SKIING IS WELLBEING

Kelsey Serwa Rey is a top skier, Olympic and World Champion, two-time winner of the legendary X Games, eight times she stepped on the highest podium of the World Cup. Without any doubt and hesitation, she can be called one of the best Ski Cross skiers of all time. But Kelsey is so much more than that. After finishing her career as a top athlete, she studied kinesiology and currently lives in Whistler, British Columbia, where she works as a physiotherapist. She is married to her longtime partner Stan Rey, who is also a skier. Kelsey is an overall satisfied and fulfilled person. She is a mindful and happy woman who looks forward to each new day with a smile on her face. Her energy radiates a unique combination of feminine tenderness and pleasantness. She is the embodiment of kindness. And skiing also has a lot of credit that she is such a wonderful human being. In this article, she explains her views of well-being and how they were influenced by her life-long dedication to sports and skiing.

The deepest, most meaningful friendships I’ve formed in life have been made in the mountains. From my youngest days of racing, until my final year on the Ski Cross circuit, I was surrounded by fun-loving girls who developed into strong, focused, resilient, and supportive women. As a collective, we pushed one another to climb to higher and higher levels of competition. We became more than friends, we were family. We witnessed each other's success and struggles and when times were tough, we lifted each other up. When times were golden, we celebrated our hearts out. Throughout the decades that have come and are yet to pass, our lives will forever be intertwined.  

The world of skiing also introduced me to my husband, Stan Rey. As he recalls, our first interaction was at 13 years old when he joined my friend Sandra and I on a chairlift ride. Stan says he thought we were disgusting as much of our chairlift chat centered around bowel movements. With skiing as a common denominator, we became great friends until one day our friendship blossomed into more. Sixteen years after that first chairlift ride, we were married.

The relationships formed through skiing have been extraordinary. Through triumphs and setbacks, laughter and tears, these bonds have withstood the test of time and distance, proving that skiing isn't just a sport—it's a way of life, shared with those we hold dear. The ski community has introduced me to people who have shaped my life in ways I never thought possible, and for that I am eternally grateful. 

Time in nature positively impacts mental health by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression while promoting calmness, relaxation, and well-being. Compared to urban settings, people who spend time in nature produce less of the stress hormone cortisol. Exposure to natural environments also correlates with improved mood, vitality, and cognitive function. Skiing offers a unique opportunity to experience mindfulness in motion. You can’t ruminate over work when focusing on the snow beneath your feet. Fixated on each turn, we can let go of everyday distractions to experience less stress and anxiety.

During my skiing career, I learned how the mind, when focused on the present moment, can overcome perceived limitations. In 2011 I won the X-Games by soaring 160 feet to the finish line, onto my butt. I compressed two vertebrae, bruised my tailbone, and suffered extensive soft tissue injuries in my back. Returning to snow felt impossible, but the World Championships were 7-days away.

It was everything I had to roll out of bed. Unable to train, I spent the next 6 days in bed or on a treatment table and watched hours of POV video. On Day 7 I felt my body scream as I bent down to do up my boot buckles, but once I stood in the start gate my brain blocked the pain signals from entering my consciousness. I could only focus on the current task: cross the finish line in the top 2. Miraculously, I won. 

Recreating outdoors provides an invaluable opportunity to let go of anything that is not serving you. In 2011, I let go of my back pain to focus on racing. In other circumstances, moving through nature might help us release trauma, anxiety, worry and doubt. Nowadays, skiing offers me a sanctuary of solace, a place where I escape the pressures of adult life and reconnect with myself, ski buddies and nature.

Mindfulness is about being fully present in the moment, without judgment or attachment to thoughts or emotions. It helps us develop a calm awareness of our feelings and the world around us, allowing us to face challenges with clear thoughts and intentions. Mindfulness mitigates anxiety, depression, and stress while boosting psychological well-being, attention, memory, and decision-making. Not confined to mental health, mindfulness enhances athletic performance too.

Mindfulness training offers a mental edge beyond physical prowess. Returning from a daunting injury, I struggled with self-doubt en route to the 2014 Olympics. Having consistently worked with a sport psychologist, I embraced the MAC Approach: Mindful, Accepting, and Committed. Mindful of my nerves and physical discomfort, I accepted these emotions without amplifying their influence. I was committed to executing my race plan in alignment with my personal values: resilience, perseverance, and self-belief. I kept my focus on how I wanted to ski each section of the course. This mindset, coupled with hard work and a little luck, became worthy of an Olympic silver medal. 

Integrating mindfulness into competition allowed me to optimize performance by cultivating present-moment awareness. Being mind-full rather than mindless provides mental health benefits, fosters resilience, and enhances cognitive function. By embracing non-judgemental awareness, individuals can transform their relationship with themselves and the world.

I experienced many highs and lows in sport, from leading the World Cup standings one moment, to sustaining a season ending injury the next. My confidence ebbed and flowed, shadowing these ups and downs. I felt uncertain returning to sport, but with exposure to more challenging situations, my confidence re-built as I proved I had the fortitude to persevere. 

