On new adventures, self-defense and saving the world

As autumn started to turn into winter I had to come to terms with the fact that COVID once again may wreak havoc on the skiing season. You may remember that over the last decade I spent almost all winter seasons working as a ski instructor. A job I absolutely love.

Austria once again went into a 3-week lockdown and yet another COVID variant has appeared on the scene. Right now it is anybody’s guess whether the upcoming winter season will be a real skiing season.

So instead of returning to the ski school, I decided to cast around for another winter season job.

New adventure

When I moved to Austria in 2010 I started out as mountain hiking guide a.k.a. mountain leader. I also started a small business managing other people’s holiday properties.

That first winter I spent much of my time on skis when I wasn’t busy managing those properties.

Since then I spent one winter as a taxi driver and all other ones as a ski instructor.

The summers were spent guiding people among mountains while having conversations — often coaching conversations.

Over the years I’ve combined all these activities because they enable me to live life my way. I also do them because I really enjoy them.

This winter I’ll be adding another activity to the combination.

I’ll finally put the bus driver’s licence I got before I left the Netherlands to good use. This winter season I’ll steer a ski bus up and down mountains.

On mindfulness in self-leadership

When, upon returning to Ireland after 12 years in the Far East, Grattan Donnelly bought a training franchise, it set him on a lifelong path in people development. Specialising in leadership and management development, Grattan qualified as an Executive Leadership Coach in 2006. 

After experiencing burnout in 2010, he began practising mindfulness and discovered the role of mindfulness in self-leadership.

Together we have a conversation on episode 37 about the importance of mindfulness in self-leadership.

On self-defense in the outdoors and life

Nicole Snell had a successful career in the entertainment industry but then switched to leading workshops on self-defence in life and the outdoors. How and why?

Check out my conversation with absolute badass Nicole in episode 38 as we talk about her own journey and how self-defense gives people the confidence to go into the outdoors.

On semi-retirement, climbing and parkour

Craig Constantine and I have a wide-ranging conversation touching upon working in IT, the Appalachian Trail, hiking, climbing and parkour as well as all lessons we can learn from them.

Discover how her life unfolded when she did in episode 39.

 On social entrepreneurship and saving the planet

When Anne Bland left politics, she didn’t stop being passionate about social entrepreneurship and changing the world. She continued to use that passion for good.

 On episode 40 Anne and I talk about social entrepreneurship and how businesses and individuals can contribute to changing the world — not only for humanity but for Nature and the planet.

As always …

Go dare greatly!

— Gerdi