Why I Devoted My Life to Opting Outside
One of my first jobs in the outdoor industry was at the Salt Lake City REI store. First, I worked as a cashier and greeter and then, as an action sports specialist. Although I no longer still work there, I visit the store frequently, to get my skis waxed and mounted (there’s no one I trust more) or to stock up on supplies before an international ski mountaineering expedition. I’m honored to stand with REI as they Opt Outside of Black Friday!
Until then, here’s a bit of the backstory of why I felt compelled to pursue my childhood dream of becoming a professional skier.
For much of my childhood, I felt like I was trapped in a prison. I distinctly remember the day the reality of school sunk in. It was in the first week of being in the first grade. I remember looking at the clock, the seconds slowly ticking, and realizing I was going to be stuck in a room like this every Monday to Friday from 9–3 for the next decade and a half of my life. I felt like someone locked me up and threw away the key. For a kid like me, the structure of school didn’t fit my kinesthetic learning style. I am a person who learns by doing. I am a child of nature, who learns best on an adventure. My imagination took me on day dream adventures, exploring the Amazon or climbing the highest peaks.
Scrambling my way up Mt Whitney, the highest peak in California.
For me, the modern, industrialized world, with its sedentary lifestyle, didn’t fill my human needs. That day in first grade, I started to worry about how I would ever be able to adapt and function in the world. My mind always longed for more. I always wanted to color outside the lines, to jump out of my little desk and run outside, where I could be free instead of confined.
Photo: climbing to ski King’s Peak, the highest peak in Utah, captured by Rob Lea
As an adult, I chose to focus on the pursuit of outdoor adventure and a life as a professional snowsports athletes. I found a tribe of people like me. I found a powerful sense of belonging.
Fresh snow always brings a smile to my face. Photo: Rob Lea
I see REI’s #OptOutside campaign as a new awakening of the future we can create. It’s the MockingJay of a new generation. It’s possible to make brave choices that benefit humankind over the bottom line. It’s OK to do things a little differently, to color outside the lines, think outside the box, to consider alternatively schooling our children. It’s ok if to scrape our knees when we trip and fall along the way, the bruises and scratches reveal our humanness. We can rinse the mud on our skin off in a river bath. We can make counterculture mainstream.
Navigating the knife edge ridge of the Matthes Crest.
So this Black Friday, rain or shine, make a commitment to mobilize your friends and family and #OptOutside. Go ice climb, rock climb, ridge scramble, hike, surf, ski, snowboard, trail run, camp, road trip, hot spring or have a leftover Thanksgiving picnic. Choose to be an adventurer instead of a consumer. Create lasting memories rather than consumer chaos. Make a new tradition of getting outside for Black Friday and then extend that to all Holidays. We chose what we consume. Consume adventure rather than chaos at the checkout line.
I’ll be outside, nurturing my inner child in the great outdoors.
Created in partnership with REI. #sponsored
