I’ve been a Dad now for 15 months. There have been a handful of proud moments along this journey. This weekend was one of the proudest yet.
Skiing runs deep in my family. My grandfather was the Founding Father of Snow Valley Race Club and was responsible for taking kids all over California to ski race. Later, he opened a ski haus in Austria to push US skiers into European ski culture and was responsible for influencing successful US ski racers for decades to follow.
Inevitably, my Dad grew up competitively ski racing along with his 3 brothers. The Hoffman boys were a force on the slopes. My Dad made the Mammoth Mountain Elite Ski Team after high school and found early success in downhill racing that resulted in a NCAA Division 1 ski scholarship. He skied on a full-ride for 4 years as the #1 ranked slalom skier. After he graduated, he skied professionally before settling down to start a family.
My parents started me on skis at a young age, but luckily growing up in LA there was no real pressure around it all. Mostly family ski trips, college days with friends and of course, trying to keep up with my Dad (still to this day!).. Nonetheless, I’ve always felt the inherited connection to the sport of skiing.
My better half and insanely athletic wife, Sally, also grew up skiing at a young age. On our first ski trip together, I knew she was wife material and my father would definitely approve. In fact, when he saw her ski for the first time, he said, “She skis fall line perfectly. No one in your generation skis like that anymore.”
Fast forward a few years to this weekend. Sally and I got to pass the torch to our son, Owen. At just 15 months old, he stood up tall over his skis, between my legs, headed downhill with the wind in his face, laughing uncontrollably with the excitement that skiing gives us all. It was pure. It was emotional. I was thinking about my grandfather. I know he would be so proud to see another generation of Hoffmans discover the love of skiing that he had based so much of his life around.
It was a special weekend and I’m a proud Dad. Nothing beats this hustle. It’s not easy, but it’s so damn rewarding. Excited to rip turns with my son soon!
Happy 1st Birthday to my son! I cannot believe it’s been a year since you’ve arrived into our lives. It has been the most rewarding and most challenging year of my life - balancing being a Dad and Husband, maintaining relationships, launching a new business, continuing to travel and finding personal time to keep myself sane.. what a ride it’s been. “Long days, shorts years”.. I understand that saying now. My only wish is that time slows down, or that I simply become more present to make it feel that way. My son, I love you with my whole heart. I’m so proud of the little guy you’ve already become. Thank you for all of the special moments, the challenges, the laughs and the tears. I’m beyond motivated to be the absolute best Father and role model for you, and I’m so excited for our journey ahead. Step into your power child!
It’s not about the manifestation, it’s about the manifesting. It’s not about the creation, it’s about the creating. Enjoy the journey, trust the process. 🤙🏽
My Dad taught me how to sail, among a thousand other things and today (my first Father’s Day) I was thinking a lot about fatherhood and sailing, how similar they are in so many ways. Some days you’re sailing down wind with not a care in the world, moving fast and headed directly where you need to be. But a lot of days are sailing into the wind, working hard on every tack, hoping to find the perfect reach and taking twice as long to get to where you want to arrive. But what I love about both is that whichever way you are headed, it’s a beautiful effort that is equally rewarding. Being a dad has been the most amazing journey so far. Some days are easy, some are hard but no matter what, the effort is beyond worth it. Thanks Dad for setting the standard high and teaching me everything I know about being a father. I can’t wait to teach Owen how to sail someday.
