We had the good fortune of connecting with Philippe Marquis and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Philippe, how do you think about risk?
Growing up with older siblings, it wasn’t long before I embarked in a “risk seeking journey” in order to simply keep up with them. In my youth, I felt like I had to prove myself and show that even with our age difference, and my small stature, that I could always tag along for the ride… sometime with the help of my mother who would raise her voice in the background: “include your little brother in your games”!
Often time, we tend to attach a pejorative etiquette to the “risk takers” that surround us. Taking risks certainly comes with a fair share of potential upsides and downsides. But, at the end of the day, I’ve always believe that you need to turn situations that involve a certain amoung of risks into opportunities. Otherwise, you constantly reduce your potential growth. You find yourself swimming against the current or worst, getting stuck. Don’t get me wrong, risk taking has to be somewhat calculated. Heading head first into to unknown without any concept of the potential outcomes would be foolish, but even if the risk might set you up for failure, some king of learning experience, I’m all about it!
Throughout my Freestyle skiing career, I faced many challenges. Some smaller than others, but many where I could have decided to put an end at my career without chasing that coveted finish line, the Olympics. Facing fears, taking risks, challenging myself were many ways for me to elevate my “game” to the next phase, the next level. Ultimately, taking calculated risks became more or less a strategy to develop a growth mindset, one that would allow me to open the door to optimism versus negativity. One that I would become accustomed to, and that would help me go over the failures with a richer experience, more maturity.
Everyone has their own way to deal with risks. There’s nothing wrong with a conventional lifestyle or career. That being said, I like to think that the unconventional path hide some gems and can expose new bundaries that would have stayed hidden within each of us if it wasn’t for pushing through some risky situations How many times do we find ourself face with the thoughts “what if…” Taking a leap of faith with the right attitude is often time the only reason that holds us back. I often ask myself: “what if I had never try to fit in my older siblings and gone out of my way to push my limits as a kid?” Today, I’m glad I did! It paved the way for my success in skiing, and it set me up to move to Colorado, into the unknown, to share my passion with the next generation of Freestyle skiers.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
– Ski & Snowboard Club Vail Freestyle Head Coach – 2 x Olympian (Team Canada – Freestyle moguls)
– Canadian Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission
– Protect Our Winters Canada Athletes’ Ambassador
– Green Sport Day Canada Committee
– Bachelor in Business Administration
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
You don’t come to Colorado without spending a few days in the mountain!
– I’d kick things of in the Breckenridge area and get a full mountain tour to get the legs warmed up and acclimatize to the altitude. Off course, you want to finish on main street for a nice “apres-ski”.
– Next, I’d go to Araphahoe Bassin. This smaller local resort offer some steap terrain and you can get into “send mode” without huge crowds.
– I’d make my way up to Vail for a nice dinner in Vail Village and hit the slope the next day (mid week would be a great timing).
– On the 4th and 5th day, I’d take it to a 10th mountain hut trip to get immersed in the wilderness of the Rockies.
– I’d finish things up in Aspen for a fun evening out and a good ski town party.
– I’d wrap the trip in Denver for a “breath catcher” and cap it off with an Avalanche hockey game (what can I say, I’m Canadian after all).
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