Genpo Roshi is pulling up the stick on Big Mind and who can use the name of his trade marked dialog in their advertising. Therefore I have taken off all mention of Big Mind on my web site, per his request. It will feel odd not giving him credit for this amazing tool- which is a combination of Voice Dialog and Zen- and I also understand it is dear to him and he doesn’t want others use of it to take away from his legacy. I remain a student of his and will continue my training as usual.

On my web site, I will be calling it Persona/ Voice Dialog instead- which is language used to describe the process based on the work of Gay and Katie Henricks (persona) and Hal and Sidra Stone (voice dialog). I bow to them and Roshi for their incredible breakthroughs in developing this amazing process. It is an honor to use it for these clinics and it is alarmingly effective for sports training.

Earlier this week I had the great honor and privilege to go sky diving with the US Special Forces-the Golden Knights, in North Carolina. My tandem partner, Michael Elliot, is the top of his rank. He was the tandem partner for George Bush Sr. for both of his jumps as well, including the one made on his 85th birthday. Turns out my parachute was the chute also used for that birthday jump. Me and the Pres Baby!

On this trip, Chris Sacca of Twitter and I also got to spend an hour in the best wind tunnel in the world, with the worlds best skydivers and wind tunnel riders that exist. A whole hour of flying, including watching these brilliant athlete’s show off- was one of the highlights of my life.

My athletic and now mindset coaching career has allowed for me to have such a magical life- full of opportunities like this. Regarding the Military- I’ve also flown in an F16 with the Blue Angels (Navy) and an F16 with the Air Force, and two years ago I was hired by the Air Force to mindset coach the academy in a week long series of talks for their National Character and Leadership Symposium. The cumulative of all these incredible events with the US Military has left me in awe of our country and what we are as a people.

The man that trained me and Chris for our tandem jump left his 2 year old son and very pregnant wife the next morning to spend a year in Afghanistan. A year. He gave us this amazing experience then left his family for a year. I sit at home now with my adorable husband and amazing life and career, and bow in reverence to people’s choices and beliefs. We’re all in this together, impacting each other in ways we can only imagine.

Thanks for the ride, all of you.

‘Ski to Live’ is not a cancer survivor ski program, but ‘STL for Survivors’ IS! Coming in March- yes indeed a ski event specifically for survivors and friends. Here’s what an alumni wrote about her cancer with regards to skiing. Her name is Abby and I love her:

While going through chemo, I had these intense flashes of the mountains when deep in meditation. They would spark, uninvited, and by all means, they were not sought on a conscious level. Yet, the body knew the mind needed to heal with the aid of the mountains, and the medium necessary to make it happen: skis.

Born in Colorado, but not born on skis. Some of my first ventures in the snow were at a young age, the main intent was to have fun, to experience the world and Dad was usually involved in all antics. Dad would pull me along side the road when there was enough snow, and the family dog would follow, a Fox Wire Terrier named Asta. Asta’s love of the snow was unequivocal to all of us, she would burry her snout, convinced things lurked beneath the snow, as a terrier and family protector; it was her duty to find them. After the sled was out grown, cross-country skis were added. I admired the grace my dad had while on skis, while over six feet tall, and with his full beard, he looked like the skis were made for him- and thus my love affair began.

On my back, forced out of work, forced to take medications causing the body to  fight internally, my mind went to the mountains. There was healing to be found there, cancer had left a skid mark, but skiing held a deeper skid mark in my heart.

Was in Antarctica for the last two weeks- coaching the intersection of Zen and Sports- Mindset Sports Training, off a boat- while skiing. Glad to be home but WOW, what a surreal, stunningly beautiful trip that was. I have now skied all seven continents. North and South America, Australia/New Zealand, Asia, Africa Europe and Antarctica. Wonder if I’m the first women to do so? A man on our boat fell into a crevasse day two and broke his tib/fib (his leg). Crazy times trying to get him home- 24 hour boat ride then I hear a 4 hour flight without heat in a plane with no one who spoke English. The skiing was fantastic and it’s not very cold down there- at least not when the sun was out! 3/4 of our boat full of skiers burned their faces so badly by the sun they blistered. Ouch. I didn’t get burned but I had to work hard at hiding. I think Antarctica is the most beautiful place on earth.

Hi and wow, Zen and Sports fans. I’m about to embark on a boat to teach mindset to athletes in Antarctica. Tomorrow. It’s my job and I love it. Looks like I’ll be working with Athletes Performance in the future too (google them, they are very cool). But until then; Skiing. Climbing, Big Mind. Is my life. In Ushuaia Argentina. Amazing little town. Boat is sitting in the harbor- about 300 feet long, ready to go. What a crazy journey this will be. Good people. Good food. Great views. And a whole lotta cool insights to be discovered. I am in peace. And excited about the skiing.

Got me a mindset coaching gig on a ski mountaineering trip to Antarctica. Leaving Tuesday.  I’ll be facilitating Big Mind and other neato teachings every day on the boat and skiing and climbing my little butt off. And trying not to step too deeply in the massive amounts of Penguin poop that lace the shores (good luck). Gonna bring some goood sunblock (thanks Kinesys’s!) my new avy transceiver from Mammut and wear a lot of pink and red (very Zen?!)

I’ll be gone for over two weeks and not have email or phone contact that entire time. Bye Bye then.

PS. (of it all- the boat, the critters, the astounding location, the view, the athleticism, the cool people, the adventure of it all- I’m most excited about the Zen.)

Ski to Live based in Utah is ready to go again. It’s just about winter and there’s no better time to sign up for a ski camp- especially one as unique and wild as Ski to Live.

The Farmer’s Almanac is predicting a phenomenal year and I want you to get a taste of Utah through Ski to Live. Forget instruction. Instead let’s create a staggering adventure together…

Through my unique private coaching events in skiing and other sports (golf, biking, climbing, race car driving and more). A Zen Spiritual Coach, former World Class Professional Skier and extreme athlete, I combine all of my experience and share them in what I term “Life Sports Coaching.”

My cat’s been missing for 3 months and now he’s home. I’m having an out of body experience. Apparently he’s been homeless and begging for food this whole time. He’s back just in time for winter too. Relieved. He’s a very special and unique cat that is very present and quite the character. A lot of people were upset he was missing. Me of course- the most.

I have been wild with my journey into marriage, a honeymoon, a new house, a trip to NYC and Burning Man and facilitating several events. Just did a business event for 14 folks in the Insurance business this past week and have a 6 person golf event on Sunday. My job is such a wild ride. Almost got smashed on my bike the other day. Downhill on an 8% grade super fast and a kid in a Subaru pulled out from a stop sign 20 feet in front of me, I slammed the brakes, started fish tailing and at around 40mph I went around him and shot the gap between him and another car which was coming uphill in the opposite direction. He caught up with me at a stop light down the hill, was hesitant to roll his window down but did and I mentioned “You know you almost killed me back there.” He said sorry. I’m certain he was very very stoned, as was his friend- a girl- in the passenger seat, and I have fantasies he will take this as a sign to stop getting high. One can dream

Love -KU

So much has happened in the last couple of weeks.

We are now the official owners of our new home. First time in 14 years I’ve moved.  A new home was something that I had not planned on finding or even looking for until after the wedding, but when it’s right, it’s right. We plan on hiring a half dozen movers to save our backs and souls.

The countdown to the wedding is 3 days away and I am surprisingly not too stressed.  This has been such a magical time for me and I have been trying to take it all in. I am marring such a great guy. Costa Rica for the honeymoon.

Upon my return I have a high school reunion waiting for me as well as a trip to Burning Man.  Maybe after that, I can finally breath normally.

Love

KU