Hedvig Wessel, a world-class freeride skier, stood at a crossroads in her life.
After years of relentless competition, she had grown weary.
For three consecutive seasons, she had landed in second place in the Freeride World Tour.
The disappointment, compounded by harsh conditions and the grind of always falling short, drained her mentally and emotionally.
She stepped away from the competitive circuit, seeking solace in what first drew her to skiing—the joy, the freedom, the mountains.
But the question of whether to return lingered.
It wasn’t just about the competition anymore; it was about facing her fear of failing again.
That fear loomed heavy when her manager and loved ones urged her to consider a comeback.
They believed in her potential, but Hedvig wasn’t sure.
She turned to her psychologist for guidance, and together they explored a method to bring clarity: a simple yet profound decision-making exercise rooted in intuition.
Two pieces of paper. Two choices.
On one piece, they wrote: “I’m pulling out of the Freeride World Tour.”
On the other: “I’m competing on the Freeride World Tour.”
Hedvig was asked to step onto each paper, one at a time, and embody the reality of that decision fully.
As she stood on the first paper, marked with “I’m pulling out,” her body seemed to slump under an invisible weight. Shame. Darkness.
A deep sense of failure washed over her.
There was some relief, yes—no more relentless pressure, no more sleepless nights haunted by what-ifs.
But overwhelmingly, the choice felt heavy, like giving up a piece of herself.
She shook off the feeling and stepped onto the second paper: “I’m competing on the Freeride World Tour.”
Something shifted instantly.
Her posture straightened. Her chest rose with pride. A quiet, undeniable strength bubbled up inside her.
Excitement replaced fear. She felt clear, energized, and—most importantly—capable.
For the first time in months, she believed in herself.
Tears welled in her eyes as she turned to her psychologist.
“I’m going back to the tour,” she said.
The weight of the decision was still there, but so was the resolve.
She knew the path ahead would be hard, but she also knew it was hers to take.
Insights
Our Bodies Often Know the Truth
Hedvig’s exercise highlights how intuition lives in the body.
By feeling the emotional and physical responses to each choice, she bypassed the noise of overthinking and tapped into what truly aligned with her.
The Role of Emotions in Decision-Making
Decisions aren’t just rational equations of pros and cons. They are deeply tied to how we feel.
Embracing this emotional element brought Hedvig closer to her truth.
Trust Is a Muscle We Build
Hedvig’s clarity came not from forcing a decision, but from reconnecting with her inner compass.
The exercise reaffirmed her trust in herself—a crucial step in making bold, life-changing choices.
Visualization Brings Clarity
Imagining each decision fully, as though it were already real, helped Hedvig experience the impact of each choice.
This level of embodiment unlocked insights logic alone could not reveal.
Takeaway
When life presents you with a tough choice, consider this intuitive exercise:
- Write down each option on separate pieces of paper.
- Place them on the floor.
- Stand on one, close your eyes, and imagine living that decision fully. Feel it in your body, notice your emotions, and pay attention to your instinctive response.
- Repeat with the other option(s).
- Compare how you feel and let that clarity guide your decision.
Hedvig’s journey reminds us that sometimes, the answers we seek don’t live in our minds but in our hearts and bodies.
By listening closely, we can make choices that reflect who we truly are and what we genuinely want.
This post was inspired by Hedvig Wessel's interview with Dr. Rangan Chaterjee.