We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Amaryth Gass. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Amaryth below.
Amaryth , so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
My earliest memories of confidence come from my mother. As I’ve heard more stories about her life journey, she has always cultivated an identity backed by unwavering self-assurance. She was driven and hard-working, choosing a professional path and lifestyle that was rooted in her tenacious morals.
This internal flame was stoked as she parented me. Even on a subtle level, the traditional narrative of ‘damsel in distress’ was not in my family’s vocabulary. My childhood bedroom wasn’t filled with traditional feminine toys, even though I desired them to fit in with my peers. The bookshelves were filled with biographies of female historical figures and stories of princesses
who saved a distressed prince. I was held to the same expectations as my two brothers when it came to yard work or athletics. I was expected to see myself as capable and independent.
I faced challenges and was expected to lean into discomfort. As I became more familiar with the experience of grit, I built a body of evidence proving my resilience. By nurturing a perspective built upon overcoming challenges, I increasingly felt willing to take risks, use mistakes as an opportunity to learn, and dream big.
My experiences outdoors have been the second biggest teacher of self-esteem. When in the wilderness, there are an infinite number of variables beyond your control. Your gear breaks, the weather turns sour, or conditions are unfavorable… We risk these unknowns for the reward of an epic adventure. And it’s easy to take it personally when an excursion isn’t what you expect.
When things beyond your control unfold poorly in the outdoors, being confident in your skills and internal mindset is key. It is often the only thing left for you to rely upon. I am privileged to have spent enough time in the backcountry that during moments of uncertainty, I reach for my confidence in mindset and regain awareness. Recalibrating my internal self-esteem impacts the perspective I take into facing external challenges. This lens encourages adaptation and evolution. The outdoors is an ideal platform for me to practice this pattern of awareness and surrender.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am the co-founder/owner of the Sedona Mountain Bike Academy (SMBA), based out of Sedona, Arizona. My background as a clinical therapist and outdoor educator has been the perfect framework for me to share my love for exploring the outdoors by bike. SMBA is a team of local certified coaches with a passion for riding. We offer lessons, clinics, and adventures in Northern Arizona. SMBA rides with all ages and ability levels, sharing our iconic backyard trails while elevating their skills to have more fun on the bike. We are proud to be the highest-rated mountain bike experience in the Southwest, with 300+ 5-star reviews online. Whether it’s your first time on a mountain bike or you are an advanced rider, SMBA has an adventure for you!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Everyone’s journey is unique, so it’s futile to overly simplify my journey by narrowing down only 3 qualities. While I have benefited from the wisdom of my community and continue to seek out the advice of carefully selected mentors, I see others who have lost the connection to their internal compass. Today’s globalized world has inundated us with an infinite amount of advice. These external influences cloud our authentic calling, pushing us even further away from our life’s path. Be selective about the advice you implement. Pay attention to the feedback from yourself to inform your choices. Take enough time to listen, through meditation or intentional stillness.
As much as it is beneficial to learn from others, duplicating someone else’s path is an unsustainable pursuit.
How would you describe your ideal client?
As a mountain bike instructor, my ideal client is willing to learn. It is not uncommon to work with riders who are resistant to new concepts. Trying a different technique or maneuver almost always feels awkward. Especially after years of repetitive, dysfunctional habits, I empathize that an alternative pattern of behavior feels like regression at first. To support this experience, it takes vulnerability between both parties to reach a deeper understanding of how the relationship can function harmoniously. When a client approaches mountain bike instruction with receptivity, eagerness to learn, and curiosity to try something new, they immediately put themselves in a place of improvement. After gaining trust in the unknown and inviting the instructor to guide them, a client can experience the rekindled joy of riding a bike as they witness their skill progression.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sedonamountainbikeacademy.com/
- Instagram: @sedonamtbacademy @roseypear
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sedonamtbacademy/
Image Credits
Hanna Schmidtman (h.schmidtman@gmail.com)
