Posts tagged Columbia

I’ve basically already talked about this a couple weeks ago, but just the other day I realized I glossed over something that deserves more attention. Being chosen as one of Columbia Sportswear Inaugural #Omniten.  (What’s #omniten?  Find out here.)

Back in late 2011 I won a jacket and base layers from Columbia through twitter. I always want to share my views on products and brands I believe in so I went ahead and did a few blog posts about what was sent to me.  Columbia never asked me to do this nor did I expect anything in return for sharing my thoughts.  In early 2012 I received an email from Columbia asking to speak with me via phone.  I was stoked but had absolutely no idea why they’d want to speak with me.  It was during this conversation that the idea of #Omniten was discussed.  They explained that it was in the early stages of planning, gave me a few vague details, but wanted to know if I would be interested if it came to fruition.  I couldn’t say, “Yes!” fast enough.  Knowing that there was a 50/50 chance of it actually occuring, I didn’t get my hopes up.  And then it happened.

In early March 2012 I received my first box of goodies and accepted my place among Columbia’s Inaugural #Omniten.

Over the next 6 months  I acquired some amazing gear (including a GoPro), was whisked off to Sedona for their 2013 Spring Preview, was present when they revealed Project Z as their new technology Omni-Freeze Zero, rubbed elbows with some of Columbia’s head honchos (and didn’t even know it until I was well into my conversation….ha!), sat among some of the best magazine editors, practiced a little vortex yoga, and hiked into the Grand Canyon with 20 people I had met only 48 hours before.

To say the whole experience with Columbia has been life changing is an understatement. The gear has been absolutely rad, but in reality it comes down the experience and the people. I was told by one of our Grand Canyon guides that my life would be forever changed.  Little did I know he would be right.  It was out there in the Arizona heat that I realized there was so much more to life.  I literally went home and told D, “We have to move.”  And so we did.

The inaugural #omniten season officially wrapped in mid-late 2012 signaling it was time to make room for a new crew.  However, it wasn’t the end, only the beginning.  New adventures await and I can’t wait to see where they take us.

Photo Credit Will Rochfort

I have no idea why I was chosen to be part of the #Omniten. No idea whatsoever.  What I do know, is that it happened for a reason. The experience brought out of me something I never knew existed and lit a fire in my life. And for that I am truly grateful. If you would’ve told me in during my initial phone conversation with Columbia, just a year ago, that I’d be where I am, doing what I’m doing, I’d say you were crazy. And yet, look where I am.

Columbia took a chance on something that they didn’t know would be successful.  In the end it has proven to be successful, and it’s pretty kick ass to say that I was part of the inaugural #Omniten crew.  Thank you Columbia for choosing me and proving that some of the best results come from taking a chance.

Keep Smiling and Be Grateful =)