I’m a Midwestern girl born in Toledo and raised just outside of Dayton, Ohio. Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted to be an Olympian, I remember being glued to the TV as I watched every event and felt the nerves and anticipation of every athlete. My favorite part was that moment right before it all started; the moment where the athlete would stand up ready to face whatever lay ahead. I loved watching how these Olympians handled that one pivotal moment in their lives

and I was inspired. 

Everything changed when I was ten years old and my family moved to Aspen, Colorado where I climbed 14,000-foot peaks as part of my education, had “Avalanche Danger” days that kept me from going to school and where

I fell in love with snowboarding.

Snowboarding brought a sense of adventure, freedom, and creativity into my life.

I was hooked far before it was considered a sport, before it was even allowed on most mountain resorts, and definitely far before it was inducted into the Olympics. 

For 15 years I walked the line between the discipline and regimen it takes to compete on the world’s largest stage at the Olympics, while maintaining a free-spirited, creativity that is so much at the heart and soul of snowboarding. What I’ve learned is that the combination of these two seemingly opposing qualities is the secret to a balanced and fulfilling life.

ACCOLADES

Gretchen was the first athlete, male or female, to design her own signature collection with Oakley. It was her eco line, sourced from recycled and recyclable materials, that helped the global brand develop other sustainable products that you can find in their line today.

In the summer, Gretchen hosted her own signature session snowboard camps at High Cascade.  And she was the first action sports female to appear on the cover of ESPN The Magazine. She also penned a monthly column for ESPNW. 

 She’s been featured in everything from prime time talk shows and national commercials to hundreds of publications worldwide. Gretchen partnered with Yahoo Sports for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing as a color commentator and analysis.  And she created and hosted the all-women’s halfpipe event called THE SNOW ANGLES INVITATIONAL.

Now Gretchen’s speaking at conferences, corporations, schools, private events and doing one-on-one transformational coaching to help others get in touch with their WHY and practice the HOW to fuel their journey with joy.