Success is Subjective: Real People. Raw Stories. Embracing a Non-Linear Life!

Episode 31: Lessons from the Slopes - Ray Ford on Passion, Persistence, and Purpose

Joanna Lilley, MA, NCC Season 4 Episode 311

What happens when you do everything “right” — the grades, the sports, the scholarships — but none of it makes you happy? For Ray Ford, the answer was found on a snowboard. Growing up in rural West Virginia with two engineer parents, Ray followed the path he was told would lead to success: top GPA, full ride to college, and a major in engineering. But watching the snow fall outside while grinding through calculus, he realized the only thing that ever brought him real joy was snowboarding. One bold decision to change his major — and his life’s direction — set him on a path that’s kept him on the slopes for more than a decade. Today, Ray is a trainer-level snowboard instructor at Aspen Snowmass, a mentor to younger athletes, and proof that you don’t need a traditional degree to build a meaningful career. If you’ve ever wondered whether following your heart could actually lead to a career, Ray’s story is living proof that it can — and that chasing passion is often the most practical choice of all. 

Ray’s Resources:
snowmassschool@aspensnowmass.com
P: 970-923-8733

rayjford90@gmail.com

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Therapeutic Consulting Association

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Email joanna@lilleyconsulting.com

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