"You can feel yourself; not as a stranger in the world, not as something here on probation, not as something that has arrived here by fluke. But you can begin to feel your own existence as absolutely fundamental..."
"I believe that living by someone else's prescribed timeline is unrealistic at best and potentially damaging at worst..."
Billy Yang's short film, "The One Thing", looks back at all that's happened in 2016 and ushers it's viewers into 2017 with a challenge and renewed hope. We all can relate to the stress of living in accordance to what others think is best for us, in a way and on a schedule that they see fit. Being true to yourself doesn't always please everyone, but you're the only one you're guaranteed to be with every moment of every day! Keep that in mind when setting your intentions and priorities for this new year.
"For me, I choose to focus on things that matter. I choose to focus on the good in people."
What is most important to you? How does someone discover what their "one thing" is, and act in a way that aligns with that? Click HEREfor 15 questions that help you discover your life's purpose, and then transform that into your own personal mission statement.
"So going into the new year my personal mission statement will remain the same; to keep living a life that feels true to me, to continue to see as much of the world as possible, and to keep telling stories of amazing people around us..."
"My challenge to you is to go into 2017 with an open heart, to give more than you receive, believe in the bestof each other, and most importantly - leave a great legacy. You do that when you impact others in a positive way."
"People ask me why I do this over and over again and the best thing I've come up with is 'Because I have to'. I don't know how to live my life any other way."
Corey Rich of Corey Rich Productions filmed "WHY" exclusively on his Nikon D4. Though technology has continued to advance in the 5 years since it was filmed, it is stunning nonetheless. His goal was to capture the drive, passion and outlook of those who are the very best at what they love to do. During this endeavor he and his crew traveled to Veracruz, Mexico, Moab, Utah and Joshua Tree, California interviewing three exceptional athletes that are a cut above the rest in their respective pursuits.
His list of requirements was short but concise. They needed to A.) Be the best in the world at what they do and B.) Be true role models/heroes. Dane, Rebecca and Alex certainly didn't disappoint. What Corey found was that asking "WHY" was merely the tip of the iceberg. Everyone has their own why that speaks true to them, but perhaps we all share a bit of the same why, too!
"We feel that this stands as a symbol of the insatiable curiosity of all mankind to explore the unknown."
- Buzz Aldrin, astronaut aboard the Apollo, July 24th, 1969
Curiosity is inherent in humans from the time we are very young. Throughout history, those who have made the most significant contributions and lasting marks on the world have been curious to their core - always searching for an alternative path, new ideas and ways to get there.
Being curious throughout life can benefit you (and the world around you!) in many ways. When you're curious, your mind is active rather than passive, which helps it to grow stronger and stronger the more you challenge it to think outside the box. It also leads to an adventurous life in which new doors open everywhere you look. As new ideas emerge, you are more likely to give them genuine consideration if they pique your interest and curiosity. You will also be more open minded to the thoughts and opinions of others, which is never a bad thing.
What if you've grown out of your child-like curiosity? Never fear - there are things you can do to claim it back....
1.) Read diverse material
By reading many different genres, you immerse yourself into all sorts of worlds, complete with characters and circumstances that are unique. Get a subscription to an educational magazine that you normally don't pick up, and get to reading!
2.) Keep an open mind
This may seem pretty obvious, but you'd be amazed at how few people truly keep an open mind in life. By being willing to learn, unlearn and relearn things, you open the door to new knowledge and opportunity.
3.) Don't take anything for granted
When you accept that the world is the way it is, you have absolutely no incentive to dig deeper. Always strive to look beneath the surface and discover more than what meets the eye.
4.) Ask questions
Who, what, when, where and why are ones we all learned in school, and they still apply once you've grown up! Keep them in your back pocket and don't forget about them. They can always be pulled out on a daily basis.
5.) Choose to see learning as fun
This takes some practice, but it is definitely possible. Even the most challenging of things can be rewarding to attempt (sometimes over and over) until we finally succeed. Look at life through a glass that's half full and exciting.
