How a Former Olympian Evolved Her Career Over Decades of Pro Snowboarding with Barrett Christy Cummins

For The Love Of: Trade-offs we make in pursuit of our passions

Pro athletes might look like they have ultimate freedom, but that lifestyle isn’t always what you think.

Barrett Christy Cummins began her snowboarding career in the early 1990’s as the sport was starting to gain mainstream attention. From 1993-2003, she competed at the highest level, filmed movie parts and commercials, and enjoyed the perks of sponsorship with some of the biggest brands in sports.

Barrett transitioned to roles in marketing and product development with her former sponsors after starting a family in 2004. 20 years later, she's launching into new challenges to stretch her vision and goals to new spaces.

We talk about:

• Creating lifestyle goals instead of professional goals
• Moving west and deciding to pursue snowboarding in South Lake Tahoe
• Getting into snowboarding before the X Games and pre-Olympic snowboarding
• How competing with the boys drove her to perform
• Competition vs. collaboration with other women in sport
• Expectations for female athletes: being camera-friendly and a brand ambassador
• Keeping the fun in your passion when your passion is work
• Barrett’s Olympic experience and what she wishes she did differently
• Getting injured and deciding to start a family instead of competing
• What it’s like to have a snowboarding trick named after you
• Working with brands to make better gear
• Pro snowboarding “provided far less freedom than you would imagine”
• Building financial literacy and being intentional with money

If you like snow sports, chatting about the Olympics, or digging into how to increase gender equity in sports, listen to Why Erika Vikander is Fighting for Gender Equality in Freeride Snowboarding and Women’s Sports.

Connect with Barrett:

• Instagram: instagram.com/barrettcc
• Website: barrettcc.com
• Financial services: camberwealthbuilders.com

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Shout-Outs:

-Music: The King of Sandwich Island by Shut-ins

-Thank you to The Ruins, the best wedding venue in Oregon, for supporting the show.

For full show notes and more: https://fortheloveofpod.com

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