Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kelly Halpin. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Kelly, so happy to have you with us today and there is so much we want to ask you about. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others developed certain skills or qualities that we are struggling with can be helpful. Along those lines, we’d love to hear from you about how you developed your ability to take risk?
Risks and challenges are necessary to expand as a person. As an artist and an athlete, taking risks are mandatory for growth. I developed my ability to take risks as a child. My parents allowed a lot of free play which gave my sister and I freedom to be creative as well as explore the forests, mountains, and wilderness we grew up in. We learned it’s okay to fall from a tree and scrap your elbow- you can overcome it. That it was empowering to get lost and find your way to familiar territory on your own. That screwing up every once and a while was an important lesson.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am lucky to have two very different careers- I am a professional athlete and a freelance illustrator. As a professional mountain runner, I get to chase speed records in very technical terrain and create my own routes in wilderness settings. Many of the records I go after I do in a solo unsupported style, meaning I have no external help whatsoever. It’s incredibly empowering and special. I love being outside, I love pushing myself mentally and physically, I love movement in the mountains.
As a freelance illustrator I get to exercise the creative side of my brain, whether it’s working on my own art, writing and illustrating children’s books or working with clients on editorial style illustrations. I love applying visual storytelling skills to paper.
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?
I think one of the most important skills I learned was being okay with taking risk and using discomfort to further my expansion as both an artist and athlete. Taking a risk can be as simple as trying something new such as the first time I combined running with climbing mountains. I learned I had a large capacity for endurance and that lead me to becoming a professional. Another skill, more specifically applied to being in the mountains, was increasing my knowledge of wilderness first aid, navigation, and survival skills. Increasing my personal knowledge gave me a lot of confidence to be alone and be able to rely on myself. I can also use that knowledge in organized races and for leadership skills when I’m out with groups of people.
A last “skill” I think is really important to hone in on is having curiosity. I use curiosity when planning routes, traveling, exploring new training techniques, and always for creating artwork.
For people starting out as freelancers or athletes or anyone on whatever journey they take, getting comfortable with taking certain risks, delving into knowledge, and pursuing curiosity will absolutely help if not be essential.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
My parents played an enormous role in helping me become the person I am today. They were big supporters of the arts and allowed me and my sister a lot of time for creativity. I learned that you could, in fact, have a career as an artist and so I never questioned whether that was a viable option. We visited a lot of galleries and museums so I was constantly surrounded by inspiration. I also developed a large foundation for confidence and self reliance as a child because, again, I was allowed a lot of free time and allowed to take risks. My sister and I were never over insulated from the world around us so we knew early on how to make smart decisions and overcome challenges.
Contact Info:
- Website: kellyhalpin.com
- Instagram: @kyehalpin
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kyehalpin
- Other: https://www.lasportivausa.com/kelly-halpin https://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en_US/athletes/kelly-halpin/ https://vimeo.com/564461179
Image Credits
Mike Thurk Elise Sterck Fred Most (2 images)
