2018 Update: Unplugged with Olympian Mercedes Nicoll
A Summer Without Snowboarding
After almost 20 summers spent snowboarding this is the first summer I haven’t strapped on my snowboard while not injured, not because I didn’t want to, but because the timing didn’t work out. It’s been an exciting time since I’ve said I’m no longer competing in the halfpipe!
What’s an athlete to do post competitive career? My plan was to keep busy and so far that plan has worked. I’ve had some great opportunities and adventures come my way, from hosting the 3rd annual FamJam and the World Ski and Snowboard Festival in Whistler, to being an ambassador for Canada at the International Olympic Academy, to having some free time before my next endeavours. Read along to see what I’ve been up to!
2018 FamJam
The 3rd annual Halfpipe FAMJAM on Whistler/Blackcomb is put on by myself and Dom Vallee. We brought it into motion to bring out friends and family to ride and hike the pipe like its the early 2000’s all over again!
Our “Spring pipe session” came with every type of weather. Dom and I wanted to send out a huge THANK YOU for coming out and taking part! We were so happy to have the Mini Grom session again this year, it’s always amazing seeing the little ones in the pipe!
We couldn’t have done it without out community sponsors! Thank you for all the prizing for this community get together! We can’t wait for next year!
Info: https://www.facebook.com/halfpipefamjam/
Photos: https://www.facebook.com/pg/halfpipefamjam/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1885878504819568
Website: http://halfpipefamjam.weebly.com/
April 2018 World Ski and Snowboard Festival
I was happy to accept being the host of the 2018 WSSF. Check out all the videos on my press page I had a great time hitting up all the events, participating in some of them and showcasing everyone’s talent.
June 2018 IOA, International Olympic Academy
The IOA campus, located in the centre of the Ancient Olympia archaeological site, is over 225 acres it houses over 200 students, staff and lecturers. In the enclosed campus there are dormitory style rooms, where participants share rooms with participants from other countries. The IOA is the main international educational and cultural institution that aims to promote the Olympic Ideals and develop Olympic Educations. The International Session of Young Participants started in 1961 and I was chosen by the COC to attend the 58th Youth Session alongside COC staff member Brett Green and 2014 Winter Olympian Maxime Dufour-Lapointe.
The big takeaway was meeting all the participants sharing our knowledge and knowing that we share a common passion, to keep educating and promoting Olympism. I left Greece with a diploma and more gusto to share the Olympic Movement with Canada. If you would like to know more about what the COC does to promote the Olympic Movement click here.
More IOA images here
Staying Fit, or Trying to!
If you follow my social media you may have caught something I came up with this spring called Jog Tours. As I get to know new places, I like to share the views I see while running on my instagram stories. Jog Tours motivates me to keep fit while most of the time getting lost on purpose. As I said earlier I wanted to keep busy, I’ve found when I’m not busy I tend to fall back in to a depressed state, these little Jog Tours keep me fit and out of that darkness of depression. I’m usually smiling at the end of the tour, just not always in the beginning.
‘Working out on the road is a necessity! Not always easy but makes me feel and sleep better!’
“Usually I’d be snowboarding everyday! While I’m traveling I have to keep fit somehow! On the road with no gym, running it is. “
This quote rings true, I usually would be outdoors snowboarding, so I need something to replace that until winter, I also suffer from restless leg, so I have to get moving, and also don’t need to be putting on the freshman 15!
Instagram Jog Tours here
July 2018 Family Fun
While I was over in Greece, I took the time to visit family in the UK. My dad and I toured around visiting family throughout Southern England. I was able to make a special appearance at the Henley Rowing Regatta. Having made great friends at the IOA Australian Olympian Sarah Cooke, happened to be commentating the Regatta. Thanks to Sarah, I was able to get the best view in the house for the last row of Saturday, from the umpires boat with 4x Gold medalist Matthew Pinsent.
Toronto #RBCOlympian
Now on to my next endeavor, I’ve opted to do my RBC Olympian hours in Toronto, with the events department. This means I’ll be spending the next three months in Toronto learning and working along side the RBC events team as well as doing speaking engagements out here
Always fun bumping into #RBCOlympians in the office Sarah Wells and Brittany MacLean
Back to SNOW in November
Not to worry BC I’ll be back and ready for Whistler Blackcomb’s Ride with an Olympian, speaking engagements and other opportunities.
🎉#rideWithMercedes @WhistlerBlckcmb #ridewithanOlympian ❤️ pic.twitter.com/DbfBcgfaE9
— Mercedes Nicoll, OLY (@mercedesnicoll) April 14, 2017
More images on my social networks:
Facebook Fan Page: MercedesNicollProSnowboarder
Instagram: @mercedesnicoll
Twitter: @mercedesnicoll
Xoxo
Mercedes Nicoll