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In the history of humankind, some people really stepped up by stepping out of their respective comfort zones. They did the things we’re scared to do, lived the lives we’re scared to leave. And you know what? We’re all better for it. So, here’s our toast to some of the most extraordinary people of all time. The Prompt has inducted our inaugural class into the Leaving Their Comfort Zone Hall of Fame.
Christopher Columbus
By Josh Bard
First we welcome, posthumously, a man, an OG, who historically left not only his comfort zone, but society’s comfort zone. Christopher Columbus dared to do what no one, besides Amerigo Vespucci, the Vikings, and probably a few others did, and sail west. Sure his destination was erroneous, but his daring and bravado to test the idea of a round Earth cannot be diminished. And sure, his disease spreading and origination of white privilege in America is well documented, but his quest to find a new way is legendary. Thank you sir, for all that you have done.
Mick Fanning
By Jillian Conochan
These inductees are really something, aren’t they?
Yeah, they a’ight. But tell me something… how many members of the Hall of Fame of Leaving Your Comfort Zone have punched a shark? PUNCHED A SHARK ladies and gentlemen. And not just any shark. This was a great white.
It was no match for White Lightning. I don’t need to tell you about Mick Fanning’s 3-Peat on the World Surf League. You hardly need to know that he reigned for 6 years as Australian Male Surfer of the Year. His appointment this year as an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to the sport of surfing? He practically earned it with his eyes closed.
Mick Fanning punched a shark, cementing his position as a Leaving Your Comfort Zone legend.
Bobbi Gibb
By Kelaine Conochan
It’s hard to put this in context because it’s so stupid. But, because some men in positions of authority are insecure, they deny women entry into things where sex and gender have no bearing. Whether they’re insecure about losing to women or that women will take their jobs/power/dicks–who am I to say?
ANYWAY, shout out to my girl Bobbi Gibb who wouldn’t take no for an answer when she received a dum-dum response from Will Cloney, the race director of the 1966 Boston Marathon. Cloney’s response informed Gibb that women were “not physiologically capable of running marathon distances” and that under the rules that governed amateur sports, women were not allowed to run more than a mile and a half competitively.
Bitch, please. Gibb hid in the bushes (#symbolism) and then snuck into the race without a bib, dressed in her brother’s clothes. Obviously, most of the dudes in the race thought she was dope because most dudes aren’t oppressive monsters. And with her own two legs and the support of thousands of non-idiots who understand physiology and have normal self-esteem, she ran a 3:21:40 marathon (7:41/mile) in her brother’s Bermuda shorts.
We’re putting Bobbi Gibb in the Hall of Fame of Leaving Your #ComfortZone, because if we don’t, she’ll sneak in anyway.
John Varvatos
By Zach Straus
It was the early 90s and America was at a crossroads. Up until this point in our history, our country’s hale and healthy men were forced into a cripplingly binary choice at an early age: Are you a boxers man or a briefs man? More often than not, your so-called-choice was hereditary. Your dad wears boxers? Floppy balls for weeks. Your dad wears briefs? Skid marks for life.
Enter John Varvatos. Hero. Visionary. A man who was about to SMASH THE TESTICHRIARCHY. As the head of menswear design at Calvin Klein, he had a simple idea. Why not combine the strengths of both available options? “We just cut off a pair of long johns and thought this could be cool.”
The boxer brief was born.
No one thought it would work. Surely, we would continue to punish ourselves for the scrotal sins of our fathers. Surely, we weren’t ready to rethink the options we had for our most private comfort zones. WRONG.
Varvatos had a bulging ace up his cotton dick sleeve. Marky Goddamn Mark. Thanks to Varvatos’s foresight and Marky’s foreskin, CK boxer briefs were unstoppable. It was the underwear revolution we’d all been waiting for. The (way my balls) rest is history.
The Jonas Brothers
By Jay Kasten
So many wonderful inductees into the “Hall of Fame of Leaving Your Comfort Zone.” It is my pleasure to be able to expand that pool with three amazing guys. I actually have a personal history with these kids. I would even go so far as to say I feel like a brother to them.
But, one moment stands out. An incredible feat and certainly a departure from their comfort zone. I’m sure a departure from many of our own comfort zones, am I right? They were brave. Stood tall. Swam against the current in uncertain times.
Today, we raise a glass, saluting their accomplishments. These three are truly ahead of their time, by 983 years. It is my honor, my privilege to formally welcome The Jonas Brothers into the “Hall of Fame of Leaving Your Comfort Zone” for their contributions to both scientific discovery and musical artistry with “Year 3000.” Congratulations, Kevin, Joe, and Nick. You deserve this.
Doritos Nacho Cheesier Inventor
By Josh Bard
The next member of the inaugural Hall of Fame class also went beyond the accepted limits of mankind. Today we pay homage to the Frito-Lay employee who saw Doritos Nacho Cheese chips and said, we can do better. He or she embraced their fanatical idea, understanding that we Americans could be bolder, spicier, and much fatter. Frito-Lay employee number 732 knew that every one of us needed more industrial cheese powder in our lives. Thank you for allowing each and of us to be the most unnecessarily superlative version ourselves. Today we honor you.
Future Mars Travelers
By Jesse Stone
I would like to nominate a group of folks for induction into a future class of the “Hall of Fame of Leaving Your Comfort Zone.” This group would include every single person yet to board the first ever flight to Mars, be it courtesy of Uncle Sam or Elon Musk. These folks will endure 3 g forces during liftoff.
After escaping Earth’s orbit, assuming the rocket doesn’t explode before then, they will be looking at 2-3 years of strapping into bed each night, sucking up floating drops of urine with a hose, and tolerating the obnoxious habits of their roommates, who will never be farther than 5 to 10 meters away from them. And once they get to Mars, assuming their spacecraft hasn’t crashed into an asteroid along the way, they are looking at a lifetime of homesteading on a planet that is insanely hostile to life. Perhaps worst of all, they will have to wait 25 minutes to listen each time they select a new song on Spotify.
Michael Jordan
By Dan Helinek
How do you become the G.O.A.T. of all G.O.A.T.s? It’s pretty simple, really. All you have to do is (a) be born with insane athleticism, (b) develop a killer instinct that drives you to crush anyone who questions your place in the hierarchy of your chosen sport, and (c) win three straight championships.
Oh, and then quit what you’ve spent your entire life pursuing for another in which sport you clearly will never succeed. Michael Jordan was well on his way to being the greatest basketball player to ever live, but when he rode that AA bus during the summer of 1994 with the Birmingham Barons, he became a G.O.A.T. at reminding us that sometimes when the entire world thinks you’re crazy for leaving your comfort zone, you just might be.
Ben and Jerry
By Monica McNutt
This next nomination may strike some as a little odd, as our nation as a collective is only recently starting to become hip to the downsides of dairy consumption. As a child who never consumed dairy, this company and this creation has allowed me to truly feel mainstream and enjoy cake AND ICE CREAM (not Cool Whip). A special shout out goes to Ben & Jerry’s Non-Dairy Frozen Treats. Do y’all know what it means to go in a B&J and get an ice cream cone? You may not as you’ve always been able to but trust me this is a big deal. Cheers to Ben & Jerry’s for acknowledging even comfort food has room for improvement.
Who did we leave off our list? Tweet us or comment on Facebook to sound off on your picks!
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