Meet Sean Busby, snowboarder since 12 years old who competed since 14. And he also lives with type 1 diabetes.
“I started snowboarding when I was 12 years old. Growing up in Southern California, beach sports should have been my thing. But for some reason, I was attracted to the mountains. A friend introduced me to the sport and I instantly loved it, even though the mountains were more than two hours away from my home. After a lot of pleading, my father would let me leave school early so I could practice in the mountains, and I would train until 10 p.m., squeezing in homework during the long drive home, and finally going to sleep after midnight.
By age of 14, my dad challenged me to compete. I excelled in the competition scene and began to pick up my first sponsors. Two years later, I was given the opportunity to go professional with snowboard racing. I relocated to Whistler, British Columbia to train, compete and ride professionally. I then relocated to Steamboat Springs, Colorado after I graduated high school to train further. It was there that I was diagnosed with T1D,” stated Sean Busby, fitalissa.com.
He considered leaving snowboarding all together, but was inspired by reading stories he found through JDRF’s Children’s Congress. It was the stories of 5- 7- and 13-year-olds that inspired him to keep living his dreams despite living with diabetes. So, he founded Riding on Insulin —which is now a nonprofit organization—to honor all the kids who inspired him to keep living.
“I volunteered at a diabetes summer camp called Bearskin Meadows to learn more and to be around others who were just like me. It was amazing. The kids and the other staff there were so helpful. I learned a huge amount about how to deal with the “new me,” and I’ll never forget the time I spent with the campers there. Somehow, after the worst three months of my life, I was feeling grateful. I was so inspired by those kids at camp and from the JDRF congress that I found the courage to continue snowboarding. I eventually got back on the pro tour, competing (and winning) competitions,” stated Sean Busby
In 2011, Sean married Mollie and two years later they made the move to Montana. They bought some property on foreclosure and built a yurt.
Yes, you hear that right – yurt! Sean and Mollie are living in yurt!
“Moving up to Montana was all about getting out of the crowded backcountry scene. And getting into an area where we have access to the Canadian Rockies,” stated Sean Busby.
Does it look fascinating? Would you exchange all those comforts of modern life and move close to the nature?
Besides RidingOnInsulin, the couple runs together Yoga Hive which represents spirituality, celebration and community. Just as the bumblebee visits a hive to store nourishment and cultivate a family, the Whitefish, Montana community congregates at Yoga Hive in the same way.
You can read more about Sean and Mollie on their website: TheBusbyHive . And it’s really amazing example of people helping each other, giving others and enjoying life in spite of the challenges!
