About Me


My Bio Speaker's Profile My Top Ten's

My Vision

To celebrate community and inspire hope through my life & actions while having as much fun as possible.

My Story

I grew up in in Kimberley, BC Canada.  It was in this rural mountain town where my love and appreciation for the great outdoors was born.  I learned how to ski at the age of 13, and I joined the local freestyle club when I was 15.  It became clear to me that sliding around on snow and flying through the air was how I wanted to live my life.  Being a skier gave me an outlet to express my creativity.

I spent several years pursuing my dream to be an Olympian.  That goal was forced into retirement due to financial constraints; I then redirected my energy into coaching.  It was while I was coaching that I sustained a spinal cord injury, leaving me paralyzed from the waist down.  Life as I knew it no longer existed.

It’s hard to digest the gravity of such profound change; even to this day.  Experiencing such a powerful personal transformation opened me to some beautiful realizations about life, love and how deeply connected we are on so many levels.  I am eternally grateful for the people in my life that teach, encourage and inspire me to life a life of purpose and service.  Life is a gift and it’s meant to be shared.

A Brief Timeline

  • 1981-1998
    Born and raised in Kimberley, BC
  • 1998
    Graduated high school
  • 1998-2002
    BC Freestyle Ski Team (winter months)
  • 1999-2003
    Lived, worked and played in Dawson City, Yukon (summer months)
  • 2001-2004
    Coached a generation of aspiring ski superstars
  • March 8 of 2004
    Had an accident, which left me paralyzed from the waist down
  • 2005
    A year filled with wonder and curiosity as I explored the world from my new perspective
  • 2006
    First year ski racing
  • 2009
    A celebration of love with m’lady
  • 2007-2012
    Professional skier +  inspired storyteller + truth seeker = my life
  • The FUTURE
    Freeride, racing, films & philanthropy


Motivational Speaking

Presentations

  • Motivation
  • Perseverance
  • Overcoming Adversity
  • Determination
  • Leadership

Summary Profile

Through my life and actions I want to show and inspire others to break down barriers and create freedom from their own disabilities. I am learning that we all have disabilities on many levels of human experience, including emotional, spiritual, and physical. I am finding that my story and the constant pursuit of adventure inspires people to achieve goals they could not imagine — to break barriers, find freedom — and push the limits of their own personal abilities. I’m passionate about inspiring others to see the opportunity to make change and I want to use my personal story to impact people from all walks of life. I have found that being able to share my story, and show my journey is inspiring and helps people take that next step into hope. Hope is such a powerful tool in change.

To schedule a presentation please contact – Cathy Hirst at Speakers Spotlight

 

 

Competition Highlights

  1. Vancouver 2010 Paralympics - Silver Medal in Slalom.
  2. World Championships, Korea 2009 - Gold Medal in Downhill.
  3. X Games, Aspen 2011 - Gold Medal in Mono Skier X.
  4. X Games, Aspen 2012 - Bronze Medal in Mono Skier X.
  5. World Cup, Panorama 2012 - Gold Medal in Super G.
  6. World Cup, Whistler 2009 - Gold Medal in Downhill.
  7. Forerunning World Cup Moguls, Blackcomb 1999.
  8. Dual moguls vs. Jean Luc Brassard, 2001 Canadian Championships | View Link.
  9. Canadian Series, Apex 2001 - Gold Medal in Moguls.
  10. Canadian Para Alpine Champion x 8.

Moments

  1. Hanging with my girl .
  2. Olympic Torch Relay (February 2010).
  3. 1st sit skier to do a backflip (February 2012) | View Link.
  4. Representing Canada @ 2010 Paralympics.
  5. Ellen Degeneres (February 2012) | View Link.
  6. Filming ‘Freedom Chair’ with Switchback Entertainment | View Link.
  7. Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Celebration.
  8. Skydiving.
  9. Camping.
  10. Adventuring.

Places to Visit

  1. Hawaii.
  2. Whistler/Pemberton.
  3. The Kootenay's.
  4. Vancouver + islands(s).
  5. St. John's (Nfld).
  6. New York City.
  7. Montreal.
  8. Dawson City.
  9. Switzerland.
  10. Netherlands.

Books

  1. Autobiography of a Yogi - Paramahansa Yogananda.
  2. The way of the peaceful warrior ~ by Dan Millman.
  3. Oh, the places you’ll go ~ by Dr. Suess.
  4. The Lost Teaching of Atlantis ~ by Jon Penial.
  5. The art of racing in the rain ~ by Garth Stein.
  6. The Sacred Balance ~ by Dr. David Suzuki.
  7. Eddie Would Go ~ Stuart Coleman.
  8. The Wealthy Barber ~ David Chilton.
  9. Tipping Point ~ Malcom Gladwell.
  10. Lord of the Rings ~ J.R.R Tolkien.

Restaurants

  1. Sushi Village ~ Whistler | View Link.
  2. Mas Farmhouse ~ New York | View Link.
  3. Bao Bei Brasserie~ Vancouver | View Link.
  4. Calabash Bistro ~ Vancouver | View Link.
  5. Miku Sushi ~ Vancouver | View Link.
  6. Vij’s ~ Vancouver | View Link.
  7. Theo’s ~ Penticton | View Link.
  8. Pho Fusion ~ Vernon | View Link.
  9. Alta Bistro ~ Whistler | View Link.
  10. Mile 1 ~ Pemberton | View Link.

A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes.                                                           - Mahatma Gandhi