Tag Archives: Halfpipe

It Was Fate

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LymeLight Foundation

In the midst of fundraising for my documentary film LymeLight, a Lyme Disease awareness piece based on my story, I was contacted by the chairman of a non-profit named “LymeLight Foundation.” I remember being very surprised by this news, for I had yet to hear of the foundation and searched this name many times before choosing it for my film. As I met with LymeLight Foundation in the months following our introduction, the potential for a partnership blossomed. Not only do we share the same name, we share the same mission: “to bring support to the Lyme community.”

For over a decade I battled Lyme Disease and was challenged both physically, emotionally and financially. Through my journey back to health, I experienced the rocky road that Lyme patients must travel. From flying cross country to find a Lyme literate doctor, to paying for the majority of my treatment out of pocket, I know the burden Lyme patients carry. I am fortunate to have had the resources required to take on treatment, but the harsh reality is that many are not able to afford it. LymeLight Foundation has filled the much needed role of providing grants to young people and children battling Lyme Disease. The money they raise goes directly to patients needing support. As LymeLight Chairman Scott Bedford explains, “LymeLight Foundation aspires to bring hope for a healthy future to children and young adults struggling with the disease. The financial cost of Lyme Disease can cripple an entire family. A grant from LymeLight Foundation can help ease that burden.”

I am thrilled and honored to announce my partnership with the LymeLight Foundation. I have signed on as a spokeswoman for the coming year and will carry this cause with me throughout my competition season. Along with spreading the word about their great work, I will be donating a portion of all my winnings.

http://www.lymelightfoundation.org

 

Comeback Update #2- Finding Balance

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When I was very young my mom told me that life is like a tightrope walk. If we push away the bad and only reach for the good, we will fall off the rope. The goal is to find middle ground while navigating the positive and negative experiences life presents us with. I have carried this metaphor with me through some major ups and downs in my life. With each new challenge I face, the depth of her wisdom sets in a little more. Life is not just about the good stuff. It’s about balance. Without a bad day, we would not know a good one. Without hot, we would have no concept of cold. The contrast is what gives us foundation.

That being said, let’s get into my Comeback Update #2- Finding Balance.

In Update #1 I left off just before the busy competition season began. Since November, I have competed in 3 contests, landed on 2 podiums, traveled to 1 country outside the US and sustained 1 noteworthy injury.

It all started off with a bang! The North Face Open at Copper Mountain, CO was a dream come true. I was reunited with old friends and landed myself on the podium in 3rd place.

Qualifying day at The North Face Open Copper

Qualifying day at The North Face Open Copper

Click link to see the Freeskier article on Qualifiers

Finals day at Copper.

Finals day at Copper.

The podium at Copper.

The podium at Copper.

Click link to see the Freeskier article on Finals

The very next week was the Dew Tour at Breckenridge, CO. Training went great that week but when it came to qualification day, something was off. I was sick to my stomach and thought maybe it was just an extreme case of nerves. I pushed through and placed 7th in qualifications, just missing finals by a spot. It turns out I had unknowingly eaten scrambled eggs with milk in them that morning and I am lactose intolerant. Oops! Lesson learned, people often add dairy to fluff up scrambled eggs.

Reunion of friends at Breck Dew Tour.

Reunion of friends at Breck Dew Tour.

After a month of skiing in Colorado it was time to make the 8 hour road trip home to Salt Lake City, Utah. I happily settled back into my apartment but just long enough to fit in my first powder turns of the season. A day of shooting with photographer Re Wikstrom at Alta, one of my favorite mountains, was just what I needed! Then it was off to Green Bay, Wisconsin for some long overdue holiday family time.

Happy to be home in my favorite halfpipe. Park City with Kimmy Sharp!

Happy to be home in my favorite halfpipe. Park City with Kimmy Sharp!

After the hectic holidays I was ready to get back into a halfpipe. Park City Mountain Resort is home to my favorite halfpipe in the world! Opening day was epic! Great people, great weather and a beautiful halfpipe all to ourselves. Training progressed smooth that week until one day while working on my left 900, I caught the deck (top of the halfpipe) falling 15+ feet onto my side. I knocked myself out and sustained only a minor concussion thanks to my helmet and mouth-guard. I was restricted from skiing for 10 days, forcing me to miss the Copper Mountain Grand Prix. This was a huge let down, for the Grand Prix competitions are very highly ranked in our sport.

After 10 days off, I got back on snow and began to rebuild my confidence. With 1 day of skiing in Utah, I was off to Whistler, British Columbia, Canada for The North Face Open Whistler event. Being born and raised in Bellingham, WA (only 3 hours from Whistler), flying into Vancouver was like coming home. I was greeted outside the airport by air heavy with moisture and evergreen trees abundant. The Pacific Northwest will always have my heart. I placed 2nd at the event and my mom drove up to cheer me on!

2nd place podium in Whistler and my mom was there to cheer me on!

2nd place podium in Whistler and my mom was there to cheer me on!

Click on link to see the Newschoolers article on Finals

It was bittersweet being back in Whistler, where I first met my friend and fallen skier Sarah Burke at a summer ski camp many years ago. That summer Sarah taught me my first 360 in a halfpipe and snuck me into my first bar to go dancing. Whistler was Sarah’s home and where I fell in love with freeskiing. After her passing last January, we gathered in the Whistler halfpipe for a memorial and celebration of her life. Being back at the place where we lit candles to symbolize her light living on in all of us, brought back so many emotions. It was a roller-coaster trip for me. I am so grateful for the support of my coach, good friends and my mom!

