We're constantly inspired by those around us doing amazing & inspiring things. To find someone who is turning their passion into a career is something I would say most of aspire to.
Enter Elena Hight, professional snowboarder (amongst many other things) who has been able to turn her passions, on the mountain, into a reality. From a young age, she's been blazing down the path that's gotten her to where she's at today- which from the look of things, is a great place to be.
Read on for the next installment in our Follow Your Gut series, featuring pro-snowboarder and all-around rockstar, Elena Hight!

EXPLAIN WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU DO!

I'm Elena Hight, a professional snowboarder, winter olympian, health foodie, part-time yogi, amateur surfer, and a nature lover. I feel very fortunate to be able to call my passion my career.

HOW DID YOU GET HERE? DID YOU ALWAYS KNOW THIS WAS YOUR LIFE’S MISSION?

My dad has been a surfer his entire life, so when my family relocated to the mountains teaching all his kids to snowboard was first on the list. I fell in love with it almost immediately and never looked back.
I knew at a very young age I wanted to be an athlete, I was also a gymnast as a kid so I thought I wanted to do that. As I got older I quickly realized I loved being in the outdoors, and craved the freedom that snowboarding provides.

WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?

I spend about 80% of my year on the road, whether it's for contests, photoshoots, filming, obligations, or training. Because of that travel, a “typical” day is pretty unattainable, but I try to have a morning routine that keeps me grounded amongst the cause.
My morning routine starts off with meditation, a short yoga sequence, lots of water and coffee, followed by a good breakfast. I find that having this similar routine no matter where I am keeps me grounded and prepares me for whatever the day has in store.… which hopefully is lots of time in the mountains!

WHO OR WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

I am very inspired by nature and the inner workings that create our environment as a whole. I find that nature has this uncanny ability to be present, work in synchronicity, grow, take instant feedback, be versatile, and offer peace. Observing this and connecting with it really inspires me to be my best person, on and off my snowboard.

YOU’VE COMPETED IN THE X-GAMES- TELL US WHAT THAT WAS LIKE!

X-Games is an amazing event that brings the best of actions sports together in one week. Our event, the women's halfpipe competition, happens at night under the lights which adds so much energy and excitement to it. I have 6 X-Games medals including 1 gold medal from my years at X-Games, and really nothing else compares to these!

DESCRIBE THE “HAPPIEST AND HEALTHIEST” VERSION OF YOURSELF.

I am the happiest and healthiest version of myself when I'm spending full days out in the mountains, snowboarding, immersed in nature. Cooking nourishing meals at home with organic, whole foods, and able to balance my to-do’s with things that just fill up my spirit. When all of these things line up my body, mind, and spirit really shine.

BEST ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED?

You are more powerful than you could ever imagine. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t achieve something you put your mind too.

ONE THING ON YOUR BUCKET LIST?

I have lots of bucket list items… my most recently added item is to learn to paraglide! I got to go tandem once and since then I have been fascinated with it. I truly think it’s the closest thing we can do to becoming a bird! …And who doesn’t want to be a bird?!

WHAT’S UP NEXT FOR YOU? ANY EXCITING COMPETITIONS, PROJECTS, TRIPS WE CAN LOOK OUT FOR?

Lots of exciting things on the horizon for this coming season! In the near future the snowboard film i worked on in 2018, Ode To Muir, is premiering and will be available online which is a project I am super excited to share with the world. I also have another digital piece coming out in November called Vision Nowhere, so keep an eye out for that. This coming winter I am focusing on stepping into big mountain snowboarding. This will consist of chasing good snow, filming for a new project, and really aiming to share the stories of adventure with you all!

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU TELL YOUR 16-YEAR-OLD SELF?

To always trust your intuition, especially when it seems crazy!

WHAT DOES “FOLLOW YOUR GUT” MEAN TO YOU?

To me, Follow Your Gut means, be true to who you are, trust your intuition, and embrace the process and the journey!

Thank you for sharing, Elena! Be sure to follow along on Elena's journey for more inspiration & fun.

Today's blog is written by our very own Daina Trout, MS, MPH

Daina is not just our Co-Founder, she is also a nutritionist that has spent her adult life dedicated to finding and sharing health and wellness through food. With 2 masters' degrees in nutritional biochemistry and public health, Daina has called upon her education often while leading the way at Health-Ade - from how we make every batch of kombucha, to how we talk about gut health to consumers, to even how healthy our employee workplace is! She even writes a few blogs here and there. Happy reading! :)