Meet Karen Jarchow

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Karen Jarchow. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Karen, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

My resilience is deeply rooted in watching my mother navigate life’s challenges with quiet strength. She endured so much yet never complained, never asked for help, and never let on that she was carrying a heavy load. That unwavering strength shaped me as an athlete and entrepreneur, giving me the grit to push through difficulty and trust that I could handle whatever came my way. But I now realize that I missed a crucial aspect of resilience—one that may have been present all along, yet wasn’t the driving energy I inherited.

Over time, I’ve learned that true resilience isn’t just about enduring—it’s also about knowing when to soften, when to ask for help, and when to rest. The walls of ‘I’ve got this’ served me well, but I’ve come to understand that resilience can also look like ease, allowing space for support and recovery.

I owe much of my strength to my mother, and I’m grateful to now embrace a more balanced version of resilience—one that no longer comes at the cost of my physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual well-being.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

My path has been anything but conventional, yet every step has led me to where I am today—helping kids develop not just as riders, but as whole, resilient humans. My journey into professional mountain bike racing happened fast. I charged in with intensity, driven by the same mindset that had shaped me since childhood: push harder, do more, and prove myself through performance. While this approach brought success on the racecourse, it also led me to question whether true strength was only about endurance and achievement.

At the same time, I founded Vail Valley RIDE, a program that started as a way to get kids on bikes but quickly evolved into something much deeper. As I grew—both as an athlete and as a person—I saw how the bike could be a tool for more than just physical skill. It became a gateway for kids to explore their mental, emotional, and even spiritual well-being. Through RIDE, I integrate lessons that extend beyond biking: emotional regulation, breath awareness, and the balance between effort and ease. I believe that sport, when approached with intention, can help kids develop a strong sense of self, confidence, and trust in their own resilience—not just as athletes, but as people.

Today, I’m focused on expanding Mindfulness and Mindset Coaching within the athletic space, integrating my background in sport psychology, breathwork, and cognitive coaching to support both young and elite athletes in navigating performance, transition, and self-discovery. With Vail Valley RIDE, I am refining the mentorship aspect of the program, helping young riders and future coaches build confidence and emotional intelligence alongside their technical skills. I believe these tools are just as essential to success as physical training.

Looking ahead, my goal is to bridge the gap between athletic achievement and holistic well-being, guiding athletes, teams, and individuals to train not only their bodies but also their minds. By incorporating breathwork, self-awareness, and mindset shifts, I help athletes unlock their full potential—not just in sport, but in life.

At the heart of everything I do is the belief that movement is medicine. Whether it’s a young rider gaining confidence, an athlete navigating the pressures of competition, or an individual facing life’s transitions, my work is about using sport as a vehicle for transformation—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The most impactful area of knowledge I’ve gained—one that I’m continually relearning—is how to do less.

In a society that glorifies more—more effort, more achievement, more productivity—it feels radical to trust that less is actually more. For much of my life, I didn’t even realize how much I was taking on. It felt natural, even comforting—like a warm, weighted blanket. But the work that stemmed from that “more, more, more” mentality never felt like enough. No matter how much I achieved, there was always another summit to chase.

The times I have allowed myself to do less, to pause, to let the dust settle—those have been the moments of true clarity and fulfillment. What emerges from that space isn’t forced or clawed toward—it’s aligned, sustainable, and deeply satisfying.

Three Qualities That Have Been Most Impactful on My Journey:
Trusting the Pause – Learning to step back and allow space instead of constantly pushing forward. Whether in sport, work, or life, the greatest breakthroughs have come when I let things breathe instead of forcing them. Cultivating patience and trust is a lifelong practice, but it has transformed how I approach both challenges and opportunities.

Embodying Resilience with Ease – For years, I believed resilience was about grit, toughness, and pushing through. Now, I see that resilience also includes knowing when to soften, when to rest, and when to ask for support. True strength isn’t just about endurance; it’s about adaptability and self-awareness.

Reframing Success – I’ve learned that success isn’t just about reaching the top—it’s about feeling whole and fulfilled along the way. Achievements are fleeting, but learning how to move through life in a way that feels sustainable and meaningful is the real win. This means embracing balance, presence, and the ability to pivot when needed.

Advice for Those Early in Their Journey:
Learn to listen to yourself. If you constantly feel like you have to prove something, pause and ask: What is this drive rooted in? Developing self-awareness will help you determine when to push and when to pull back.
Redefine what “hard work” looks like. Hard work doesn’t always mean grinding. Sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is rest.
Surround yourself with people who reflect the balance you seek. Who you spend time with influences how you operate in the world. Seek mentors and peers who embody both drive and ease.
Trust that what is meant for you will come. The greatest things I’ve experienced have happened not from force, but from alignment. When you let go of the need to control everything, the right opportunities will reveal themselves.
Ultimately, learning to do less has given me so much more. I hope others can find the courage to trust in that as well.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I’m always open to collaborating with those who align with the mission of my work—whether through supporting Vail Valley RIDE or partnering in Mindfulness and Mindset Coaching.

For those looking to support youth development through cycling, I welcome sponsors and donors who want to invest in Vail Valley RIDE. Our program is about more than just teaching kids how to ride—it’s about building confidence, resilience, and a deeper connection to self through movement. Support from sponsors helps us continue to offer high-quality coaching, expand access, and create a meaningful impact in the lives of young riders.

I am also accepting new clients for Mindfulness and Mindset Coaching, whether through one-on-one mentorship, group coaching, or creative collaborations. I work with athletes, high-achievers, and individuals navigating transitions, helping them cultivate resilience, self-awareness, and a sustainable approach to success—both on and off the bike.

If you’re interested in partnering, sponsoring, or exploring a coaching collaboration, I’d love to connect! Feel free to reach out via email or DM me through my website (Vail Valley RIDE: vailvalleyride.com or karen.jarchow@vailvalleyride.com)(Mindfulness + Mindset Coaching: karen-jarchow.com) or Instagram (@karenjarchow.coach).

Contact Info:

• Website: www.vailvalleyride.com, www.karen-jarchow.com
• Instagram: @vailvalleyride and @karenjarchow.coach
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VailValleyRIDE
• Other: Substack: https://substack.com/@karenjarchow
  Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/105782

Image Credits

My photo: New Roots Photography
Others of the kids are images I took myself