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Andrew Farny

@andrewfarny

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Colorado College '19

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Lessons from snow (4/6): When you set out for a day in the backcountry, the snow conditions are always impacting your decisions. You may have a certain goal or objective in mind, one that has always captured your attention. You may have put in the work or solved the logistics to finally get to that spot, to be so close to achieving the goal, only to have dangerous snow conditions stop you in your tracks and reassess. There is no shame in turning back, in changing or adapting your objectives to better fit the existing snow conditions and climate.

With each type of snow, you must adjust your approach and technique to reflect those conditions. Properly doing so can create the best days in some of the worst conditions.

If you find yourself in dangerous terrain with unfavorable snow conditions, similar to where our society is today, don’t be afraid to voice your concerns for what you believe and feel. Listen to others who have more experience than you, ask for help and guidance along the way, and most importantly, adjust and adapt your objectives to meet your new found reality. by @andrewfarny

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6 years ago

Lessons from dirt (3/6):
The feeling you get when riding a bike is incredible. It doesn’t matter the bike or the location, the feeling of effortlessly rolling over country is like no other.

For me personally, I have always enjoyed mountain biking. I like the challenge of pushing my body physically while also focusing on the obstacles quickly approaching my front tire. It’s like an extremely interactive and fast moving puzzle. There are constant adjustments to be made on the fly with regards to your line choice, speed, and balance. However, any overreaction or overcorrection can stop you in your tracks.
There is a certain mindset around biking that makes it feel much more mental than physical for me. Some of the hardest sections of trail can be ridden with just a little more speed, a commitment to not stepping off of the pedals, and a little bit of luck.
Having said that, your mind can be your biggest adversary when attempting to ride something new or slightly above your comfort zone. You can have the skill set and desire to ride a line, but as soon as you second guess yourself and grab the brakes to reconsider, your attempt is stopped before it even began.
With every line, there seems to be a certain mental barrier that needs to be crossed in order to find out what type of rider you really are. A moment of commitment where you accept that there is a chance you end up hooking the bars on that tree or losing traction on that rock which will inevitably lead to an exciting departure from the trail.
It’s in these moments when you discover your true capabilities. Without committing to the experience, you will never know what you are capable of. There’s no shame in walking to avoid riding a section, but sometimes letting off the brakes and letting your tires roll freely is all it takes to reach a deeper understanding of who you are. by @andrewfarny

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7 years ago

Lessons from Sport (2/6): Looking back at my career, there are so many great memories such as playing with a tennis ball on a snow covered rink, watching a teammate fall through some thin ice in the middle of a pond, traveling around to other college towns with 22 of my best friends, spending way too much time playing sewer ball in The Vortex™, and the feeling of excitement and sense of accomplishment after a sweep.

Although there are so many takeaways from hockey that I won’t write about here, the one lesson I am currently learning and understanding is that of perfection. There is no such thing as a perfect season, a perfect game, or even a perfect shift. More importantly, expecting that a performance of that magnitude is in the realm of possibility only makes it that much more unachievable. You can dream of perfection, but once you expect it, anything less will only bring disappointment. I believe that is important to hold yourself accountable to your values and ambitions, but that is it also important to acknowledge where you are, and where you have come from. Transitioning away from hockey, it has never been clearer that dreams are realized and your destination in life is always changing and evolving. As cliché as it is, if you are not enjoying the journey of learning along the way, it will be difficult to find happiness when nearing your destination.

In hockey there is always the next season, just as life is filled with cycles. If you don’t grow and improve upon the skills learned in the previous season or cycle, you will find yourself at the same crossroads in the future. Just as you have teammates in hockey, surround yourself with people in life who believe in your potential and hold you accountable while growing into that. Most importantly, maintain perspective of where you are and where you are headed. There is no such thing as a perfect journey and all roads have potholes. Keep an eye on where you are going, but remember to celebrate where you have come from. I know that the 5 year old playing with a tennis ball in the snow would have been proud of the 23 year old playing in The Broadmoor, but sometimes the 23 year old needs to be reminded of that. by @andrewfarny

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7 years ago

Lessons from water (1/6):
When floating through enchanted canyons, the river eventually falls away, leaving your mind racing, and your ears ringing from the roar of the unknown rapid.
As you pull over to scramble up the walls to a better vantage point, your eyes are drawn to the powerful features of the river. The big holes, the boat-ripping rocks, and the swirling eddy lines looking to disrupt your passage.
Climbing back on the boat, with a plan set in place, you push off from shore and feel the unforgiving power of the water tug at your oars. Following small ripples to guide you over the horizon, your heart races for what’s to come.
As the boat and it’s passengers drift through the chaos and into the tail waters, stories are to be told and celebrations are to be had. If you’re lucky, those celebrations flow onto Tequila Beach. If you’re not, you might find yourself high-fiving on the top of an over-turned boat while looking for floating essentials (soon to become not so essential) that evidently weren’t tied down very well that morning (PSA: camp chairs sink). Sometimes it’s not the biggest or assumed threats that throw you off course. Sometimes it’s the disorientating eddy lines and the surging laterals that turn your world upside down in a flash.
One of the lessons that the river is teaching me is that no matter the size of your boat, the size of the rapid, or the skill of the oarsman (or lack thereof), there is no such thing as a perfect line. It is inevitable to be pushed off course, but it is the ability to continue to face your challenges head on that matters most. Regardless of if you get splashed, or end up swimming, there will always be friends and family waiting in an eddy below ready to celebrate or throw you a line. —

Motivations behind the post-
I’ve found myself at a transitional period in all aspects of life. For the past decade or so, I have prioritized hard work over relationships and large goals over small memories. In the next decade, I hope to find a better balance! by @andrewfarny

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7 years ago

Had a fun time suffering with @jackbburger today. If you don't believe me just look at his face... #firecracker50 #makefannypacksgreatagain by @andrewfarny

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8 years ago

One of the best ways to clean a kitchen table. taken in Westwater, Utah by @andrewfarny

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9 years ago

That feeling after a big win taken in Namche Bazar by @andrewfarny

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10 years ago

"Baseball is the only field of endeavor where a man can succeed three times out of ten and be considered a good performer." ~Ted Williams. I guess I chose the wrong sport... by @andrewfarny

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11 years ago

New journey starts tonight. by @andrewfarny

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11 years ago

Got the adrenaline flowing today with @lukefarny by @andrewfarny

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11 years ago

Dogs don't make good caddies by @andrewfarny

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11 years ago

Good weekend with @benjaminberend #DontTellMyDoctor by @andrewfarny

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11 years ago