Local Leaders, Employers Invest in Whole Health for Jackson Hole

We decided in early June to produce a mindful triathlon to remind people that we matter to each other, and to share tools with strung-out employees and business owners, nurses and teachers, sandwich makers – people who just keep doing more and will inevitably bump up against their limit. We branded it the TRYathlon to reflect its underlying accessibility to everyone, regardless of fitness level. Unlike in a conventional triathlon, speed doesn’t matter. There are no losers. In fact, everyone stands to win. This "TRYathlon” combines mental and physical exercises designed to reduce stress and enhance whole wellness, with a guided mindfulness practice, all-abilities yoga, and a self-paced 5K trail walk or run. Participants will experience relief in the moment and gain tools they can take home with them.

“Sponsor” feels like an empty word for the leaders who stepped up immediately to help us build this event from idea to reality in just 10 weeks. Leaders like this are the heart and soul of our community. They saw an opportunity to help locals regain emotional balance and improve mental fitness and didn't hesitate to put their organizations behind it. 

Connie Kemmerer, a maven of community wellness, gave the event a “home” at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort right away. (I walked the 5K route with her this week and couldn’t keep up physically or with the constant stream of ideas she had for improving it so people could enjoy it more.) We’re lucky to have her and her incredible team supporting us, as is anyone who cares about resilience. 

The many great leaders on the executive team at St. John’s Health do not miss a beat, no matter what, in championing health and wellness. With the Wellness Department there, the communications and human resources dynamos stepped right in because they see and care about the toll this pandemic has taken on their incredible employees. (I tested this descriptor firsthand with a little visit to the ER a few weeks ago. Yep, they are just beyond words.)

Mike Gierau was my first boss when I waitressed at Jedediah’s (now Catering & Concessions) in the 90s. He has never turned away from an idea that would help employees, families, and working people. I barely got the words out, and he said, “Yes. I want to help.” Lauren at First Republic Bank sought me out with an email in the spring: “We love what you’re doing. We want to help.” Stephan at the Liquor Store responded immediately, saying, “I’m in. Great idea. We have to do more to help each other.” Guillermo, director of external affairs for AT&T in Colorado and Wyoming, had to wriggle through a complicated system to help us, but he did.

It’s people who power our businesses and corporations and organizations, and many are really great leaders. Ed at Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole, Mark at The Alpenhof, Richard and Sarah at First Interstate...they kept us energized and asking, because they, like us, want to help. Karen and Lisa at Compass Real Estate, Ned and Erika’s Family Foundation, and Teton Village Association stepped up mostly because they are willing to be part of the “trying.” Because they, like their co-sponsors, acknowledge the difficulties we face now, and feel the primal desire to alleviate the pressure, the pain, the stress we all feel as wave after wave of challenges pummel our community.

These champions of an event designed to support and encircle local families gave me back an emotion I realized I had been missing lately: hope. And for that and on behalf of all the hardworking and deserving people in our community who will benefit, I thank them.

With gratitude,

Sara and the Becoming Jackson Whole team