HawkeTalk 137. Kristen Ulmer: From Hall of Fame Extreme Skier to Fear & Anxiety Expert
What if fear wasn’t your enemy but your secret weapon? In this episode, I sit down with Kristen Ulmer, a former professional skier turned fear and anxiety specialist. Kristen takes you through her journey, from being a shy, legally blind child to becoming a world-class skier. She shares how her unique relationship with fear shaped her life, including a transformative trip to Asia that changed everything. Kristen reveals how embracing fear, instead of fighting it, has been key to her personal growth and success.
Kristen skied for a decade without a single day off, except for filming, promoting sponsors, or judging. She tackled 70-foot drops, rock climbed, ice climbed, and even paraglided. Yet, it wasn't without challenges—four ACL reconstructions in three years, and she still didn’t miss a ski season. Her resilience and fearlessness in the face of physical and mental hurdles are truly awe-inspiring.
Tune in to hear how Kristen’s unstoppable mindset can help you transform your relationship with fear and use it as a tool for growth. If you're ready to face your fears head-on and unlock your true potential, this episode is a must-listen!
In this episode:
(00:20) Introduction to Hawke Talk
(05:01) Kristen's journey to becoming a world-class skier
(11:00) Impact of the Asia trip on skiing performance
(15:02) Transition to big mountain extreme skiing
(20:04) Experiencing sponsorship for the first time
(25:21) The balance of healing and rehabbing from surgeries
(30:00) The role of fear in performance and life
(35:03) Transitioning out of professional skiing
(42:25) Starting mindset ski camps
(45:26) Misconceptions about fear
(46:17) Future plans and writing on anxiety
(48:46) Advice on pursuing high-level achievement
(49:53) The amazing experiences on Earth
(50:28) Closing remarks
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About Our Guest
Kristen Ulmer is a thought leader, high-performance facilitator, and fear/anxiety expert. Drawing from her tenure as the world's top female extreme skier and 15 years of Zen study, she has facilitated over ten thousand clients on fear, anxiety, and achieving flow states. Her work has been featured in media outlets like NPR, The Wall Street Journal, and Forbes. She authored "The Art of Fear: Why Conquering Fear Won’t Work and What to Do Instead," challenging existing norms about this misunderstood emotion.
Kristen Ulmer
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