The power behind our “WHY”

In 2010, I retired from competition after winning my 2nd Olympic medal at the Vancouver Winter Olympic games, capping off an extremely successful 12 year career as a member of the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team. I was 2 years into a coffee business, Silver Bean Coffee, I started with my fiance, Matt, in 2008. I was set to get married to the love of my life on 10/10/10. Sponsors and companies were calling to leverage the success I had as an athlete.  Everything in my life seemed absolutely perfect and looked like I was going to transition away from sport and into “real life” flawlessly.

However, one year later I found myself slipping into a depression. As a competitor, every day I had gotten out of bed with a sole focus: being the best mogul skier in the world and bringing home Olympic Gold. Without that focus, I was lost. I felt confused, alone, vulnerable and most of all, I felt embarrassed. Embarrassed that even with all of the success I had in athletics that I was failing in the “real world.”  The coffee business I started wasn’t fulfilling and wasn’t giving me the daily satisfaction I craved. I felt like my world was spiraling out of control.

Then, on a fateful day in July 2011 one of my Olympic freestyle teammates, Jeret “Speedy” Peterson, died by suicide. I knew that Speedy had dealt with depression, alcoholism and childhood trauma. But never, in my wildest dreams did I think that Speedy would take his own life. Especially after winning silver in the Vancouver Olympic Games. Clearly Speedy had been suffering from some of the same feelings of loss and disillusionment that I had been struggling through.

Right then and there, I decided I would do something to give retiring athletes a “what’s next” job. Something that would create community for athletes not only to support one another, but something that would also provide a platform for them to share what they learned during their Olympic journey. A continued chance for these athletes to inspire greatness in others.

Over the next several years I worked with a lot of corporations and was always struck by the lack of movement & activity people were doing on a daily basis. Workers were constantly sitting and staring at screens (phones, computers or presentations). But most shockingly was the lack of authentic interaction and fun that team members had with one another. 

One day in 2016, I was at the park pushing my daughter Zoe on a swing when all of the sudden it hit me: that the name of the company I needed to start was Team Empower Hour and I needed to start it NOW.  I would hire only Olympians, give them a platform to share their story and best practices to inspire others, but most importantly do this by bringing movement and authentic interactions with leaders and teams in the corporate world.

And so, Team Empower Hour was born! Since that time we have traveled the globe giving a new beginning to several “retired” Olympians, inspiring Corporate America through movement and empowering them to turn our Olympic Success into their very own Corporate Victory!

Teamwork truly does make the dream work!!

Shannon Bahrke Happe
Founder & Chief Inspirational Olympian

GIVING BACK

We are so thankful that people are becoming more aware of how to discuss mental health issues. One in four people will struggle at one point or another with mental health issues.

Words can never describe how much we miss Speedy on a daily basis, so we must continue to fight his fight. We must do our best to prevent suicide, promote conversations to end stigma and support mental health education!

To learn more, to donate or become involved please visit https://www.thespeedyfoundation.org.

IN THE CASE OF A LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCY, IMMEDIATELY CALL 911.

IF YOU ARE IN CRISIS, OR HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT A LOVED ONE, CALL THE SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE AT 1-800-273-TALK (8255).