Simplicity.
It seems like in the world of chaos, my life is like the ocean on a dark stormy day. Between traveling, training, competitions and my own personal progression, I’m constantly craving more simplicity. But isn’t the word more, already the opposite of simplicity? Simplicity is less. Less of anything, makes it more simple.
When we are on the ground, our days consist of running around, planning, dreaming, moving, rigging, taking down, packing up, packing in…
When we are in the mountains, life is so simple. Survive. Eat, sleep, move. Rest, go, nourish.
Wouldn’t it be nice to bring some of that down to our home sometime?
My name is Alenka and I’m a competitive freeride snowboarder, splitboarder and I enjoy surfing, BASE jumping and climbing as a compliment to my lifestyle.
I’m inspired to live through sports that make me feel both alive and connected to Mother Earth. Snowboarding, surfing, and climbing are to me just a form of self-expression. Being in the mountains means freedom. Freedom to roam, explore, and define myself.
Being that much closer to nature, I’m surrounded by like-minded people, who have inspired me to do better, and be the change I want to see in the world.
I grew up with 3 brothers, in a naturally very competitive environment. Both of my parents made their own marks in the world of alpinism, yet they always included us on their trips, expeditions and training. We spent our summers in Argentinian Patagonia, and the rest of the year roaming around popular European climbing spots.
I left my mother’s nest early in life and moved to Canada, searching for something different. I can’t tell you exactly what my dream was when I was 16, but I wanted to inspire. I saw a world full of chaos that needed change. Nature has been suffering for way too long, women in sports were not getting treated equally, respect was not given, where respect was due. It seemed like greed had taken over, and there wasn’t enough empathy in the world. I saw all those things, with my innocent young eyes through traveling and seeing the world, learning about different cultures and the sports that grew close to my heart. I was inspired. My heart was full of rage, angst that pushed me in sports, drive that motivated me forward! I wanted to do something about it, I just didn’t know what?
It felt like a switch, new wind blowing in my direction. I realized something very simple. All I have to do is to live a purposeful life and make an impact, doing what I love. It turned everything around for me. I started focusing on micro-actions, on a macro scale. How can my day-to-day choices and lifestyle decisions contribute to my higher self and eventually, a better world. By being conscious, those actions and steps towards my goals became more meaningful. Therefore my life’s purpose revealed itself to me, without even trying.
Over the years of trying new things, failing, succeeding, failing more and trying again.. I’m a firm believer that I always have to work hard for anything I want to achieve in life. Deep within us, we are all aware of what we should and shouldn’t do to be happy. We can always feel motivated and powerful enough to create and attract anything we desire.
So I started doing. I organized beach clean ups in Bali, where I spent a few months of each year, surfing before the winter season. I held workshops in schools about plastic pollution and climate change. I organized night local’s markets because I wanted people to have a place where they can listen to live music and buy local goods at night, rather that sit in a bar and drink. I donated my time and resources to charities, designed websites for free, took photos, spread the word, offset my carbon footprint each year by planting trees… When I started competing and diving deeper into the world of backcountry, first descents and first female lines were achieved as a side effect of ultimately just doing what I loved. And soon after, messages from other girls rolled in, about how inspired they felt, watching my journey. I thought hmm,.. That is the feeling my mother gave my whole life, and other powerful female role models.
Who can I continue to be exactly that, for those who need it?
To see the change I want to see, I just need to be me, and the rest will follow. Make some noise, and people will listen. To this day, I am sometimes still questioned and doubted on my path, being far from traditional. I’m proud of my journey, even though it may be different. As a women in male-dominated sports I learned to have thick skin and hold my chin up high, sometimes even hold in those tears from running down my cheeks. You need to work extra hard, to prove yourself as a woman. It’s OK, I’m not here to cry about it. But I will call it like it is.
My newest sponsor, is the inspiration behind this post. I found out about Branwyn because I simply LOVE merino wool products and I always use them for sports as well as for comfy lazy days. But what I found out later, is just how inspiring the owners are, and how determined they are in seeing the same change in the world, that I wanted to see.
I feel very honored to be representing the brand. The products themselves are probably the best I have ever tried, but the brand is what truly matters! In this day and age, we have a very powerful ability to vote with our dollars. Where our money goes, it thrives. It is not about buying big, and all the time. It becomes more about spending the hard earned money for the right thing, towards a vision that you believe in.
Stoked to be here.
Alenka
Cover photo by: Julie ~ Dakini Arts
