I had a wonderful talk with Shannon Bahrke-Happe today about that, about professional racing, and life afterward. Shannon was on the US Ski Team for 12 years. During that time, she brought home a silver and a bronze medal. She also won the Overall World Cup title in 2003, had seven World Cup victories, 26 World Cup podiums and her list of wins goes on from there. She is a mom, founder of Team Empower Hour and the author of a children’s book Mommy Why Is Your Hair Pink?
Vasu Sojitra on Finding Normal in our Differences
It’s hard enough being a kid trying to fit in. Imagine being a brown kid with one leg growing up in an affluent and very white Connecticut town. Vasu Sojitra was diagnosed with septicemia at the age of nine months which resulted in the amputation of one of his legs. He spent much of his youth finding his way in the world. In fact, His TedX Bozeman Talk is titled “What is Your Normal?”
Hilary Eisen: Working Together to Save Our Winter Playground
I first learned about Winter Wildlands Alliance when I attended the backcountry film festival this past fall. Turns out, that’s how today’s guest, Hilary Eisen also learned of the organization about five years prior to that. She is the policy director for Winter Wildlands Alliance, which is dedicated to preserving winter wildlands and quality human-powered snowsports […]
Jeff Scott on Living Life After a Spinal Cord Injury
Imagine a world where adventure and outdoor recreation are accessible and affordable for everyone with a disability. That’s the vision behind the Live it Love Foundation, led by executive director Jeff Scott who is joining us today. Jeff had an accident in late 2010 that left him a quadriplegic. Life with a disability has many […]
Libby Ludlow on Finding Happiness by Accepting Change
A former professional ski racer and Olympian realized her destructive self talk was practically ruining her life. If we stop clinging to things that are not permanent, learn to take control of our thoughts and adapt to change, it’s pretty amazing how much happier we can be. Libby Ludlow retired from the U.S. Ski team […]
Kim Vinet on The Joy of Living with Fewer Things
Kim Vinet is a skier, an earth scientist and a public speaker. As we enter the crazy holidays here in the U.S., I hope this episode will serve as a reminder to value what matters. Kim lives in Revelstoke, BC with her husband and two dogs. She is a sponsored athlete and competitive freerider on the Freeride […]
Sarah Yancey on the Practicalities of Living the Dream
Sarah and Mark Yancey own Boulder Hut Adventures, a remote backcountry ski hut in the stunning Purcell Mountains in Southeast British Columbia, Canada. During the ski season, they and their two kids live there hosting guests for a week of powder ski touring. The kids are homeschooled and Adventure Journal called Mark and Sarah “the most awesome parents in the history of parenting.”
It sounds like a dream come true, doesn’t it?
Preparing for Worst-Case Scenarios: What’s in Your Backcountry Ski Backpack?
Listen here: Download Sometimes the tiniest most seemingly inconsequential piece of metal can be the difference between a slog in the mountains and a great day out in the woods. Years ago I was on a mountain bike ride with a group of friends in Mazama, Washington. About halfway into it, and perhaps the furthest […]
Backcountry Ski Series Pt 3: How to Find True Love. In Your Backcountry Skis
Listen here: Download When we set ourselves up for success in life, we succeed. Having the right tools at our disposal is so important. For example, I have been telemark skiing for about 10 years, when a few years ago, I decided I really missed alpine skiing. I made the switch back a bit reluctantly, […]
Backcountry Ski Series Pt 2: Alpine touring bindings and being a grown-up in the backcountry
If the right gear makes or breaks the day, why do so many of us not give much thought to the AT ski bindings? I tried boots on for months, going into shops whenever I was out of town. I demoed skis. I researched, talked to people, and when I got the boots and skis lined […]