Living in mountain towns like Squamish, Whistler, Revelstoke, or Golden means being surrounded by some of the most skilled outdoor athletes in the world. Whether it’s skiing, mountain biking, or climbing, the standard of performance is incredibly high. While this can be inspiring, it can also be overwhelming—especially when our love for sport starts to feel like an expectation rather than a personal passion.
When Passion Becomes Pressure
For many recreational athletes, the joy of outdoor sports can be overshadowed by comparison and self-doubt. The question of Am I good enough? can creep in when we see others training harder, sending bigger lines, or competing at elite levels. In mountain towns where professional athletes are our neighbours, colleagues, and even our friends, it’s easy to feel like our best isn’t enough.
This pressure doesn’t just affect performance—it can take a toll on mental health. When sport becomes tied to identity, self-worth can rise and fall with our results. Injuries, bad days, or simply choosing to take a break can feel like personal failures rather than normal parts of the athlete experience.
Raising Kids in a High-Performance Culture
In the Sea to Sky and beyond, kids grow up in a culture where skiing, biking, and climbing are more than just hobbies—they’re pathways to professional careers. From an early age, young athletes face pressure to commit to high-performance programs, sponsorships, and competition circuits. If a child doesn’t fit this mold—or simply isn’t interested in chasing podiums—it can feel like they don’t belong in the community.
So how do we support kids in mountain towns who are growing up in this culture?
Encourage identity beyond sport. Help kids explore interests outside of athletics—whether that’s art, music, or simply unstructured outdoor play. A strong sense of self beyond sport can help buffer against the ups and downs of competition.
Validate their feelings. If a child feels anxious about competing, burnt out from training, or simply uninterested in the high-performance path, listen. Let them know their worth isn’t tied to their results.
Promote play over pressure. Not every ride, ski day, or climb needs to be about progression. Let kids enjoy the outdoors without tracking every metric or chasing the next big goal.
Redefining Success in a Competitive Community
Success in sport isn’t just about podiums, sponsorships, or pushing limits. It can also mean:
Finding flow and joy on a solo ride
Spending time in nature with friends and family
Developing lifelong movement habits rather than burning out early
At Tori Wood Wellness, we offer counselling and therapy for individuals struggling with their relationship with sport. Whether it’s the pressure to perform, feelings of burnout, or the challenge of balancing mental health and athletic identity, we help athletes and outdoor enthusiasts build a healthier, more sustainable connection with movement.
If you or your child are feeling overwhelmed by the high-performance culture in your mountain town, know that you’re not alone. There’s space for everyone in sport—no matter how they choose to engage with it.
Need support? Let’s connect. Therapy and counselling can help you navigate these challenges and find a balanced, fulfilling relationship with sport.
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