

“Starbucks represents something
beyond a cup of coffee.”
–Howard Schultz, CEO

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‎"Look for intelligence and judgment, and most critically, a capacity to anticipate, to see around corners. Also look for loyalty, integrity, a high energy drive, a balanced ego and the drive to get things done." ~ Colin Powell

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I, like many girls, have always fancied myself to be somewhat of a Carrie Bradshaw.

I’m a writer. I don’t just write, but I write about situations that happen in my life. I have a shoe and purse collection to envy. I’ve written for magazines. I have a point of view, and I’m not afraid to share it. I left a small town to move to a big city. And speaking of Big, I thought I had met mine.

Last night I was driving home from Las Vegas, and somewhere around hour four of the drive my mind started to wander from the fabulous new yellow Cole Haan heels I purchased to … what else, a man. And the thing is it actually made me angry.

I’ve spent more hours than I could ever estimate thinking about a man, trying to get the right man, trying to keep the right man, doing everything I can for a man, learning hobbies my man liked, doing my best to impress my man’s friends and family, trying to remember what you don’t say to a man … and what you do. If you added up all of the hours, days … years I’ve spent thinking about men, well, it would be like an episode of “The Biggest Loser.” You know how they will take all the cheese a contestant eats in a year and pile it up with a bulldozer to show the shock and awe factor of it all? I would be shocked and awed if you could somehow visualize the hours I’ve spent agonizing, dreaming, loving, stressing and thinking about men.

I had a serious relationship for five years that started when I was in high school and lasted through the majority of college. Then, I had another relationship that was my first stab at something I said I’d never do again — long distance. Guess how that one ended? (Though, I must say, both of those guys were never right for me, and in the long run I’m so lucky I never ended up with them.) Then I dated a lot of guys. After two serious relationships I simply didn’t want to settle down with one guy. I was fatigued from it all.

Then a certain someone came into my life at the most unexpected time and blew me away. But I’ll keep that relationship to myself, though I will say, sadly, that one, too, is over.

Anyway, fast-forward to last night. I was driving home and thinking about the fact that my mind has been guy-centric since I was 17 years old. You can’t blame a girl. After all, all you have to do is turn on a movie, walk down the beach, go to a coffee shop, listen to the radio, etc., and you see that love (and a lack of it) is what makes the world go round.

While I was driving I remembered a pledge former I Want Her Job leading lady Abiola Abrams made after her stint on VH-1′s “Tough Love.” At one point she realized that she had not been single for more than three months since she was 15. So, what did she do? She dated herself for a year to live purposefully single. She still went on dates, but nothing got serious, and her main focus was always herself.

I’ll be honest. When I first read the idea I was thinking, “Good for you, but that’s something I would never do.” Well, heartbreak does some funny things, and now I’m making that same pledge to myself.

A friend of mine who is in an idyllic relationship told me that she wishes she had the freedom I did — to focus on her career, to travel, to move where her career takes her, etc. I told her she was crazy, because she has what every girl wants — a loyal, loving, gorgeous, attentive guy who would do anything for her. I’ll admit, I don’t totally understand her point of view, but I get one part of it. If you never get a chance to *really* get to know yourself, do you one day regret that you never did?

So, today I am done being selfless for men. I’ve done it for nine years, and it’s time to be selfish and only think of me when it comes to matters of the heart.

This next year I’m going to solely focus on my family, my friendships, my career, my clients and team at WDCW, I Want Her Job, attending NASCAR events, getting to know that industry inside and out, and writing. I’m going to put those I love (though not anyone romantically) and me first.

Maybe I’m crazy, but I’m more than a little excited to see where I am next year at this time …

“And high up above or down below,
When you’re too in love to let it go,
But if you never try you’ll never know,
Just what you’re worth.”
-Coldplay

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… just *how* close I was to all of my grandparents.

