Getting Inspired with Kelly Clark's New Book
As the winningest athlete in snowboarding history, Kelly Clark has had her fair share of successes.
(The jury’s still out, but we suspect the word “winningest” may have been invented just for her.) With her book, Inspired, she can now add “published author” to the list. Reflecting on her years of hard work, motivation, and preparation, her insights are guaranteed to inspire you.
"The whole process was more vulnerable than I had anticipated. I really put my life on display and there are still some parts that stir up emotion as I read."
That’s right: on top of everything else going on in her life – including contest prep and hip rehab after a debilitating injury and surgery in 2015 – Kelly found time to write a book. Turns out, she had considered writing one for years, but it took a while to find the right people (including designers, photographers, editors, and even Donna who wrote the foreword) to help turn her idea into reality. With surgery and recovery starting in Spring 2016, it ended up being the perfect time to work on a new project indoors. “It gave me something to look forward to during my seven months off snow,” Kelly said.
In the book, there’s an emphasis on setting small, measurable goals for yourself in order to keep progressing. Dreams are always big for Kelly, but when we asked about her goals, she said, “I try not to get ahead of myself and keep it simple, working on the small things that will set me up for success.” Things like making it to all of her workouts each week and checking off tricks that will get her to the finals. When you want to progress, it’s all in the details, and every little bit counts.
Ultimately, Inspired isn’t about an athlete’s success in competition, but about the personal victories and internal growth experienced along the way, throughout life’s ups and the downs. She hopes to continue sharing her story and encouraging readers’ personal growth in new ways. “I think I have a few more books in me,” she said. “I hope this is the start of a fun new journey for me.”
Get inspired and learn more about Kelly’s book on her website. ∆