Like your first day of high school, your first kiss, your first day on a new job, or even a first date; there's a sense of excitement, nervousness and curiosity that makes you feel alive. My first yoga class was pretty much scripted to fall along these same 'first time' lines.

A friend of mine convinced me to attend a Bikram class. I come from a team sports background, and flexibility really was never my strong suit. So standing next to my friend - who used to be a dancer - and trying to do a simple forward bend to touch my toes was a bit embarrassing. The class was filled with yogis who easily balanced on one foot and could fold in half with little push (or physical pain).

I felt out of place... for the first 15 minutes.

Then something clicked. As I sat cross-legged - my blood pressure had dropped and I needed a bit of a break - and watched everyone else balance on their seemingly effortless yet completely graceful Dancer's pose, I realized that no one even paid me any mind. The fact that I was taking a break didn't bother them or their practice. Their energy was focused on something uniquely their own, and I was completely relieved and very intrigued.

Do one thing a day that scares you! It doesn't matter how difficult that one thing is, or how much energy it takes. Yoga has profoundly changed my life, and I'm certain it will yours too. Just give yourself that chance to become truly at ease with the energy and realize that you're just one person in this great, big, giant pool that is the universe, and that stepping out of your comfort zone and challenging your body, mind and soul is the only way you'll ever know the greatness you can achieve.

We're not meant for mediocrity, we're meant for greatness. Be great; even if all that means is stepping into your first yoga class and learning the beauty of your first savasana.

Namaste.

We held an outdoor yoga class outside our office to welcome Muhammad Ali with sun salutations and warrior poses.

In town promoting a new documentary called Facing Ali, the Greatest himself graced us with his powerful presence at 10:30 am this morning. Through a personal connection with our founder Chip, Muhammad and his wife Lonnie were generous enough to join the SSC, Distribution Centre, Guest Education Centre, and store lululemons for an impromptu visit.

Allison, our elite athlete coordinator (and the author of this post!) relaxing at the SSC while we wait for Muhammad to arrive.

Well, on the grand scale, we believe that receiving confirmation Wednesday afternoon is impromptu. In this short period of time, the company pulled together as a team. In 48 hours we created the ceremony space, had a member of each department and each store honored with a photo op, and even had a Game Over hoodie made for Ali that read "The Greatest" on the back. As I sit here three hours later, I struggle to put the experience in words and the tears keep creeping back up.

We are a company that believes in the greatness of our people, and to have such an amazing person come share an hour with us truly elevated us all to a new level of greatness. The only point of sadness was the inability to have every employee with us in person.

Today was a day full of greatness.

Among many memorable moments, a true highlight for us all was when one of our leaders, Jenna Hills, placed her new son Ryder in Ali’s lap for a photo. Muhammad smiled at the future lululemon-leader and there wasn’t a dry eye in the crowd.

I have a secret passion for acting. I have loved it throughout my life and acting has given me some of the happiest and most memorable moments of my life. But if you took a look at my goals, you probably wouldn't even know this. I down-played my love to "I appear in a movie as an extra" for a one-year goal. Most people are like "Wow, that’s cool", but honestly, it is a copout.

What goes up must come down. We often think of this simple phrase in a rather negative light. Greatness will lead to failure, strength will collapse to weakness. Climb a mountain and you will need to climb back down (or live on the top as a hermit).

Ups and downs are inevitable in life but we try our damnedest to fight against this. Why?

Fear drives us to not act in case we fail. But aren’t we 'failing' if we don't act either, or even more so, because if we gave it our all and 'failed' would that not be more of a success than nothing at all? When you risk it all and give it all you've got, you'll end up with a lot either way.

When I realised this fact I took a look around and asked myself "What am I waiting for?!"

I think a lot of us have secret goals we are scared to pursue or even declare out loud!

Now that I am present to all of this, I feel a sense of power to go out and give it my all. Instead of those old fears running through my head, I have a new motto: "Play hard. Risk it all!"

My new goal now is already in motion: I move to Vancouver, sign up with an agency and I will be an extra in movies and for television, every week, any opportunity that comes my way! I want it! And I am going to get it.

Do you have any goals that are a little timid and might be covering up some unsaid fears? Be honest with yourself, then just go for it already! Play hard and live an ambitious life.

Above: Vanessa wears the Remix Hoodie Lux in her tent in Tofino. Who will she affect today?

lululemon's vision is elevating the world from mediocrity to greatness. That's a pretty bold statement, isn’t it?

Individuals sometimes feel we can't make a difference in the world and we wonder what the point is. But this weekend I realized something: how truly powerful and influential I am. It isn’t arrogance, just reality. And I will ask you to read on to find out why.

I made some important calls and got in touch with family back home in Australia. Usually, I "skim listening", where I don't pay a whole lot of attention to what they say, because I think I already know what they are going to say. I think we are all guilty of this, at some time or another. However,this time was different. I stayed in the moment and actually listened to them and I could hear in their voice the impact I had on them.

But you know I'm not just talking about family. You impact everyone around you.

As I waited at the Vancouver airport last night at 11pm, I listened to this guy sitting further along the bench. He did not sound happy, so after he got off the phone I asked what was wrong. Seems there was a problem with his flight ticket, about an additional tax that did not occur when he originally bought the ticket. Heading back home to England, he had cashed in all his travelers cheques and had no money to pay the $53 they told him he owed.

Not being able to get into the city or back in time to go to a currency exchange, he was hugely stressed. He would have to stay in Canada and then fork out who knows how much for a new ticket. I shrugged my shoulders and said, "I will pay for you". This young English guy couldn’t believe it! "But you don’t know me!?" he protested, to which I replied: "So what?"

By that one simple gesture, he got home to his family. And I got an invite to not only stay at his bed and breakfast in England, but his mum also offered me a job! I couldn’t stop laughing at the hilarity of it all and how wonderful life can be, full of surprises. I had impacted his life so greatly. Not just him, but his family’s, my own life and all the people that I tell this story to.

Take a look at those around you, open your eyes and realize you impact them. Make a difference. Act. Do it now!