Who doesn’t love feeling competent and skilled at whatever activity they are engaged in? Until about 16 months ago, I felt like I had reached a point in my life where I felt fairly competent at most of my life’s activities. I’ve been flying military and civilian aircraft for more than 20 years, and felt pretty adept at my skills as a pilot. I’ve been climbing and guiding for several years, and felt pretty confident in my skills as a mountaineer, and I spent a winter ski patrolling full-time, which allowed me to really improve my skiing skills.

Everything changed when I tore my ACL. Leading up to and for several months after my surgery, the only thing I could do that I felt competent at was read! As an athlete, my main source of stress-relief has always been exercise.  Suddenly, I was not only unable to run, but couldn’t even walk without crutches.  I had to open my mind to a whole new set of activities, and the lack of competency I experienced at every turn was frustrating to say the least.

Looking back, however, I have gained a new appreciation for the feeling of learning something new. When we are very young, everything is new. We don’t know what it feels like to be competent, so being patient with ourselves and taking time to adapt to a new skill is normal. Once we get older and gain a certain level of skill at particular activities, I think we naturally gravitate toward what we feel comfortable and good about doing, and avoid activities that make us feel less adequate.

During the last 16 months, I have tried several new things (swimming, knitting, learning to fly remote control aircraft, box jumps, double-unders, kipping pull-ups, archery), and even achieved a certain level of competency at some.  I think this renewed appreciation for delving into the unknown has encouraged me to try even more new things. Instead of shying away from something I feel like I can’t do well, I face new tasks with a sense of confidence and wonder!

What is it that you would try if you knew you would be good at it? I say, “Go out and get good at it!”

Denver Art Museum

Photo by Daniel Madson

JanSport sent some packs for the team to test out. People loved the colors and the size, as well as the new fixed lid feature.

In 1996, when Ryan Levinson was 24 years old, the San Diego-based athlete was diagnosed with an incurable and progressive form of muscular dystrophy known as FSHD. Doctors told him strenuous exercise would worsen his condition. He didn’t listen. Instead, the now 38-year-old continued doing what he loved: sailing, kiteboarding, diving, kayaking, paddleboarding, and surfing. Last December, Outside named Levinson their Reader of the Year and Chief Inspiration Officer for 2011.

Learn more about Ryan at The Outside Blog.

We are thrilled to welcome Ryan to our athlete team of Be Outdoors contributors!

This mantra was the theme of the training course I recently attended in Rock Mountain National Park. Back home in Washington, now able to reflect on the Alpine Guides course I am thankful for the resources at our fingertips here in the Northwest. We have survived a rigorous ten days of climbing, learning, and sharing experience.  The last ten days has taught me much about myself, my abilities, and areas I need to improve.  I am incredibly lucky to work for the people that I do.  The guiding industry is rapidly maturing and evolving.  In order to be on the forefront of that movement we must all continue to learn and grow in our daily endeavors.  By immersing myself in this training program I hope to supplement my involvement in the progressive movement of the guiding industry as a whole.

JanSport will be at the 10^th annual Teva Mountain Games, the country’s largest celebration of adventure sports, art, music and the mountain lifestyle , Friday, June 3 through Sunday, June 5 in Vail, Colorado. Professional and amateur outdoor adventure athletes from around the world will converge upon the mountains and rivers of Vail to compete in eight sports and 23 disciplines for more than $100,000 in prize money!

Visit the JanSport booth in Gear Town to demo the new Cloud Ripper Series packs, receive limited edition Teva Mountain Games patches by JanSport, and sign up for a guided hike with local guiding service, Beaver Creek Hiking Center.

Also, stop by to learn more about the JanSport What’s Your Outdoors contest, a video contest that asks participants to film a 360degree view of their favorite outdoor spot for a chance to win $10,000! Learn more about the contest at www.jansport.com/whatsyouroutdoors.

For more information about the Tevan Mountain Games, visit www.tevamountaingames.com.

Read the full article on ESPN.com HERE.