This Dirt Life Episode #23 with Brooke Froelich
THIS DIRT LIFE WITH Brooke Froelich
This Dirt Life Episode 23 with Brooke Froelich: Brooke is based out of Salt Lake CIty, UT and is an avid climber, biker, skier and incredible Mother. I met Brooke at the Specialized Ambassadors summit this past year and knew instantly I had to talk more with her. Brooke is doing an amazing job of encouraging other women and especially mothers to get out and enjoy the outdoors, with and without your kid. She is a great inspiration to me, and gives me confidence that if I too were to become a mom, that life is not over… That might sound dramatic but I do hear that or similar remarks a lot. You can follow Brooke’s latest project “growing a skier’ on youtube!
CREDITS
Host >>> Lisa Leonard
Follow Brooke on Instagram >>> @brooke.froelich
Follow Brooke on Facebook >>> Brooke Froelich
Watch Brooke's adventures >>> Brooke's Adventures
Sound Engineer >>> Huskinopolis
Executive Producer >>> Pablo Quiroga
EXTRA FUEL WITH BROOKE FROELICH
WHAT IS YOUR ORIGIN STORY?
When I was younger I lost my sparkle. I struggled with depression and anxiety. I just felt so average- I stopped believing in myself. After years of living like this, I left an abusive marriage, and began building a life for my newborn son and myself. I realized that the times I felt the most empowered, capable, and happy were when I was working on goals outside in the mountains. When I was running for hours on beautiful trails with my dog. When I was climbing, focusing and sweating high above the ground, realizing that nobody could get me up that mountain besides myself. Or when I stood next to my bike on top of a mountain, looking at miles and miles of trails I had traveled and vert I had climbed. The past few years I have built the life of my dreams. Knowing that I am a role model for my son has helped me believe that I can (and must) do anything. I feel balanced and whole, and I have my sparkle back. Most important, I genuinely love and believe in myself, and want to help others feel the same way about themselves.
DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT ADVENTURE
I have two types of perfect adventures. Ones that I share with my son, and ones that I go on without him (usually skiing, climbing, or mountain biking). My perfect adventure with my family is one where I research a new canyon or remote corner of the world, drive for hours down dirt roads with no cell phone service, and go explore. I love exploring new places with the people I love.
WHO INSPIRED YOU TO BE THE PERSON YOU ARE TODAY?
When I was 18, I started working in a molecular biology lab for a woman who was an active, intelligent, single mom. She brought love and energy to every project she worked on and everywhere she went. Years later after getting divorced and having a newborn, I thought about her and remembered that I could create the life of my dreams- even if it was a little more challenging.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR 15 YR OLD SELF?
Approach your challenges and all those you meet with confidence and love. Believe that you CAN be whomever you dream of. You truly become the person you dream of being. Know that you really DO make a difference. And most importantly- Kindness is EVERYTHING. When you are kind to others, hearts (and doors) open up. The best version of yourself is the most generous and kind version of yourself.
DESCRIBE A EUPHORIC MOMENT FOR YOU?
The first time I skinned up a mountain on my skis for sunrise. Sure, getting up at 3:30 am to start skinning up the mountain when it was 5 degrees outside was brutal. But that sunrise reminded me that pushing through challenges offers huge rewards
HOW DO YOU WANT TO IMPACT THE WORLD YOU LIVE IN?
I truly want to help more people (women specifically) feel empowered and emotionally balanced by spending time outside. I want to bring families together by spending time outside together. I want to raise children that are beacons of love and light to the world.
HOW IMPORTANT IS MINDFULNESS TO REACH PEAK PERFORMANCE?
I perform my best when I have a positive, uplifting mindset.
HOW IMPORTANT IS BREATH TO REACHING PEAK PERFORMANCE?
Climbing taught be a lot about how my breathing can hurt or help me. When I breathe deeply and steadily, I feel the muscles in my neck loosen up and notice that I can execute moves more steadily.
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU ARE FEELING STRESSED OUT?
I ride or ski or trail run.
WHAT ARE YOUR STRONGEST CHARACTER TRAITS AND HOW DO THEY IMPACT YOUR PRODUCTIVITY AND/OR PERFORMANCE?
I truly believe that we can all achieve anything we believe. I've never been scared to try to climb or ski a big mountain. I love working on big goals, one chunk at a time.
WHAT DO YOU DO TO GET INTO THE ZONE?
When spending a big day in the mountains, I love having a good partner. Talking about uplifting ideas, and working through challenges makes me feel strong and motivated to keep moving.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR CURRENT PROJECT
Right now the project that I am the most excited about is calling "Growing a Skier", where I'm creating videos and blogs documenting how to raise a family of skiers. I believe that having a family does not need to stop your outdoor adventures but that instead, you can find ways to ENHANCE your outdoor adventures. Our topics cover everything from gear, playfulness, ski lessons, traveling, and most importantly how to keep your kids wanting to come back to the mountains for more.