In a world where constant distractions can drain the energy from even the most ambitious among us, Lynsey Dyer - American freestyle and big mountain skier - examines the beauty in the simple things; namely being outdoors and in nature.
"..... It comes down to connection and being engaged in life. That's really it. It's a structure for having this purpose and focus and commitment to something on a daily basis."
- Anton Krupicka
Anton Kurpicka is an ultra-runner living in Boulder, CO, best known for his long hair and dedication to trail running. Though he has many wins under his belt, including two at the Leadville 100, he admits that his relationship to the sport has been more affected by injury in the past couple years than ever before.
Despite the challenges of setting his ego aside, Anton speaks to the importance of daily rituals and dedication, especially when they feed the body and soul.
May 1st, 1963, Jim Whittaker became the first American to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Though he and his Sherpa, Nawang Gombu, ran out of oxygen before reaching the top, they managed to achieve their goal and planted an American flag at the top.
In this short film, Whittaker examines what a "good life" is composed of. Thought-provoking and inspirational, he describes that nature is truly the best teacher in the world. You cannot help but learn things every time you step out of your comfort zone.
To live a life well lived, I think, is to give back. To enjoy as much of the planet as you can. To learn as much about yourself so when you check out, you know pretty much that you've done everything you can. To be as good at something - at anything - as you can, and to contribute to the longevity of the planet, so that your children and their children and their children will be able to enjoy as much as you do on this magical, wonderful planet...
- Jim Whittaker
t's not uncommon for Mondays to bring about a lot of unknown around the week ahead, and cause a bit of anxiety. You're anticipating all that you need to accomplish, things you aren't looking forward to, and wondering what will come next.. Who knows the twists and turns you'll have to deal with.
But Monday is also the chance to start your week of on a positive and productive note!
This guided meditation can help you to deal with the worry of not knowing, and embrace feelings of uncertainty. It only takes 5 minutes and is guaranteed to point you in the right direction for the week ahead.
"As we get farther and farther away, the Earth diminished in size. Finally it shrank to the size of a marble, the most beautiful marble you can imagine... seeing this has to change a man."
- James Irwin, Apollo 15
Friends Alex Gorosh and Wiley Overstreet would need 7 miles of continuous space if they wanted to create a to-scale model of our solar system. Naturally, a bone-dry lake bed in Nevada was the perfect location for their venture. But they wouldn't merely be dragging sticks through the dirt to show the sheer magnitude of what is nearly always represented incorrectly; instead, they would connect light tracks to illustrate the planetary orbits in the night.
"We are on a marble, floating in the middle of nothing.... When you sort of come face-to-face with that, it's staggering." - Wiley Overstreet
It's difficult to watch their experiment and not feel the gravity of it all.
We've all had those times in our lives - whether they be days, months or years - in which we feel the world revolves around us. In contrast, we all have those times of clarity when we see the connections between us and all that is.
To put things into perspective, imagine everything that makes up your life and the way you live it: your house, your country, your continent and all the people in it, and the billions of other people who inhabit this beautiful planet alongside us — and then imagine all of that is a collective speck of dust on a brilliant, blue marble being hurled through space... and that is Earth.
Perhaps Calvin and Hobbes can shed some light on this philosophical prod - if we are specks of dust that can also do powerful things, does everything matter or does nothing matter? We all have to share this world together, and finding that balance is the greatest journey of all!
Our ancestors were forced to evolve into ultra-runners, over time and as more travel became necessary to hunt prey that was constantly on the move. Almost 2 million years ago, ancient men would scoff at the proposition of running 100 miles - if scoffing had been a thing back then, of course. Regardless of their opinion on it, the fact remains that it was no physical problem.
But nowadays, ultra-runners are prime specimens and exceptions to the norm. No one actually needs to run that far for that long, but some simply want to...
The Leadville Trail 100 is commonly referred to as the "Race Across the Sky" and began in 1983. This out and back course takes you from it's lowest point of 9,200 feet to it's highest at 12,600 feet up on Hope Pass. Most of the run is done on forest trails and certain sections of mountain road. Lottery drawings for participation in 2017's race open December 1st through the 31st, 2016.
