My mindset is my biggest struggle, especially when my fears get out of hand. I don’t have many fears about skiing, but I do in other sports like kite surfing, mountain biking, which I’m not very proficient, and my mind can spiral downward. A teacher of mine once told me, “When you feel fear, draw a door and walk through that door.”

Low-frequency emotions like fear, anger, guilt, and jealousy are also part of the human experience. When I’m at my low, I acknowledge them, sit with the discomfort, and work to raise my frequency. My recipe is dancing, hugging my dog, and doing any kind of physical exercise like skiing.

But how does all of this relate to skiing? Let’s consider fear. You might be afraid of falling off a cliff or breaking a leg. How much courage would you have if you’re sitting in fear? You always have options:

• Skip the mountain vacation entirely (and miss creating memories with your friends and family)
• Stay in the lodge sipping hot cocoa (and miss the mountains’ magic)
• Hire an instructor and start on the bunny hill (and risk the embarrassment of making mistakes even though you know that everyone starts as a beginner)
• Join a group lesson with other beginners (where falling is part of the learning process, just like Lindsey Vonn; where falling and getting up is a part of the sport, just like life)

Whatever you choose, there’s always a risk and a potential missed opportunity. Remember, whether you think you can or can’t, you’re right. I invite you to take baby steps towards your fears. Sometimes I take small steps; other times, I dive headfirst into what scares me. It can be teary, bloody, and gut-wrenching.

Draw a door on fear, open the door, and walk through.

Meeting You Where You Are

In my ski teaching, I meet you where you’re at while gently encouraging you to explore your edges. If you say no, I respect your boundaries. I’ll suggest another small step. Once you’re comfortable, we move to the next challenge if you’re ready. We might do many laps on the beginner conveyor belt before tackling a chairlift ride. You set the pace, and I’m there with you every step of the way. I got you, my friend. We build your confidence safely. We draw the door in fear and walk through the door together. This approach applies to life beyond the slopes too. Whether you’re facing fears on the mountain or in your daily life, remember that growth comes from gently pushing your boundaries, practicing gratitude, and embracing the journey.

I’m working on creating video tutorials including a ski meditation. Enroll below so that I can let you know when the tutorials are out.

Do you have a first timer skier or a super beginner skier in your life? Could you please share this page with them??