Meet Sarah Seibold | Skater & Ice Cross Racer

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

Hi Sarah, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
Risk, for me, isn’t about chasing danger – it’s about stepping into uncertainty with intention. I’ve never been drawn to a path that’s linear or predictable, and that means I’ve had to get comfortable making decisions without guarantees.

In Ice Cross, for example, risk shows up in every race – not just physically by way of the technical course or the speed, but in the decision to show up giving 100% effort. You often travel far internationally for a single weekend, unsure of the conditions, the competition, or how your body will hold up. You’re committing to a high-stakes environment that demands total presence. And even when the outcome is uncertain – especially when it is – you show up anyway. It’s a different kind of risk: trusting yourself when nothing is promised.

With wild ice, the risk is more nuanced. Conditions change constantly; no two days are the same, and no sheet of ice is ever guaranteed. Deciding when and where to skate means learning to read subtle signs in the ice, the weather, the terrain. You’re constantly evaluating and re-evaluating. There’s risk in trusting your instincts, in venturing further, in turning back. But the reward of gliding over perfect glass is unlike anything else.

Taking risks has taught me how to think clearly under pressure, how to move forward with incomplete information, and how to trust the voice inside that says, “You’ve done the work. You know what you’re doing.” Risk is about being awake. It’s about listening closely and acting deliberately. Not every decision has been perfect but every uncertain yes has moved me closer to a life that feels truly mine.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m an Ice Cross racer and wild ice skater – but more broadly, I’m someone who’s built a life around motion, challenge, and choosing joy. I grew up figure skating – that’s where my love for ice began. Over time, that passion evolved into something wilder. I transitioned from rinks to remote frozen lakes, from structured routines to adrenaline-fueled descents in Ice Cross. The foundation of discipline and technique I developed early on still lives in everything I do, but now it’s paired with grit, unpredictability, and exploration.

I train year-round, not in a conventional way, but through a lifestyle built around activity and adventure: mountain climbing, skiing, skating, blading. Work, injury, and the challenge of carving out a sustainable life have all forced me to be flexible. I’ve learned that discomfort isn’t something to avoid – it’s a compass that points to where you’re meant to go.

That mindset shapes more than just how I train – it shapes how I live. I’ve always tried to say “yes” – yes to the opportunities that stretch me, the adventures that scare me, and the things that bring me to life. Everything I do is rooted in the idea that being uncomfortable is where real progress happens. Only by embracing discomfort can you find a sense of strength that comfort could never teach you. I chase ice. I chase mountains. I chase that feeling of being fully alive. Whether I’m skating across a remote alpine lake or anticipating the start of a race, I’m always looking for ways to stay connected to the outdoors and to myself.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned? Joy isn’t something you stumble into – it’s something you make room for. You don’t need permission to live boldly. You can create a life that reflects your values and passions, even if it doesn’t look like anyone else’s. Growth comes from saying “yes” more often, leaning into the unknown, and from doing the things that light you up.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were visiting, the goal would be simple: move a lot, eat well, and soak in as much of Colorado’s wild beauty and vibrant flavor as possible. I’d want them to leave feeling both completely alive and slightly winded.

We’d start local, easing into the week with a hike in the foothills, Mt. Morrison or Sanitas in Boulder, followed by an early dinner at Mr. Kim’s Korean BBQ. From there, we’d chase a sunset at Red Rocks, whether it’s a concert, Film on the Rocks, or just the golden hour light hitting the stone – it never disappoints. The next few days would be a blend of city and nature. Boba is a non-negotiable stop. We’d hit up Aki Hot Pot for a cozy post-adventure meal and spend an afternoon wandering among murals or inside thrift stores. Then, we’d go big: a couple of days in Rocky Mountain National Park. Whether it’s alpine lakes, ridge lines, or spotting elk on Trail Ridge Road, RMNP is where Colorado really shows off. The rest of the week would be built around spontaneity – maybe rollerblading at dusk, a local climbing session, or taking advantage of the many bike trails.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I wouldn’t be where I am without the people and ideas that challenged me to dream bigger.

Big Fish (both the book and the movie) left a lasting impression on me. There’s a quote I come back to often: “Kept in a small bowl, the goldfish will remain small. With more space, the fish will grow double, triple, or quadruple its size.” A metaphor that the version of ourselves we become is often shaped not by our limits, but by the size of the world we allow ourselves to swim in. This reinforces my desire to grow beyond the boundaries I started in.

One of the people who also shaped my story in a lasting way was Barbara Bogner, the Assistant Director and a Zamboni driver at my college rink. She was a steady presence on the ice and behind the scenes. Barb didn’t teach me how to drive but she was one of the first figures who showed me what quiet excellence looks like. She was no-nonsense, deeply focused, and fully committed to the craft of driving and running a rink. She taught me the value of showing up with consistency and care.

And then there’s Laura Kottlowski – a wild ice skater whose influence reshaped my relationship with the activity. I was already exploring alpine lakes when I connected with Laura as an adult, but she introduced me to the pursuit of big ice. She taught me how to track the first freeze and understand the quiet language of ice forming across vast open water.

These stories and people helped expand my world. They reminded me that your environment doesn’t have to define your size. You can grow into the life you choose.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahaseibold/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahaseibold

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552514784607

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@sarah.seibold

Image Credits
Joreg Mitter
Ram McDonough
Olivia McDonald
Silver Fox Viz
Sarah Seibold
Laura Kottlowski