(Video Credit: Salomon Trail Running)
"It gets to a point during a run like that, no matter how good an athlete you are and no matter how well trained you are, that it’s going to really hurt. And it’s going to transcend the physical and become about the mental..."
As one of the oldest ultamarathons in the world, The Leadville Trail 100 attracts all sorts of ambitious athletes looking to test their limits and break down barriers. In it's first year it had only 45 competitors and was originally organized as a way to bring more people to Leadville - a mining town that struggled when the mine was shut down. Today, the event has huge sponsorship, training camps, and many other events for athletes of all kinds.
Adventure.com is a resource for anyone who ventures outside of their comfort zone, and those who want to live a life of adventure - around the world and in their own backyards. Their goal is to inspire people to make their next adventure a reality.
Originally, it was created as a place for people from all walks of life to share their experiences and stories. Through sharing their adventures with a like-minded community, they hope to cultivate an online environment in which individuals can continue to draw inspiration and discover new things they've never tried before!
"Your life can be the greatest adventure you've ever dreamed of..."
After a nature-filled Labor Day weekend, what better way to usher in another week than a short film featuring Colorado's fast-approaching Fall season?
Toby Harriman is a photographer, timelapser, content creator and a social influencer. He has worked with large clients, such as CBS, CNBC, Red Bull and many more. As a kid growing up in Colorado, he can appreciate and capture the beauty and wonder that is this amazing state - and he's done just that in his most recent short film, 'A Slice of Colorado's Autumn.'
"During September and October of 2013 and 2015, I drove from San Francisco back to my birth state of Colorado to experience a bit of fall," explains Harriman. "Growing up there, I was young and not really into photography yet. So it is amazing to go back every year now and see it with a whole new perspective. I did sneak one clip in from summer."
"What you see before you, my friend, is the result of a lifetime of chocolate."- Katharine Hepburn
That's right - chocolate! You don't often find people that dislike it, but plenty that love it in varying degrees. Milk, dark, salted, peanut-filled, nibbles or entire bars... Seems most of us crave this treat at least once in a while! But how can chocolate help motivate & inspire aspects of your life other than the sweet tooth?
Check out this fantastic new commercial that DOVE® Chocolate recently released... Then read some of the many benefits to chocolate that we've listed below, and try to convince us chocolate isn't a wonderful thing!
(Video Credit: DOVE® Chocolate)
Regular dark chocolate eaters invite a host of benefits to their bodies. You're not shopping for the sugary stuff on most grocery store shelves - focus in on 75% of higher cocoa content, organic, dark chocolate. Here's the inside scoop...
Dark chocolate has a much higher and wider variety of powerful antioxidants than most other foods, which help the body to fight free radicals
The flavanols in dark chocolate can stimulate the lining of the arteries to produce Nitric Oxide, which relaxes them, in turn lowering blood pressure
It improves several risk factors of heart disease, and even improves insulin sensitivity in the body
One study revealed that eating dark chocolate 2 or more times per week lowered the risk of having calcified plaque in the arteries by 32%
Studies show that the flavanols from cocoa can improve blood flow to the skin and help protect it against sun-induced damage
Cocoa contains stimulant substances like caffeine and theobromine, which improve brain function short term
In scientific terms, eating chocolate is significantly associated with superior "visual-spatial, memory and organization, working memory, scanning and tracking, abstract reasoning and mental exams."
Plus, chocolate just makes you feel good & inpired!
Sister Madonna Buder, aka the "Iron Nun" became the oldest person to ever finish the IRONMAN Triathlon at 82 years of age, breaking records and barriers in the process. Thanks to her humble refusal to conform to ageism in physical competitions, she's personally opened 5 age groups in her lifetime that did not exist before.
She was recently featured in an ad for Nike. When asked why they chose Sister Madonna as their feature, Nike responded that is was "because she's an athlete who refuses to conform to the conventional ideas of age", and for her stamina and resilience.
You go, Sister! We can all learn something from your strength.
This film by Duct Tape Then Beer highlights the highs of the struggle and helps us all to wonder - from the moment our feet hit the floor in the morning, are we running from something or toward something?
