This is Part II of an article reporting on the recent appearance of the SMS T2 team at an evening where FasterSkier partnered with The Memory Clinic of Bennington, Vermont. The video posted below features the entirety of a wide-ranging Question & Answer session that involved most of the SMS T2 team, including Julia Kern, Jessie Diggins, and Ben Ogden. It was a treat to be among so many of our skiing heroes, and to hear how they responded to questions from the audience.
We also want to thank our industry partners Atomic, Alpina and Salomon for providing prizes at the event.
Be sure to check out Part One, where Julia Kerns talked about how to Strengthen You Mental and Physical Self.
The world of professional skiing is big and broad, but each professional team has a community they call “home.” For SMS T2, they are definitely the Home Team in the Nordic community of southern Vermont and western Massachusetts. It’s always fun and inspiring when the team and the community get to come together (as SMS T2 has always been devoted to doing) for events, for conversations, for competitions, and for cameraraderie. FasterSkier recently teamed up with our friends at The Memory Clinic in Bennington, Vermont for an evening with Olympic skier and 2023 World Championship medalist Julia Kern and her SMST2 teammates, including Jessie Diggins and Ben Ogden. Julia was kind enough to serve as the keynote speaker for the evenings festivities:
FasterSkier would also like to thank our industry partners Atomic, Alpina and Salomon for providing prizes at the event.
In an article scheduled to follow this one, FasterSkier will also provide video coverage of the entire SMS T2 Team engaged in an open Q&A devoted to the discussion of big dreams, goal setting, nutrition, and mental health. It was a great night to be in southern Vermont, and we’re happy to share it with you. Stay tuned!
BENNINGTON, VERMONT – FasterSkier is excited to team up with The Memory Clinic to present an evening with Olympic Athletes Julia Kern, Jessie Diggins, and Ben Ogden to discuss the Integration of Physical and Mental Health. On Monday, September 25, in Bennington, Vermont these SMS T2 team members will be on hand to discuss the importance of goal-setting and maintaining motivation for athletes and non-athletes, alike.
The evening’s keynote speaker will be World Championship bronze medalist—and SMS T2 team member—Julia Kern, who will discuss lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise, and their role in overall health. Also in attendance will be 2023 FIS U23 champion, Ben Ogden, and Olympic gold medalist, Jessie Diggins, who will be signing copies of her book, Brave Enough (signed copies of which will be presented, free, to the first 50 attendees). The conclusion of the event will also include a Q & A with these SMS T2 team members.
FasterSkier reached Julia for comment on her personal connection to philosophies of physical and mental health: “I think physical and mental health are equally important,” she said. “And often the recovery and self care aspect is overlooked. I find that getting outside to exercising most days boosts my mental health by being active and spending time outside. Equally as important are finding times to recover my body and mind by spending time with family and friends, and doing the activities that make me happy outside of ski training.”
Jessie Diggins—the most decorated American cross-country Olympian—will be at The Memory Clinic signing copies of her book, Brave Enough (of which the first 50 event attendees will receive a free signed copy). (Photo: NordicFocus)
“I got into cross country skiing [as a result of] outreach from Jessie Diggins and other SMS T2 athletes,” Kern commented. “They came to one of my club practices and I vividly remember getting to do a speed against Jessie. Little did I know, 10 years later we would be racing at World Champs together, and go to win a Bronze medal! I hope outreach events like this one in Bennington will inspire kids and families that they can dream big and be one of the best skiers in the world, or even just fall in the love with the sport and get to experience the amazing cross-country skiing community locally and beyond!”
The entire staff of The Memory Clinic will be in attendance to answer specific questions from attendees, and to provide an overview of some of the recent achievements in the field of Alzheimer’s disease research, including the FDA-approved medications that are proving effective in slowing the progress of this heart-breaking, degenerative disease.
Support from FasterSkier and SMS T2 also makes possible numerous ski-related giveaways, and music provided by DJ Break Doctor. This is a FREE event, so come join us at The Memory Clinic (357 Shields Drive, Bennington) for a fun and informative evening with these remarkable athletes!
