Letter from Ed Forner

Ed Forner wrote it in response to the Blog article, “Move From Comfortable to Uncomfortable and Back to Comfortable”.

Dear Barbra,

Years ago a friend of mine and I made a decision that we would become high level skiers and high level instructors. He was already 51 and I was 54.

Since then we have obtained our mission by becoming level 3 ski teachers. There are only 4 levels of ski teachers. (He is a better skier than I, because he is nuts.)

When we started out on this journey, my friend (who was a pro hockey player at one time) always wanted to go in the steepest, bumpiest, ugliest terrain that we could find. His comments were, “You cannot learn it if you are not in it.”

My learning style was a little different and I would tell him, “Maybe so, but you cannot learn to jab and counter by trying to go 12 rounds with Mike Tyson.”

The result was good for both of us. We would spend a lot of time doing skill drills on slopes with conditions in our comfort zone and we would also spend a lot of time “in it”.

I am 70 years old now and during the winter I teach skiers of all levels – although I must admit the top level 20+ age skiers are pretty hard on me. I am fortunate enough that my body is holding up quite well and I supervise the men’s day and 50+ age programs at the Big White Ski Resort Ski School at Kelowna, British Columbia.

So yes – putting people out of their comfort zone is good stuff – but as you know, Mike Tyson is always waiting and learning stops when fear takes over.

Ed Forner

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One Comment on Letter from Ed Forner

Jennifer Canfield on Fri, 5th Jun 2009 2:34 pm

That letter from Ed Forner was quite inspiring as I am 57! I’ve always wanted to go full speed with my horses in terms of accomplishment, incuding cutting. But Family obligations and health issues held me back. It hasn’t been until my later years that I’m seeing some light at the end of the tunnel. I figured it was probably all over by now and that I’ve totally missed the boat (or the horse). We are struggling financially, but I’ve held on to my horses. Now I feel like there is still hope for me to achieve better horsemanship skills even if I don’t get it all done. And, yes, I have faced fears and Barbara’s book was a great help. Thanks

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