Growing up, my sister Mara and I were lucky enough to live in the same town as our grandparents. We’d ride the bus out to Grandma Marilyn and Grandpa Wendell’s house after school. Grandma or Grandpa would meet us at the end of their road, and we’d drive up to their house, fight over who got to take the Lake County Leader out of the mail box, and then hurry inside to unload our backpacks and eat peanut butter bread and macaroni and cheese.

We were lucky enough to have an idyllic childhood in many ways.

My other grandparents lived across the street. Whenever one of us would get in a fight with Mom or Dad, off we would be threatening to “run away” and onto the couch at Grandma Linda and Grandpa Bruce’s house. This didn’t happen often. More often, we would go down to hang out with Grandpa and Grandma after Mom and Dad had gone to bed. (Believe it our not, our grandparents stayed up later — to watch the news, of course.) We would play Skip Bo, eat popcorn with real melted butter on top and drink flavored sparkling water. Grandpa always had a basketball game on, and Grandma was usually reading a book when we’d pop in. And when we went home? They’d always leave the light on outside the house and make sure we made it across the street and home OK.

We’d split Christmas between my mom’s side and my dad’s side.

Christmas Eve was always spent with my mom’s side of the family, and Christmas Day was always spent with my dad’s side of the family.

My Grandma Linda was the one who helped me create my childhood neighborhood newspaper, The Koala Gazette. My Grandma Marilyn was the one who helped me earn the majority of my 40+ Girl Scout badges (I was known as an overachiever even back then). Grandpa Wendell was the one who always was my date to the Girl Scout Sock Hop. And Grandpa Bruce was the one who always “helped” me change my oil on my car. Truth be told, he changed the oil and I vacuumed my car. But it was still bonding.

Both sets of grandparents read every article I ever wrote for the newspaper (local and high school). My Grandma Linda saved every magazine article I wrote or contributed to. Both sets of grandparents were always so proud of my school work and my writing. If it wasn’t for my Grandma Marilyn and Grandpa Wendell I wouldn’t have graduated college without student loan debt. They both believed that getting an education came first, and though I worked while I was in college (and so did Mara), they also wanted us to have the time to focus on our studies. Without their assistance I can easily say I wouldn’t have been able to graduate in three and a half years.

Earlier today Grandpa Wendell passed away. He had a stroke late last week, and we all knew his time was winding down. But you never want it to end. Especially when you love someone. You don’t want them to leave you.

I know Grandpa is with Grandma in heaven. I’ve been saying special prayers for him every single night, and one thing I know for sure is that there is a God, and He has them both in His kingdom. And they are happy. And free of pain. And after 60 years of marriage and seven weeks apart on earth (when Grandma had passed away), they are now together again.

My grandparents have always been my biggest fans. I can’t remember one time any of them raised their voice with me. They raised me with love. They instilled a belief in my strengths. And they always told me I could make my dreams come true.

So while all I feel like right now is crumbling, now is the time to show the world how they built me. Now is the time, when they’re not looking (or who knows, maybe they are) to make them proud.

There are not many people who have been so fortunate to get to know their grandparents not just as elderly figures who send a check every birthday, but as best friends who showed the meaning of unconditional love.

I am who I am today because of them. When I smile and my right eye shrinks just a little bit smaller than my left, it reminds me of Grandma Marilyn. When I look at the words I like and my desire to create (and my rather emotional spirit), it reminds me of Grandma Linda. And when I think of my loyalty, my will and love of cars, I think of Grandpa Wendell. (And Grandpa Bruce, but fortunately, he is still with me.)

So while my heart is heavy tonight, and this blog post is just a little too long, it’s time to turn my pain over to God. Because He knows best. Grandpa is in a much, much better place (where he probably never has to learn how to use the darn Internet). And because it’s what they raised me to do. I’m living for them now.

And Grandpa Wendell, I never had the chance to tell you, but I named the company that I just created to own I Want Her Job after our family. It’s Burrowes Media. And I make this promise to you: My byline will always be Brianne Burrowes no matter who I marry or what I do, and I will always do my best to make you proud. I love you.

