“Snowboarding Makes Me Happy!” This is a common phrase used by many in this industry. A few years back Burton ran an ad campaign with their women’s team, which shared this statement publicly. Remember Victoria Jealouse with a huge smile in a white t-shirt with these words on it? Well, recently I have been involved in several conversations about how snowboarding has made people happy and how it has also changed people’s lives; including mine. Snowboarding has become my path to happiness.

This beautiful sport and passion has brought us all together, and there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t smile because of it. Whether it’s a hobby, passion, lifestyle, or addiction, it’s bringing us all happiness. Each of us has a story of why we got into snowboarding and what it means to us. These stories I have been hearing recently are amazing and I think should be shared. So I will start by sharing mine.

The soul of snowboarding is captivating and I don’t know about for you, but for me snowboarding changed my path in life! Before I had this career, I was a student, a Totally Board shop employee, and a waitress through college. I was working hard to establish myself and was trying to create an identity in the world. My number one aspiration was to become a professional snowboarder. I wanted to inspire others by proving that we could accomplish whatever we wanted to with hard work. When I was 14 years old my positive and focused outlook was threatened because I lost my father to lung cancer. This tragedy undeniably swayed my life’s path and without snowboarding I would have had no escape from those sad days. I was young and this loss of a parent felt like the end of the world. However, thanks to my very supportive mother and her dedication, I was able to fulfill this dream, and was able to see that every choice I made could alter my future drastically. Snowboarding quickly became my release. If I was stressed out, overwhelmed, mad, sad, or just confused, I would strap on my snowboard, and somehow all of emotions would disappear. Snowboarding made everything better and it became a passion that I knew I could not live with out. Snowboarding made me happy!

Today I look back at the road that snowboarding has lead me down and I couldn’t be more grateful and humbled by all my experiences. I have been able to travel the world, make new friends, push my limits, and most importantly, pursue the dream I was so determined to accomplish at a young age. I wanted to share my story with you, with the hope that you will share your story with us here at #Burtongirls. Together we can share our happiness, spread light, inspire one another, and show others that anything is possible with passion.

To close, here is one of my favorite quotes:
“Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Share your story of what makes you happy in the comments on the www.burtongirls.com page linked to each of the above photos.

Cheers to happiness. Chase your dreams and live life with enthusiasm and passion!

Love,
Kimmy Fasani