If Colorado was getting a cake to celebrate it's birthday today, it would beg us not to put candles on top! After all, 140 candles could potentially be a fire hazard... Here are some interesting facts about our colorful state to celebrate Colorado's 140th year as a state!
Hopefully some of the special offers at the end also motivate you to help Colorado celebrate this special day...
Katherine Lee Bate's famous lyrics "purple mountains majesty above the fruited plains" in "America the Beautiful" came to her from atop Pikes Peak.
Denver can claim inventing the 'cheeseburger'! The trademark was award on March 5th, 1935 to Luis Ballast at his Humpty Dumpty restaurant.
(Photo Credit: Rocky Mountain News)
Colfax Avenue remains the longest continues commercial street in America at 26.5 miles long.
Colorado is the only state in history to ever turn down hosting the Olympics. In 1976, the Winter Olympics were voted against. Coloradoans were concerned about the cost that pollution and a population boom would have on the state.
(Photo Credit: Denver Public Library)
Glenwood Springs is the world's largest natural hot springs pool - and was a favorite spot for former president Teddy Roosevelt.
(Photo Credit: Glenwood Hot Springs)
The Royal Gorge Bridge is the highest suspension in the world at a lofty 1,053 feet.
If you stand on the 13th step of the state capital building in Denver, you will be exactly 1 mile high above sea level!
(Photo Credit: Denver Metro Convention)
The largest flat-top mountain in the world is the Grand Mesa new Grand Junction.
To celebrate the state's 140th birthday, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is giving free park entrance at all 42 state parks on Monday the 1st. Activities like fishing and camping will still require a valid license and permit.
Dunkin' Donuts is offering a limited-edition doughnut that has the Colorado flag frosted on it to celebrated. The doughnut is free with the purchase of any size Cold Brew coffee, or you can purchase one for just 99 cents! Four northern Colorado locations are participating - Fort Collins, Windsor, Loveland and Longmont.
(Photo Credit: Dunkin' Doughnuts)
The History Colorado Museum is honoring the state's birthday with free entry, food, music and other activities. Some other places statewide will also be free all day, including: Byers--Evans House Museum, El Pueblo History Musseum, Fort Garland Museum and Cultural Center, Fort Vazquez Museum, Healy House Museum and Dexter Cabin and Trinidad History Museum.
Historical tours of the Capitol will begin at 1pm and run every half hour all day.
Today our Monday Motivation comes courtesy of none other than Nike. They are behind some of the most motivational and inspirational videos and print ads, and this short video is no exception!
Whether you're an athlete, mother of three, devoted nurse working double shifts or the young person working towards your bigger dreams, this is a fantastic one to watch. Be ready for a cherry on top if you're craving that sweet dose of tough love; the narrative is just what you need when you get the urge to hit that snooze button again instead of getting started with your day...
Today's Motivational Monday post is a shout-out to all the powerful, adventurous, genuine, wild women that we know and love. This short film was produced byOutdoor Research, written & directed by Hilary Oliver | Juniper Media.
"My territory expands with the horizon. I'm finding my pack, remembering my power; that I am strong, connected... I'm rooting down again and finding my own balance. Learning to tune to my own rhythms as I slow down and sense the rhythms around me."
"Some people say that the wild in us is just as endangered as these wild landscapes... Sometimes I'm afraid that might be true. So I'll keep coming back here, where its quiet enough for me to hear in my heart what I am really longing for. Where this wild thing inside me remembers how to be just that -wild."
Jimmy Chin is many things - a husband, a father, a photographer, a film maker and a long-time North Face athlete. But for countless others he is firstly an inspiration. In this short film, he shares what motivates him to never stop pursuing his dreams and curiosities.
"Anything great that I feel like I've accomplished is always from taking a big risk...."
"The two great risks, I believe, are risking too much - but the one I'm really scared of is risking too little, because you have missed opportunity and you should make the most of it."
