What sports are you involved in? 

trail running, gravel biking, road biking, Nordic skiing, ski mountaineering, ice climbing, and lacrosse

What inspired you to pursue these sports?

I became interested in outdoor endurance pursuits while living in Colorado and began hanging out with some friends who were into being outside running, biking, and skiing in the Rocky Mountains. Since moving to Vermont, it's been motivating to continue trying new sports and learning how to move better and efficiently through the mountains.

Tell us about your favorite memory thus far in your athletic journey.

One of my all-time fun trips was heading to the highlands of Scotland with my wife to run the Sky Running World Champs 54k at Ben Nevis. It was a special race, and we got to do it together, rambling through the Scottish Highlands and enjoying the trail running scene there.

How do you balance athletics with other aspects of your life?

It can be difficult, but with most things in a full life, balance is key. Running a business, having two small children and a family, and trying to train and succeed in endurance endeavours feels impossible at times but is really just a matter of balance and intention. I've learned when it makes sense to push on one aspect of life versus another. Sports and recreation are important but always come with a price to other things in life, so it's key to lean on my family for what I can pursue and how it impacts our life.

Are there any specific values or life lessons you’ve gained from your involvement in sports?

From early on, lacrosse was my life for years after playing in college. I traveled the world with a lacrosse and youth-development centered non-profit organization called Kids Lacrosse The World that I started once moving back from Thailand in 2014. This brought me a clearer understanding of how fortunate we are here to benefit from the resources and opportunities available to us from a young age for sports and recreation. It feels important to me to understand this and show appreciation for what we have and what we can do for others. 

In terms of endurance sports like running, biking, and skiing, it feels like brands and marketing companies are trying to capitalize on the growing popularity of these sports, which is the natural course of things as they become more common among people. With that, I think it's important to take a step back and not take things too seriously. I don't think you need super shoes, $100 performance shirts, or exorbitant race entry fees to be cool and have fun. We get to exercise and take advantage of these fun outdoor activities as a privilege, and we should respect that for what it is.

Have any coaches or mentors played a significant role in your athletic development?

For me, I've had coaches in the past but found most things to be self-taught or absorbed through friends and getting out in the community and just doing the activity. I found there is a lot of value in trying new things, failing at some, and learning what works best and makes the most sense. I've found different professional athletes to be inspiring, such as Adam Campbell and Joe Grant, to Vince Carter and Stuart Scott.

What are your future goals and aspirations in athletics?

As I begin to age and my family grows, my goals and aspirations are changing accordingly. I want to spend more time with my boys showing them what the outside world is like and the joy you can get from simply trail running or skiing. This summer I hope to run the Mozo Double Up Mt. Mansfield with my wife, Emma, as we get back into doing more events together. Down the line, I want to say I have run, biked, and skied the length of Vermont. This is possible because Vermont has different trails for each discipline that travel the length of the state from Canada to Massachusetts. It would be a really special and intimate way to see the rest of the state and spend some time doing what I love.

What advice would you give other aspiring athletes in the community?

Go find your community and grow it. Nothing seems to feed the soul more than sharing what you love with others, especially in sports activities. I like to lean on the African proverb, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together".

Contact Information:

(845) 283-2014

@elliottjamescouch