“Do not be anxious about anything,
but in every situation, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Jesus Christ.”
–Philippians 4:6-7

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I’m a NASCAR fan. Anyone who spends more than an hour around me will hear a reference to a race, a driver or a track. Most of the time my comment is met with a blank stare from a well-intentioned friend or colleague who’s kind enough to pretend to care. And I really value these people, even though I see right through it like a poker player who can’t stop staring at his cards. And more than that, I appreciate their effort, because I know it’s not easy to be around me when NASCAR is on my brain.

I love it so much that it fills the majority of my DVR. It’s the reason I wear Crown Royal logos with an otherwise designer outfit. It’s what I put on TV when I can’t sleep at night. And it’s the reason why I try my best to follow 240+ people on Twitter.

But as I mentioned before, my love of NASCAR goes way back, and like a fine scotch, it’s only gotten stronger (and more sophisticated) with age. This is why I get offended, no horrified, when someone says either A) I’ll never make it in the industry because I’m too much of a fan, or worse yet, B) I’m a NASCAR groupie.

Let me address the last one first. I am not a groupie. If you check Wikipedia, you will see the definition of a groupie is about as far away as one could get from the female empowerment I preach, and it’s so gross to me to even think about. So, this leads me to question why someone would flippantly even call me that. And the answer comes easily. I’ve been fortunate enough to have some amazing access at races (thank you, friends — you know who you are), and I like to take pictures with the NASCAR elite.

Those things don’t make me a groupie, but they do make me a fan. And if I was a man, well, let’s be honest. Nobody would think twice about my very classy (yet fan-driven) actions. They would just say, well, she’s a fan.

And as for the comment that I need to par down being a fan to make it in the sport I have one thing to say. Well, two. Hell. No. Just because a Sports Illustrated reporter was fired for clapping after Trevor Bayne was the youngest driver ever to win the Daytona 500, it doesn’t mean I, someone who wants to work in public relations for the sport and convince others why it’s so darn special, would need to hide the fact that I’m a fan. After all, from what I hear it’s a sport that burns people out quickly, so if it’s one I want to get into, I better not just love it, but live for it.

So, when I put a photo of Chad Knaus (crew chief to No. 48 Jimmie Johnson) up on Facebook I’m sure people thought, “She’s such a fan.” But I have to say, that photo was about so much more than being a fan. It was tangible proof that I’m that much closer to my dream. It’s not lost on me that just a year and a half ago I was tweeting someone I didn’t know who worked at ISC hoping beyond hope that he would take five minutes with me on the phone. (He was kind enough to give me 30!) And now, I have a photo standing next to the only NASCAR crew chief with five consecutive championship wins. I consider the guy I met on Twitter to be one of my mentors, and I trust his advice like no other. I’ve also met the CEO of NASCAR, my favorite driver, and oh ya, I had the rare opportunity to eat dinner with a NASCAR spotter who’s been to victory lane more than any other, and then he was kind enough to let me feature him on my website. If those aren’t seeds that have been planted and have started to peek out of the ground, then I don’t know what is.

I write this to let you know that you, too, can bring your dreams to life if you dream hard enough and start reaching out to people to learn. People want to help other people. It’s inherent to our nature. And if you work at it, I have no doubt that you, too, will meet the Chad Knaus of your industry.

Just be sure that when you do, you know what you’re going to say. Because chances are if you’re like me, you’ll be bold enough to go up to him but shy enough to ask what’s really on your mind. (And that, my friends, is why asking for a picture comes in handy.)

And next time I see Chad Knaus? Well, I’m going to ask him about where he sees the sport in five years, where he sees himself, and how he stays so focused. (Gee, I’m sounding a little like Oprah.) Because more than a photo, I’ve wanted to pick his brain for years. OK, I’ll admit, I wanted the photo, too.

“I always turn to the sports section first.
The sports page records people’s
accomplishments; the front page
has nothing but man’s failures.”
-Earl Warren

Photo By • Christa Thomas

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