Mariah Sizemore posted the moment on TikTok, where it's amassed over 2 million views
Credit: Mariah Sizemore
NEED TO KNOW
- Mariah Sizemore faced her fear to swing 500 feet over a Moab canyon — then watched as her fearless 8-year-old daughter, Lakelin, followed right after
- The family, who seek out new adventures together, originally filmed the moment just to share with loved ones
- Mariah says the experience was about making memories and hopes it inspires others
When Mariah Sizemore and her family planned their latest adventure, they knew they wanted to do something that would push them out of their comfort zone.
The Atlanta-area mom, along with her husband Collin and their 8-year-old daughter Lakelin, had already spent the past year chasing new experiences — from white water rafting in Jackson Hole, Wyo., to riding in a hot air balloon in St. George, Utah.
So when they decided to visit Moab, Utah, they knew exactly what their next challenge would be.
“We have been wanting to try new adventures,” Sizemore tells PEOPLE exclusively. “We have never been to Moab, so it was a good idea!”
That next adventure? Swinging 500 feet over a canyon — something Mariah admits she wasn’t entirely sure she could do.
“Honestly, I was super nervous!” she says. “Collin and Lakelin were cool as cucumbers, so I had to put on a brave face!”
@mariahsizemore I jumped first! my brave girl went after me and we had a blast 💓 LETS GO! @Moab Swingers #moab #fyp #ropeswing #girlsjustwanttohavefun
♬ original sound – classical❤️music
Still, she wasn’t about to back down.
“Me and my husband are always competitive with each other, so I wasn't going to let him show me up,” she adds with a laugh.
After watching videos for months to prepare, the family finally saw the swing in person, and Mariah knew there was no turning back.
“I went and jumped first or I was worried I was going to be too nervous and not jump, so I strapped up and just went for it,” she says. “I’m glad I did because it’s a rush like no other!”
But if the jump felt nerve-wracking for her, what came next was even harder: watching her daughter get ready to go.
“When I got back to the top, I [saw] Lakelin was getting prepared to go next, and I’ll admit I was super nervous!” she says.
Mariah made sure her daughter knew she didn’t have to do it.
“I told her plenty of times she was okay to not do it, and we totally understand if she didn’t want to,” she says.
@mariahsizemore My fearless little lady. 500 ft drop!! LET’S GO #moabswingers #ropeswing #fearlesskids #fyp #moab @Moab Swingers
♬ original sound – Ri
But Lakelin, she says, never hesitated.
“Lakelin was so brave and said ‘heck no I’m going for it!’ ” Mariah recalls. “So I didn’t want to put my nerves and fears on her and said, ‘okay my girl you got this!’ "
Once she jumped, Lakelin proved just how fearless she was.
“She is so fearless and just went for it!” Mariah says. “And when she got back to the top, she thought it was great!”
Afterward, Mariah asked her the question she had been wondering the entire time.
“I said, ‘[Were] you scared?’ She said, ‘No, Mom, it was fun!’ ” she recalls. “She said she would do it again.”
The family originally filmed the moment simply to share with loved ones. But after watching it a few times, they decided to post it on TikTok. They didn’t expect what happened next.
“We never thought the video would blow up like it did!” she says, noting how the it's since amassed over two million views and thousands of comments.
"Mom, what’s your lexapro dosage?" one user wrote.
"Still gave me chills watching the second time😂," another commented.
A third chimed in, "There’s absolutely no way I would ever let my child do that.'
@mariahsizemore Dad’s turn! Now you know where Lakelin gets it! rope swing 500ft LETS GOO @Moab Swingers #ropeswing #fyp #moab #fearless #dad @Collin Sizemore
♬ Dragula – Rob Zombie
Now, Mariah says she hopes people see the moment for what it was: a family pushing themselves, together.
“I think it’s awesome everyone gets to see us jump, and it’s a good video intended for fun only,” she says.
More than anything, she hopes it inspires others to step outside their comfort zones. Because for the Sizemores, that’s what it’s all about.
“I hope everyone can get out of their comfort zone and go do something fun! The meaning and experience of it all is to make memories with family and try new adventures," she says. “Life is too short, so take advantage, be brave and live life to the fullest! We try to teach our daughter to be brave and strong and always have fun!”
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