“Flow state is actually the process of accessing and tapping into our own human potential.” – Gretchen Bleiler
Olympian Gretchen Bleiler learned how to tap into flow state during her experience at the X Games in Aspen, Colorado.
Bleiler decided early on that she was going to be an Olympian, although she didn’t know what sport it would be for. Back then snowboarding wasn’t even a sport, and was considered just a fad, until the mid-nineties. She decided to follow her dreams to become a professional snowboarder, and found herself competing at the X Games.
Bleiler was rumored to be the gold-medal favorite. She had spent the year learning a move called The Crippler—one that no other girls were doing. Despite her hard work—and several black eyes—she was doubting herself, fearing her success as well as her failure, and wanting to actually avoid the competition. She was cracking under the weight of expectations: the ones she held for herself, and the ones from others.
Bleiler taught herself how to tap into flow state, or what she calls our own human potential. She believes we are able to tap into it at any time; all we have to do is learn how. Every persons’ flow state is unique and different, depending on our own abilities and willingness to explore it. Once we can tap into flow state, all effort ceases—as it did for Bleiler in her X Games run—and things become easeful.
Bleiler offers three steps to tap into flow state:
- You must have passion, curiosity, and purpose.
- You must find the courage to act on your passion, curiosity, or purpose.
- Once you choose your passion, you are on the path toward flow state.
For more information, visit her website.
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Produced by Wanderlust Festival
Filmed and Edited by Circus Picnic
Filmed at Wanderlust Aspen-Snowmass 2015
Accompanying text by Kristin Diversi