The 2018 Olympics would be my final Games as I underwent a third knee surgery the previous season. Unlike previous returns from injury, I had a best friend and teammate by my side. Britt Phelan and I supported each other, leveraging our unique strengths for mutual success. Somewhat overlooked by competitors, we stayed focused on the micro improvements made each run to progressively build confidence in our skiing out of the limelight. 

The night before our Olympic race, I was running though confidence affirming exercises with my sport psychologist. She believed if I performed at 90% of my potential, I could very well land on the podium. I felt I could do better. My mindset had shifted from, “To win, I’m going to have to beat all these women,” to “If my competitors are to win, they’re going to have to beat me.” It was a subtle but impactful change in perspective. 

Standing at the gate, about to battle for the title of Olympic Champion, I felt confident and reassured to have Britt beside me. I knew we were capable of greatness, and it was only a matter of minutes before the World knew it too. We crossed the line 1st and 2nd, winning the Olympics! 

A prominent reality of the COVID-19 pandemic was the importance of social connectedness in fostering mental, emotional, and physical health.  

To be in public, hold the hands of loved ones making their celestial transfer, celebrate milestones, attend a fitness class, or go skiing was revoked overnight. As constraints eased, I felt weary of others yet yearned for guilt-free human contact. Despite pandemic easing, communities still grapple with overdose, mental health, homelessness, and healthcare strain.

I no longer take for granted unrestricted shopping, impromptu catchups, or enjoying local eats and après. I have a greater appreciation for in-person meetings, lectures, chairlift chats, and running into others while on dog walks with Baloo. These interactions, planned or spontaneous, are integral to our health and wellbeing. Individuals with strong social ties live longer, experience less depression and anxiety, and have faster recoveries following injury and illness. 

It permeates every aspect of our lives, enriching our experiences and enhancing our wellbeing. We feel its influence as we re-collect on the chairlift to share stories about that last epic run, or the thrill of making it down a line that had your anal sphincter puckering. It’s why skiing a day of icy, chunky conditions with friends can be more memorable than skiing a banger run alone. 

There are endless daily opportunities for social connection. For the best results, lean in.

Exercise offers many physical benefits: better bone density, muscle mass, performance, fast post injury recovery and reduced risk of disease. But do we equally appreciate its mental benefits?

Endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine released during exercise elevate mood, cognition and reduce stress. Additionally, physical activity lowers inflammation, oxidative stress, and improves cerebral blood flow, all of which contribute to the maintenance of a healthy brain.

Transitioning from athlete to physiotherapy student, I went from being very active to very sedentary. I experienced declines in my physical health and mental well-being. I felt tired, worn out, stressed and sluggish. It was hard to concentrate. The longer I denied my body of movement, the busier my schedule felt. I had to re-incorporate exercise, so I devised a plan that was specific, measurable, action-based, realistic, and timely. I set out to run 20km per week for one year. 

Running was appealing because I could go out with Baloo and get in a good workout with little planning. Initially, I was motivated by the goal but over time I strived to complete my loops faster times. I started sleeping better, retained information more seamlessly, had more energy and generally felt happier. 

To incorporate exercise into your life, find what works for you. Stay consistent in your efforts and you too can reap the physical and mental health benefits. 

Kindness offers a myriad of benefits for the giver and receiver and includes being friendly, generous, and considerate to others and oneself.

Psychologists Dunn et al. gave $5 or $20 to participants who were instructed to spend the money on themselves or someone else. Those who spent the money on others, regardless of the amount, were significantly happier than those who spent the money on themselves. 

Kindness lowers blood pressure by releasing stress-reducing neurotransmitters, enhancing social support, activating the parasympathetic nervous system, and reducing inflammation. These pathways promote relaxation, reduce stress, and maintain healthy blood pressure, optimizing cardiovascular health.

Self-compassion involves treating yourself with the same kindness you would offer a friend. It includes giving yourself the space to make mistakes, accept where you’re at, and to have the patience and persistence to strive towards your goals. Embracing failure, engage in positive self-talk, validate your emotions, surround yourself with people who make you feel whole, set boundaries, learn to say no, and seek support in times of need.

We engage in daily acts of kindness, often without realizing the impact made on the recipient or ourselves. These acts, often small in nature, have far-reaching effects. Kindness towards others perpetuates a cycle of giving, making our world a better place. Self-kindness gives you the best opportunity to achieve excellence.

For two years, I’ve partnered with Big White Ski Resort and Elan Skis to host a Women’s Ski Day. Coinciding with International Women’s Day, this event is about women supporting women through an all-inclusive ski day; every dollar raised goes to the Kelowna Women’s Shelter. 

Ski groups were guided by an all-star crew of fierce females who shared secret spots, encouraged participants to explore beyond their comfort zones, and helped build confidence and community. Lasting bonds were forged as we hooted and hollered through the trees, shared food, sipped on bubbles, chatted on chairlifts, and reminisced about our favorite moments. To add to the delight, participants had exclusive access to demo the entire W Studio fleet.

Following a thrilling day on the slopes, we settled on mats for a restorative yoga session, reconnecting with our breath and body. This year, we were blessed to receive support from many local, female owned/ operated small businesses who contributed items to a silent auction. Participants were also entered to win a pair of Ripstick Black Edition 94. Tension built as the winning ticket was read, one agonizing number at a time. The winner was elated!