Celebrating International Women's Day!

There are so many women in my life who have helped me learn, grow, and succeed over the past 50 years. I try to honor them at every turn, but in recognition of International Women’s Day let me take a moment to share my gratitude out loud.

I have to start with my mom. She raised two boys alone while moving from job to job and dozens of different living situations during the 16 years I lived with her. Even now, she still sends me texts saying “I love you” every chance she gets. I love you, too, mom. You taught me how to have a generous heart.

My grandmother comes next. She was a fierce entrepreneur who brought us together as a family so many times before she died in 1981. I’ll never forget how hard she worked for her business and her family every day; it still inspires me.

During my years traveling the globe as a cyclist, there were many amazing mothers who took me in, fed me, taught me their native languages, and inspired me to keep racing even when times were tough. I thank them for their generosity, teaching, and caregiving. One woman that truly inspired me was Dana Hougland. I lived with her and her husband Bill McCune before leaving to Europe in 1990. Dana helped me finish high school, taught me so many things, and gave me life lessons I will never forget.

After I quit bike racing in 1994, I crossed paths with so many amazing female bosses, mentors, and colleagues who shaped my career in finance. Here’s to you Evelyn Carter, Sarah Dunn, Andrea Anastasio, Jean Hynes, Laurie Gabriel, Sara Ogiony, Sophia Rossato, Cynthia Franks, and Margie Morrison. You helped an ambitious young man learn the importance of collaboration, creativity, and grace.

After leaving finance and starting MapMyFitness, I was extremely fortunate to partner with so many inspirational women who helped me grow the business. We couldn’t have sold it to Under Armour without their contributions, and we couldn’t have continued succeeding at UA without their sage input. The world of connected fitness is better today for the work of Danielle Quatrochi, Liz Wilson, Mette Lykke, Kerry Chandler, Jen Smith, Susie McCabe, Adrienne Lofton, Mary Wittenberg, Jasmine Maietta, Diane Pelkey and so many others. I thank you for your vision, leadership, and innovation. Danielle Quatrochi and Liz Wilson are again helping me build here at Outside.

At Helix, I worked with some of the most brilliant female minds in science, from our lab operations team to our research teams to our executive group. And it’s my good fortune to still be working with some of the best and brightest from Helix today here at Outside, among them Jade Curtis, Adrianne Paulsen, Grace Daniele, and Asha Maskiell Demarsh. Keep pushing me to be better, you four! I need your help everyday. I'll add a few special shout outs for Deena Bahri and Sarah Bobulsky.

In addition to these amazing women, I have new team members at Outside who’re expertly steering the ship as we attempt to build a transformative new model. I’m so excited to partner with Christina Halliday, Amy Barnett, Sharon Houghton, Susan Morey, Andrea Kupfer, Amy Thompson, Sarah Lawton, and all of the emerging female leaders here at Outside who are fighting for this company and brand. And to my heroes in the Outside community, the athletes, influencers, and partners who’ve graced the covers and pages of our magazines, I salute you. These images attached to this post have inspired millions to lead healthier, more adventurous lives; thank you for sharing your achievements with us.

There are also amazing women I have been honored to served on boards, share investments with, and partnered with on projects, and of course spent time in YPO with including Melanie Strong, Melanie Allen, Breanne Everett, Anne Rohosy, Carol Nelson, Charlotte Guyman, Lisa Nelson, Tamara Hills, ?Robyn Fischer, Diane Tavenner, Natalie Gordon, Delynn Copley and so many others that inspire me everyday.

I’m sure I’ve missed dozens if not hundreds of incredible women who deserve recognition, but I cannot forget the three most important women in my life, the ones who mean more to me than food, air, water, even (yes) cycling. My two daughters, ages 5 and 10, are incredible women who teach me everyday as much as I try to teach them. If you’re reading this post somewhere in the future, my dears, know that we are teammates in life and that I will always be there for you.? And to my #1, Sara, you are the smartest, fiercest, most empathetic, caring, curious, and ethical person I’ve ever met. Day in and day out, you show me and everyone around you how to walk through the world with grace, dignity, and a fierce determination to do the right thing. I don’t always live up to the standard you set, but you inspire me to try. Quite simply, I would not be the person I am without you.?

Today, I want to celebrate Sara, my daughters, and every other woman on the planet. And I especially want to salute the extraordinarily courageous mothers, wives, daughters, aunts, sisters, and grandmothers who are braving the crisis in Ukraine.?

Here is to all of you on #InternationalWomensDay. ?