It’s Festive Special time, and in this year’s episode I asked a few guests and friends of the pod to record a quick Voice Note outlining their highlights of 22 and their hopes for 23.
This went down a storm with listeners, so I thought it might be interesting to post the same question here on this Open Thread.
How was 22 for you? What are you hoping for from 23? Let’s hear it 👇
The biggest event for me in 2022 was selling one of the two businesses I co-founded with my wife. That has been a learning opportunity and also means I'm focused on one business - Like the Wind. At least for a while.
My theme for 2023 is: simplicity. I am trying to avoid distractions and keep dialled into a very short list of activities that will make the biggest difference to Like the Wind. Alongside that, I'm determined to get back to exercising regularly. This year I've really struggled to be active consistently and that has to change.
Hey Simon, thanks for commenting. This sounds really similar to how I’m feeling about 23 tbh. Being ‘busy’ and having opportunities is great, but it can be hard to find the balance, which I definitely struggled with this year.
I’m kinda referencing a recent Instagram post that I did, but the TLDR is; you can’t make vibes from ivory towers and shame never works.
In 2023 I’m hoping that we can accept the flaws in each other, see them for what they are and try and accommodate before hitting the accelerator. Building a better place, with looked after people and planet is going to take a lot of patience with each other. Not all of us know the up to speed lingo and vibes. And that can be daunting when inviting new people into the fold.
2023 is going to be full on policy, promises, pompous and pledges - these pieces of work are going to need to be engaged with by as many people and perspectives as possible, and solutions needing screamed by our community. But our volume will be created by size, by how many people we make feel welcome to shout along with us. Strength in numbers is going to be the aim of the game.
But we can’t build numbers, vibes, community, trust or strength from ivory towers. With all our rules, lingo and slick strutting.
Change is very rarely delivered by pile ons and is never ever delivered by shame. This is something our outdoor community must grasp if we’re going to move forward - as I witnessed both going on in 2022 by people with well meaning aims trying to hold people “accountable” for minor mistakes without them first integrating the persons intention, education, class, generation etc.
Calling in before calling out, even though it’s much harder emotionally has been way more impactful. This became so clear to me when I sent the British Cycling letter. Also recognising that not everyone is responsible for my reactions has been really helpful.
So heading into 2023 I hope we all recognise that we’re all flawed. See that in ourselves and be patient with others. To give each other a fucking break and make this movement to build a better place as fun and fulfilling as it can be. We can’t do it any other way.
I have to admit that I've always been a little sceptical of POW UK but the way the organisation reacted to the British Cycling debacle marked a change in my perception. It exuded confidence, cohesion and collectivism. I hope it provides a shining example to other organisations in 2023 and forms part of the bedrock of how POW will operate going forward.
They looked to be falling between multiple stools. Too big for grass roots change, not engaged enough with related UK businesses to effect change in that area and not an effective lobbying organisation like in the US or SAS is in the UK.
I didn't find the comms engaging or effective either.
Like I said though, it looks like the direction is changing and the org is more mature and confident.
2022 had some of the greatest achievements yet I'm ending the year unhappily. Part of it is depression and personal triggers that December brings, but when I think about my highlights-- winning the Db x LS fund, having my first poetry feature, an scoring an exclusive interview with a band-- they're times when I decided to do things for myself and decided that yes, I am qualified. Of course, I worked hard and I did need people to make these things happen, but I think I've been looking for support in order to believe in myself when I should be doing the reverse. People who believe in me will come if I put myself out there (as you and the Db team have shown).
I started 2022 feeling some guilt because I caught COVID after going to Dew Tour and somehow did not infect my partner or my parents. I recently listened to Chris Burkard's episode and he talked about filling your well. For me, it's kind of the opposite of what he talked about because while I am mostly a home body, I need a bit of adventure and snowboarding has become something that makes me the happiest. I don't want to be cavalier about the pandemic, but I think I need to go out more and snowboard more (one of my resolutions is to do more than just a single trip).
Talking to Jonathan has also made me realized that I can write a book so trying to put together a poetry chapbook is another item on my list. And of course, my project for the Fund. I'm so excited to get started with that!
This sounds like my December! It can be a lot eh? But as you say, exciting things afoot in 2023. Looking forward to working with you on your project, and of course you should definitely do the poetry book
Having spent the last week riding on and in rain, slush, mud and ice in the 3 Valleys, I hope that the historically awful conditions prompt a change in direction for the biggest ski resorts in the world.
It's 6 weeks until the world championships take place in Meribel and Courchevel. I'm sure I'm not alone in wondering if all the millions of €s of investment in race piste infrastructure couldn't have been better spent.
Creating a long term legacy with things like solar panels on lift stations, biodiversity protections, low carbon transport options, closed loop waste systems and other initiatives must surely be a better investment than a short term ego boost for a few individuals.
From a business perspective it creates more upheaval than it brings in clients. It's taking place during the busy half term weeks in February so beds are already likely to be filled and instructors booed.
Quite a bit of parking is closed (or will be soon) in both resorts which adds pressure to an already finite resource, especially during a busy period. On the Chaudanne in Meribel, there is a massive grandstand in place which makes access to the lifts and ski school meeting points trickier.
More than that there's a history of putting on events like this, then not following through with a legacy.
The MTB DH world cup in 2014 was a massive success but wasn't used as a launch pad for additional summer business.
The tarmac "col" they've built to the top of the Col de la Loze brings cyclists to the area but they're not stopping in resort and their's little opportunity for local business to exploit those numbers.
The TDF coming to town is great in terms of atmosphere but one or two days of visitors makes little difference overall.
