Rotating Motivations

Chasing 30,000 Vertical Feet

I’ve set an aggressive goal: dropping in for several days of ~30,000 vertical feet of snowboarding from a helicopter in Alaska this February. For an advanced snowboarder, this might not be such a big deal. But for me, with only a few years of experience, it’s ambitious—borderline daunting.

I’ve done a lot to prepare, but I keep coming back to one simple truth: the single metric that seems to matter most is time on the mountain. To optimize for this, I’ve had to juggle several motivations, switching between them to stay focused and keep grinding.

The Joy of Progression

There’s a special kind of joy in progressing—mastering something that once felt impossible. Each run builds on the last, and what was once hard and uncomfortable becomes second nature. That feeling keeps me coming back.

The Satisfaction of Mentoring

Helping others improve has become a surprising motivator. Whether it’s giving tips to friends or encouraging someone through their first tricky run, mentoring adds another layer of meaning to my time on the mountain. It’s a reminder that growth isn’t just personal—it’s communal.

Setting an Example

This goal is also about setting an example for my family. Whether it’s showing my kids what dedication looks like or inspiring the next generation to embrace challenges, it’s important to me to demonstrate that improvement is always possible with effort.

Healthy Competition

The Slopes app has been a game-changer in keeping things interesting. Competing with friends for metrics like “Most Vertical Feet in a Day” or simply trying to beat my own stats from last season keeps me pushing harder. It’s a playful but effective way to stay motivated.

Nerding Out on Gear

I’ve also found motivation in diving into the technical side of snowboarding. Dialing in my boot fit, experimenting with different boards, and learning about gear has added a fun, nerdy dimension to the journey.

Lessons for Startups

The parallels between this snowboarding journey and the marathon of building startups are impossible to ignore. Both require finding ways to stay engaged, cycling through different motivations, and sometimes even inventing new ones. Whether it’s competing with peers, striving for personal bests, or finding joy in the process, it’s all about keeping the fire alive.

February is approaching fast, and I’ve still got work to do. But the grind is part of the reward, and I’m looking forward to every step—and every run—on the way there.