Everyone's had that dream about soaring through the clouds. Maybe you look over and discover you've sprouted feathers, or perhaps you remain human but somehow are able to remain in-flight... No matter the details, people dream (and daydream) about taking to the sky. To start this week off, we'd like to indulge in that fantasy and share with you some Go Pro video footage of eagles in flight, along with inspiring quotes and poems about flying.
“Courage is the price that Life exacts for granting peace,
The soul that knows it not, knows no release,
From little things;
Knows not the livid loneliness of fear
Nor mountain heights where bitter joy can hear
The sound of wings.”
- Amelia Earhart
(Filmed in the French Alps, Chamonix)
Man must rise above the Earth—to the top of the atmosphere and beyond—for only thus will he fully understand the world in which he lives.
- Socrates
(Filmed in Mt. Favre, Italy)
The bluebird carries the sky on his back...
- Henry David Thoreau
(Filmed over Mont-Blanc)
Be like the bird that, passing on her flight awhile on boughs too slight, feels them give way beneath her, and yet sings, knowing that she hath wings.- Victor Hugo
Trevor Thomas, aka 'Zero-Zero', is a self-described 'adrenaline junkie' and the world's only blind professional long distance hiker. After losing his sight completely at the age of 35, Thomas threw himself into the world of hiking with the hopes of regaining a real sense of independence and self worth. He decided that no matter how he was expected to exist in the world around him as a blind person - he was going to be different.
(Courtesy Trevor Thomas)
"After nearly eight years, nearly 20,000 miles, and numerous thru hikes throughout the United States, what began as a quest has become a career. I still hike to step outside my comfort zone & push the boundaries of what is possible for a blind person to achieve. In addition, I now hike to show that blindness is not the life-ending disease or condition that so many feel it is," says Thomas.
(Courtesy Trevor Thomas)
(Courtesy Trevor Thomas)
In 2012, Thomas received Tennille, his first guide dog, from Guide Dogs for the Blind in California. Most recently, Thomas and Tennille returned to Colorado to complete a through hike of the 500-mile Colorado Trail. It was the first self navigated trek on the trail by a blind person & Tennille was the first guide dog to tackle the trail. While in the sunshine state they also climbed to the summit of Mt.Elbert, which is Colorado's tallest mountain at an elevation of 14,400 feet. It was the first solo ascent of the mountain by a blind person and a new altitude record for the daring duo.
(Courtesy Trevor Thomas)
"My hope is that I can provide hope to those who are afflicted with the disability, & inspiration for them to step outside their own comfort zone to achieve greater heights in their own lives."
"Courage is the power to let go of the familiar.."
- Raymond Lindquist
Colorado is unique in the sense that it feels so familiar to those of us who fondly call it 'home', but it is an ever-changing and evolving place. It is only because people here continue to push for change and growth that it feels more and more like home as time goes on.
According to Tue Tran, director of "What Makes Colorado", it's the people that make Colorado unique.
"...After years of working in the banking industry, I sought inspiration in the form of travel and philanthropy. Being on the road gave me the courage to take the next step. Yes. I did what few people dare to dream of doing. I quit my job, filled up the tank, and drove away from a safe, stable life to pursue my dream of filmmaking.."
The short film shows just a few of the reasons why our state is so special. Check it out and find the motivation to explore and expand your own world!
John Shocklee is a 51 year old with the exuberance for life that any child has. He's made it his mission in life to never grow up, and spends his days doing the things he loves most; skiing, guiding, and practicing a minimalist approach to just about everything. Shocklee's love for 90's hip-hop and fresh powder make him the perfect embodiment of that timeless goal -to never really grow up.
"Physically I feel young, and in my mind... Everybody around me is younger than me. I'm in my twenties as far as my physical health goes. That's honestly - I'm dead serious."
"I've hit the fountain of youth..."
"It's funny. I have this shirt that someone gave me. It says 'Ultimate Peter Pan'. Peter Pan was a boy who never grew old."
Refusing to act his age has worked well for John Shocklee, and it may be the secret for all of us to attain that youthful lifestyle. If it's as simple as a choice, then anyone can feel younger than they are! Check out the YETI film featuring John Shocklee below...
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