The biggest event for me in 2022 was selling one of the two businesses I co-founded with my wife. That has been a learning opportunity and also means I'm focused on one business - Like the Wind. At least for a while.
My theme for 2023 is: simplicity. I am trying to avoid distractions and keep dialled into a very short list of activities that will make the biggest difference to Like the Wind. Alongside that, I'm determined to get back to exercising regularly. This year I've really struggled to be active consistently and that has to change.
Hey Simon, thanks for commenting. This sounds really similar to how I’m feeling about 23 tbh. Being ‘busy’ and having opportunities is great, but it can be hard to find the balance, which I definitely struggled with this year.
I’m kinda referencing a recent Instagram post that I did, but the TLDR is; you can’t make vibes from ivory towers and shame never works.
In 2023 I’m hoping that we can accept the flaws in each other, see them for what they are and try and accommodate before hitting the accelerator. Building a better place, with looked after people and planet is going to take a lot of patience with each other. Not all of us know the up to speed lingo and vibes. And that can be daunting when inviting new people into the fold.
2023 is going to be full on policy, promises, pompous and pledges - these pieces of work are going to need to be engaged with by as many people and perspectives as possible, and solutions needing screamed by our community. But our volume will be created by size, by how many people we make feel welcome to shout along with us. Strength in numbers is going to be the aim of the game.
But we can’t build numbers, vibes, community, trust or strength from ivory towers. With all our rules, lingo and slick strutting.
Change is very rarely delivered by pile ons and is never ever delivered by shame. This is something our outdoor community must grasp if we’re going to move forward - as I witnessed both going on in 2022 by people with well meaning aims trying to hold people “accountable” for minor mistakes without them first integrating the persons intention, education, class, generation etc.
Calling in before calling out, even though it’s much harder emotionally has been way more impactful. This became so clear to me when I sent the British Cycling letter. Also recognising that not everyone is responsible for my reactions has been really helpful.
So heading into 2023 I hope we all recognise that we’re all flawed. See that in ourselves and be patient with others. To give each other a fucking break and make this movement to build a better place as fun and fulfilling as it can be. We can’t do it any other way.
‘Calling in before calling out’ - words to live by 🙏
I have to admit that I've always been a little sceptical of POW UK but the way the organisation reacted to the British Cycling debacle marked a change in my perception. It exuded confidence, cohesion and collectivism. I hope it provides a shining example to other organisations in 2023 and forms part of the bedrock of how POW will operate going forward.
Where did that scepticism come from?
They looked to be falling between multiple stools. Too big for grass roots change, not engaged enough with related UK businesses to effect change in that area and not an effective lobbying organisation like in the US or SAS is in the UK.
I didn't find the comms engaging or effective either.
Like I said though, it looks like the direction is changing and the org is more mature and confident.
I’m just gonna fuckin do all the stuff I didn’t do last year.
Ah so you changed your mind about therapy
2022 had some of the greatest achievements yet I'm ending the year unhappily. Part of it is depression and personal triggers that December brings, but when I think about my highlights-- winning the Db x LS fund, having my first poetry feature, an scoring an exclusive interview with a band-- they're times when I decided to do things for myself and decided that yes, I am qualified. Of course, I worked hard and I did need people to make these things happen, but I think I've been looking for support in order to believe in myself when I should be doing the reverse. People who believe in me will come if I put myself out there (as you and the Db team have shown).
I started 2022 feeling some guilt because I caught COVID after going to Dew Tour and somehow did not infect my partner or my parents. I recently listened to Chris Burkard's episode and he talked about filling your well. For me, it's kind of the opposite of what he talked about because while I am mostly a home body, I need a bit of adventure and snowboarding has become something that makes me the happiest. I don't want to be cavalier about the pandemic, but I think I need to go out more and snowboard more (one of my resolutions is to do more than just a single trip).
Talking to Jonathan has also made me realized that I can write a book so trying to put together a poetry chapbook is another item on my list. And of course, my project for the Fund. I'm so excited to get started with that!
This sounds like my December! It can be a lot eh? But as you say, exciting things afoot in 2023. Looking forward to working with you on your project, and of course you should definitely do the poetry book
So many of my highlights of 2022 include you Matt!
For 2023 I’m hoping for more of the same - seeing new places, meeting new people and learning and improving my work along the way :)
Let's make a plan!
A niche hope for 2023.
Having spent the last week riding on and in rain, slush, mud and ice in the 3 Valleys, I hope that the historically awful conditions prompt a change in direction for the biggest ski resorts in the world.
It's 6 weeks until the world championships take place in Meribel and Courchevel. I'm sure I'm not alone in wondering if all the millions of €s of investment in race piste infrastructure couldn't have been better spent.
Creating a long term legacy with things like solar panels on lift stations, biodiversity protections, low carbon transport options, closed loop waste systems and other initiatives must surely be a better investment than a short term ego boost for a few individuals.
How thoroughly depressing. Is there much support for it locally?
Anecdotally I'd say not much.
From a business perspective it creates more upheaval than it brings in clients. It's taking place during the busy half term weeks in February so beds are already likely to be filled and instructors booed.
Quite a bit of parking is closed (or will be soon) in both resorts which adds pressure to an already finite resource, especially during a busy period. On the Chaudanne in Meribel, there is a massive grandstand in place which makes access to the lifts and ski school meeting points trickier.
More than that there's a history of putting on events like this, then not following through with a legacy.
The MTB DH world cup in 2014 was a massive success but wasn't used as a launch pad for additional summer business.
The tarmac "col" they've built to the top of the Col de la Loze brings cyclists to the area but they're not stopping in resort and their's little opportunity for local business to exploit those numbers.
The TDF coming to town is great in terms of atmosphere but one or two days of visitors makes little difference overall.