Join guest host, Brooke “Shiny” Edwards in an intimate conversation exploring the literacy of loss through the different lenses of nervous system regulation and incident support as she takes a deep dive into the mental wellness toolbox with professional counselor and avalanche educator, Sydney Badger and Mountain Muskox board member and ski guide, Kim Vinet.  Sydney shares the importance of adventure-informed therapy and Kim asserts that our ski professional community needs to become literate in stress injuries, trauma, and loss.  Many resources are shared in our show notes for this episode and the conversation is a celebration of togetherness in community as we rally together to overcome the stigmas associated with mental health.  

Sydney Badger is a registered clinical counselor who runs her virtual private practice, Back to Earth Counseling. She started her career in counseling after identifying a need to support recreationists and professionals who experience trauma incidents. Sydney is passionate about adventure-informed therapy and is currently undergoing trauma training as a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner.
Before working as a counselor, Sydney worked in the outdoor industry as a ski coach, river guide, and backcountry chef. She remains active in the ski industry by coaching women on snow, teaching virtual workshops, and offering avalanche education through a nervous system lens.
Sydney's unique background and experiences enable her to connect with clients on a deeper level, particularly those who have experienced trauma in the context of adventure sports. She believes in the healing power of nature and encourages her clients to incorporate outdoor activities into their therapeutic journeys.

Kim Vinet returns for another interview on The Avalanche Hour with this conversation.  If you haven't heard it, check out her previous episode, 5.26. Kim is a CSGA Ski Guide, Professional Skier and Earth Scientist. Freeride skiing launched Kim into the world of backcountry skiing and education back in 2010. After a brief introduction to ski guiding professionally, Kim was involved in an avalanche fatality that changed the course of all 3 of her careers.  Kim is a board member of Mountain Muskox, an organization that provides safe, supportive, professional and peer-facilitated, group circles for anyone who has experienced loss or trauma in the mountains. Kim is also the founder of Affirmative Sustainability; a consulting company dedicated to reducing your corporate footprint and creating sustainable products.

Music: "I Dig You" and "Manwell" by Ketsa 

Links:
https://www.mountainmuskox.com/

https://www.responderalliance.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2hc2FLOdhI

Episode 7.17 Kim Vinet and Sydney Badger

On today's episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Kate Koons, a highly respected professional in the Avalanche industry. Kate is a resident of Victor, Idaho, and holds several critical positions in the field. She is a pro instructor for the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE), was the past A3 (American Avalanche Association) pro training coordinator, and currently serves on the A3 board of directors. Kate shares with us her fascinating journey, from her NOLS experience to her current work supporting the crew in Antarctica at McMurdo Station. She delves into the immense pressure that comes with such a role and shares with us valuable insights on self-care and the importance of taking much-needed breaks. As a leader in the industry, Kate sets an example by taking time to rest and unwind, all while remaining an active participant in the world around her. While she enjoys spending time with her furry companions, she is also passionate about immersing herself in diverse experiences, such as exploring Muslim culture in Pakistan.


Socials:
The Avalanche hour Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/theavalanchehourpodcast/ 
Guest - Kate Koons -  https://www.instagram.com/kkoons/?hl=en

Crew:
Host - Sean Zimmerman-Wall 
Sound Editor - Cameron Griffin - https://www.instagram.com/backcountrycam/


Sponsors for this episode:
Wyssen : https://www.wyssenavalanche.com/en/
6 Point Engineering - https://6pointeng.com/ 


Donate:
https://www.theavalanchehour.com/donate 

Music- Ketsa- Can’t Stop We, Boppin

7.19 Kate Koons

In today's episode, we're thrilled to host Melis Coady, who has just triumphantly wrapped up her 7th season as the executive director of the Alaska Avalanche School. With over two decades of experience in the challenging fields of mountaineering and avalanche studies, Melis has since emerged as a prominent figure in outdoor education, bringing her deep knowledge to roles such as a mountaineering instructor, climbing guide, and wilderness medicine instructor.

Making her home in Talkeetna, Alaska since the late 90's, Melis first navigated the intricate world of snow and avalanches through daring expeditions in Alaska. These experiences laid the groundwork for her career, leading to her role as a climbing instructor for the renowned NOLS and Alaska Mountaineering School. Her determination and expertise then propelled her to become a high-altitude mountaineering guide, amassing a formidable tally of ascents on Denali, Foraker, and countless other peaks.

Melis' adaptability and thirst for new challenges also led her to become a climbing ranger in Denali National Park, where she worked for four summers educating climbers, safeguarding natural resources, and serving as a vital member of a technical rescue team. This adventurous spirit even took her to the South Pole, where was working as an arctic guide for Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions.

In this enlightening episode, Brooke and Melis delve into what makes Alaska a uniquely potent and effective classroom for avalanche education. They also explore the intriguing use of the expedition format as a means of teaching formal avalanche courses. With her profound experience and relentless passion for outdoor education, Melis imparts invaluable insights into the world of mountaineering and avalanche safety, making this episode a must-listen.


Socials:
The Avalanche hour Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/theavalanchehourpodcast/ 
Melis - https://www.instagram.com/akavalancheschool/

Links: 
 Alaska Avalanche School - https://alaskaavalanche.org/

Sponsors for this episode:
Wyssen : https://www.wyssenavalanche.com/en/

Crew:
Host - Brooke Shiny Edwards - https://www.instagram.com/wildworldwanderings/
Executive Producer - Caleb Merrill
Producer - Cameron Griffin - https://www.instagram.com/backcountrycam/

Donate:
The Avalanche Hour Podcast - https://www.theavalanchehour.com/donate 
The American Avalanche Association  - https://www.americanavalancheassociation.org/donate 

Music: By Ketsa - https://ketsa.uk/
Intro: New Highs Old Lows
Music outro: Percussive Melodies 4

New tracks tagged #sheshreds