Pivotal moments, thinking differently and a desire to ski better | Demelza Interviews Tom Gellie

In this episode, my good friend Demelza Clay takes over the hosting duties to dive into my background and experiences. We kick things off by talking about my shift from ski instructing to studying body movement, inspired by a session with Claudia. This led me to explore structural integration therapy, which I started sharing with ski instructors, and it was amazing to see their movements and performance improve.

We also chat about how I started sharing content online through videos and how that has evolved over the years. Our conversation touches on the impact of timing and unique educational experiences, like my time at a Steiner school, on shaping our views in the ski industry. It's all about giving you a deeper understanding of how I blend skiing and bodywork.

Reflecting on my journey of seeking out-of-the-box learning experiences, we talk about the importance of following your curiosity and exploring different teaching methods. I share how I draw inspiration from various sources and stress the value of collaboration and continuous learning to refine my coaching techniques. Plus, I talk about my plans to create more focused instructional videos and improve my mogul skiing skills, with conversations with industry experts and launching this podcast being key parts of that.

We also discuss starting the podcast to share ideas, even though the audio quality was pretty rough at first. It's been a great way to broaden my understanding of the ski industry and appreciate diverse viewpoints. I emphasize the importance of goodwill when approaching others and how the podcast helps spread valuable information. Balancing free content with the need to generate income is a big topic, and I draw inspiration from industry leaders like Carve and those pushing technological boundaries in skiing. We even consider the idea of introducing beginner mogul runs and obstacle courses at resorts to enrich skiing experiences, encouraging skiers to embrace all aspects of skiing with intention and a focus on improvement.

Further into the discussion, we explore the benefits of skiing in varied conditions and how it can boost your skills. Mastering diverse techniques like moguls and bumps can really elevate your overall skiing. We stress the importance of ongoing learning and adaptation in skiing, trusting your body, and exploring resources like books and studies on body movement. Topics like footbeds, boot setups, and pattern recognition in skiing highlight the value of a holistic approach to skiing and making informed decisions to optimize performance.

00:00:00 Flipping the Chairs
00:01:09 A Break from Skiing
00:35:31 Shortening Video Content
00:38:35 Mogul Skiing Motivation
00:41:56 Starting the Podcast
00:51:42 The Power of Podcasts and Sharing Ideas
00:55:16 Enhancing Coaching with Technology
01:01:40 The Evolution of Online Ski Classes
01:02:37 The Importance of Mogul Skiing
01:06:19 Maximizing Skiing Enjoyment on Any Day
01:09:52 Using Legs as Shock Absorbers
01:14:10 Uncovering Hidden Insights in Skiing
01:16:06 Trusting Your Body in Skiing
01:17:27 The Importance of Ski Boot Setup
01:19:13 Recognizing Patterns in Skiing