Forever in our hearts, we miss you Sarah!

Forever in our hearts, we miss you Sarah!

“Balance” is my mantra for 2013, reminding me to embrace both the ups and the downs this year. For each is vital in knowing the other.

Next up: Park City Grand Prix January 31st. Click link for event Schedule 

The Comeback update #1

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Seems fitting to start with a stroll down memory lane…

Hello from sunny Breckenridge, Colorado. It’s update time…

After returning home from New Zealand, I spent 2 months preparing for the North American winter ski season. With strategic planning, training, eating and mental preparation, I feel ready to take on the busiest competitive season I have ever had. (For example, I have 4 contests before Christmas, when in years past my first contest was mid January!)

Thanksgiving day I set out in the “Silver Bullet” (my Subaru Oakback) from my cozy home in Salt Lake City, Utah to chilly Boulder, Colorado. I was lucky enough to spend a fabulous “Friendsgiving” at the beautiful Katrina Siegfried’s home. I rolled up to her house right as dinner was being served. Katrina took on the challenge of baking a feast that stuck to my Whole30 dietary needs. In a nutshell, Whole30 eating cuts out grains, legumes, dairy and anything processed/refined. Basically I can eat meat, vegetables, fruit, nuts and seeds. It was quite the treat to be able to eat everything at the table. Believe me, this NEVER happens!

I have been skiing in Summit County for 9 days, 4 of which have been in Copper Mountain’s halfpipe. With it being the first halfpipe open of the season, everyone and their brother is here. It is a wonderful, yet busy reunion of old friends and new faces.

Day 1, 2 and 3 at Copper had their ups and downs, falls and triumphs. But today provided my most profound lesson yet.

“When making a comeback, you must let go of what was, what could have been, and what should be… and focus on what is.” 

My friend Tori Beattie gave me some amazing advice. She suggested I treat each trick as if I am learning it for the first time. This really resonates with my current struggle… my frustration comes when I compare my current skiing to how I used to ski 4 years ago. My plan is to calm my mind and focus on the progress I am making. Rome was not built in a day, and I WILL ski to my potential once again.

BIG shout out to my friends, family and coach Luke Allen for all the positive vibes and advice this week.

Cheers to patience, dedication and strength of character!

 

May horaaay!

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May has brought much more than just flowers this year! Here is a recap of what’s been going on:

  • *Lyme Disease Awareness Month began.
  • *I released a trailer and Kickstarter fundraiser for LymeLight, my Lyme awareness film.
  • *ESPN, Powder Magazine, Skiing Magazine and Grind TV wrote articles about LymeLight, creating buzz about Lyme.
  • *Friends, family and community spread the word about LymeLight and Lyme Disease awareness.
  • *My “LymeLight kits” went into production (T-shirts, wristbands and other Lyme awareness gear coming soon.)
  • *I ran my first 5K race, and dedicated my efforts to Girls On The Run (a program that promotes young girls being active), Lyme Disease awareness and the memory of Sarah Burke.

What a BIG month May has been thus far!

The second week of May marked the release of a month long fundraiser for LymeLight, the Lyme awareness documentary I am making. I have been working with Neu Productions since November 2011 to capture footage for the film. Our goal is to raise enough money to produce and complete the documentary, take it on tour to spread Lyme awareness and share my story around the world. To find out more about my project and how you can get involved and donate, visit the LymeLight Kickstarter page.

I’m blown away by the support LymeLight has received from family, friends and community! With nearly every person I know -yeah you know who you are :-) … reposting, emailing, tweeting, and telling people in their lives about LymeLight, we were able to raise 25% of our goal in 7 days! Now we are at 70% on day 14! Beyond just raising money to finish LymeLight, with everyone’s help we’ve spread the word about Lyme Disease far and wide. My dream of raising awareness has already begun to come true, thanks to the support of people like you!

I started off the 3rd week of May by running my first 5K race. This is an accomplishment that solidified my triumph over illness. It was only a few years ago that I was unable to run at all due to severe pain and arthritis.

Here are a few photos of Becca Babicz and I during the “Girls On The Run” 5K at Sugarhouse Park. We dedicated our race to the memory of Sarah Burke and Lyme Disease awareness month. Thanks to Reid Persing for his photography skills and support.

I encourage you all to get out and partake in Lyme Disease awareness month! No matter what form your support takes, every bit of energy towards this cause makes a difference. Here are a few ideas of ways to get involved and spread the word:

  • *Reposting the link to the LymeLight Kickstarter page on Facebook.
  • *Share with the people in your life why you’re motivated to spread the word about Lyme Disease. (In person, over the phone or in an email.)
  • *Wear a lime green ribbon or article of clothing to symbolize your support.
  • *Join a community event/walk/race and wear lime green.
  • *Blog about Lyme Disease awareness month, sharing what you know and feel about this illness.
  • *Instagram/tweet/facebook artistic photos of limes, with captions mentioning Lyme awareness month (Being creative by using the “play on words” to catch people’s attention.)

Thanks to everyone for your support! Let’s keep the ball rolling…

:-)