We had the good fortune of connecting with Adam Heimerman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Adam, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Risk is scary, but vital to have chance in breaking away from always working for someone else. I gave myself opportunities by taking risks.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I only work a normal job because I cannot work my passionate one all year. I found it when I was 28 and have worked seasonal jobs following white water. During the winter, I run my own service business in a resort town. Since I am resourceful, I have found ways to make money with property I am currently renting to own. To save money, I learn skills to pay myself in place of spending time and money paying someone else.

There are so many ways to have an income without having a boss if you posses the drive to pursue of them.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Week long road trip in early June.

First we travel to the Royal Gorge and smash through Class V rapids to wake him up from the plane ride. We grab lunch and head upstream to Buena Vista, to catch and evening trip through Brown’s Canyon on the Arkansas River. Have dinner and drinks at the Riverside Hotel with some live music.

We wake up to the radiating Collegiate Peaks and head into Leadville for the morning and Breckenridge for the evening.

The next morning we take a trip down the Upper Colorado river, a classic spot for recreational boaters. After a nice 15 mile row through the scenic river valley, we head to my house in Granby, overlooking the Fraser River Valley.

The next day we can spend spotting elk and moose in the Rocky Mountain National Park, only 35 minutes from Granby. Make it a round trip and cook out on my deck.

We head to Idaho Springs and run the Clear Creek Canyon while the water rages. I guide a trip to show him what my day job looks like compared to his and catch a beer and big meal at Tommy Knockers before hitting the road into Denver.

On the last day, we take a trip down to MeowWolf and explore the city into the nightlife.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Honestly, people from all walks of life along the way deserve some kind of credit to shape me into who I am. Not every one was positive, but I used the lessons to work towards where I want to be.

Instagram: @RaftGuideLee

Youtube: @raftguidelee

Image Credits
Rapid Image Photography, Wet Planet

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.