Patagonia has just launched a podcast, Patagonia Stories. In each episode,

host our Chana Rom will explore how we gather knowledge and ask questions about our relationship

to each other in the natural world. Questions like, how are lessons passed down through generations

to help us feel at home? What barriers prevent us from acquiring natural wisdom? How can we adapt

in the face for rapidly changing climate? There's so much more to come. You can find the first season

of Patagonia Stories wherever you get your podcasts.

You're listening to The Derback Dary, a production of Duck Tape Then Beer, with additional support from

Kuat Racks because you love your bike, athletic greens, the daily drink for healthier you,

and kicking horse coffee, wake up and kick ass.

In college, I flew through my days, checking off each planner item as it wizzed by. I squeezed in

cycling intervals between class and powered through hours of studying. I bike raced almost every weekend

for my professional team or for the university.

Slowing down or deviating from the plan in front of me didn't feel like an option.

When I felt uncomfortable or started to question the frantic pace of my life, I hit the pedals even harder.

For years, this havoc worked. I won races, got the grades I expected of myself, worked,

conducted research, all at top speed.

In the fall of my sophomore year, amongst emails about assignments and grades, my grandmother's

name popped up. Her email subject line read, interested in silent meditation retreat over new years?

I was not interested in a silent meditation retreat. I continued checking off homework lists in

my planner as her email bumped down my inbox. The following week, my grandmother's name appeared

again, scholarship available for young people at silent meditation retreat. I continued cooking

dinner but did feel the nudge of competition to apply for a scholarship, even if it was to a silent

...