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Image via Warren Miller Entertainment
Getting Kaylin Richardson to slow down was Active Junky’s biggest challenge. Her energy and competitive drive haven’t diminished since the 2006 and 2010 Olympics; they’ve simply altered their form. Drop in on these excerpts from our exclusive chat with Kaylin – try to keep pace if you can.
Image via Warren Miller Entertainment
Achievement is an interesting notion. On paper, the noteworthy items on my list include competing as a two-time Olympian and four-time National Champion in alpine ski racing. I'm proud and grateful for these titles, the years of dedication and perseverance made success so sweet. The greatest reward? The confidence to accomplish what I set my mind to; truly a powerful thing! However, every big result has been the byproduct of a string of smaller victories along the way. Some can be tallied and listed, but many more I alone can name.
Durability, timing, and dumb luck were often on my side. When I poke fun at my relatively smooth path, people frequently misjudge pragmatism for an overabundance of modesty and recite the adage, “luck is when opportunity meets preparation,” to bolster my esteem. I am not minimizing my hard work or tough times, but I’ve emerged unscathed from countless falls, crashes and recoveries that should have required a medical team to put me back together. The mental part was my main struggle. Sneakily Type A, I allowed expectations and pressure to handicap me.
Image via Warren Miller Entertainment
An insidious side of the fear of failure is that it makes you look incredibly hard-working. In my case, taking three extra runs while training or spending extra time in the gym displaced working on my mental training. In the early days, coaches told me my worst enemy was between my ears. I still tend to over-think things and occasionally get in my own way, but have since discovered that my busy mind is also one of my greatest strengths. Awareness has been my strongest weapon to ward off negativity.
1) If you implore yourself to live in the moment, unexpected joy will inevitably follow. This is not easy as it requires time and constant practice, but the rewards are great. One my life’s most precious delights is relearning this daily.
2) Challenging yourself and working hard go hand in hand. Success is not a given, but progress is; that is gratifying. Growing in this way is what keeps you vibrant and adaptable.
3) Every person’s story holds value. You do not know their story until you ask.
Image via Warren Miller Entertainment
When I was named to the 2010 Olympic Team, I knew I wanted to pursue other adventures after that huge effort. The life of a World Cup skier is amazing but it becomes predictable after ten years. A large part of the next challenge was enjoying the mountains in a more free-form, personal way. Getting acquainted with the backcountry and entering the big mountain scene gave me to a new way to experience my sport. I fell more deeply in love with skiing than I ever have. Sharing this joy with others is the icing on the powdery cake.
Friends and coaches definitely played their part, but when it comes to my trajectory, my family is the reason I am where I am today. My parents have supported and encouraged every decision I’ve made; never pushing, but always reminding me to be deliberate. They have loved that skiing is a part of my life, but I remember my Dad saying when I was very young, “at the end of the day, it is just sliding down a hill on two wooden boards.” He celebrated my success but kept things in perspective. Looking up to my brothers as a perpetual tag-along (much to their childhood chagrin) is one of the reasons I took to sports so early. Chris and Tom definitely get a hearty slice of thanks for allowing me to eagerly follow in their footsteps.
