Podcasts about loppet foundation

A chemical engineer turned community development organizer, Anthony Taylor shares the career journey that led him to founding Melanin in Motion, a Community Wellness Center program that connects children of color—and their families – with active pursuits like skiing, cycling, kayaking. Melanin in Motion was a Twin Cities Business 2024 Community Impact Award winner. “I noticed my white friends, when they think about preparing their kids for law school, they're putting them in the woods. That's the secret for making more lawyers,” Taylor says. “I want all communities to realize the benefits of municipal, state, federal investment in natural places that can show up in children being resilient, confident, and collaborative.” Taylor talks about how working for successful Minnesota wellness companies, Life Time and Aveda, helped him become a well rounded leader, and what he learned from his own startups, Spa One and Simply Organic Beauty, that led him to shift course and work for the Loppet Foundation and as president of equity outdoors for the YMCA of the North. “Melanin in Motion really is the culmination of that idea, where we see culture as an asset,” Taylor says. He also gives us a preview of his next venture: RiverNorth Development Partners, a social impact development group that is working to create a business district in North Minneapolis that prioritizes “equity driven employers” that agree to create skilled jobs for area residents who have been marginalized. Ion Aerospace is first to sign on, with plans to open on West Broadway in 2025. Following our conversation with Taylor, we go Back to the Classroom with the University of St. Thomas Schulze School of Entrepreneurship where associate professor Alex Johnson teaches entrepreneurship. He talks about the pros and cons of starting a venture on your own versus within a larger organization, and explains the difference between an inventor and an innovator. “Inventors create things. Innovators identify the problem, the value, and build a solution.”

Leann Bentley is the Press Officer/Attaché for the Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team and Communications Manager at U.S. Ski & Snowboard. Based in Park City, Utah, Leann has been with the team for almost two years and is inspired daily by the incredible athletes and staff, pushing her to keep raising the bar and doing what she can to elevate the sport and athletes to new levels. Originally from Wyoming, Leann finds happiness when outside in the mountains, whether it be skiing, running, biking, climbing, hiking – and loves a good, loud laugh. Get involved and support the show and more sports media for women through https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hearher Find all episodes http://www.hearhersports.com/ Find Hear Her Sports on all social @hearhersports Find Leann Bentley on IG at https://www.instagram.com/leannbentley/ Find the The Loppet Foundation at https://www.loppet.org/ Find Share Winter Foundation at https://sharewinterfoundation.org/

We caught up quickly with Claire Wilson, lead organizer of the Minneapolis World Cup and head of the Loppet Foundation, to get a sense of what's going on in the lead-up to the racing.We'll have more podcasts this weekend. We also set a time for our live show: Come hear us and join in at Utepils Brewing, 225 Thomas Ave N #700 in Minneapolis. It's at 4 p.m. Sunday, after the last race of the day. Spread the word and see you there.

It seems like winter is keeping us on our toes this year. After an unusually warm and wet January, those of us in the central and southern part of the state woke up to as much as seven inches of fresh snow this morning. It's the biggest accumulation of the winter so far. And for many of us, the snow is a welcome sight, especially for organizers of the Cross Country World Cup, happening this weekend at Theodore Wirth Park. The course had been filled with artificial snow, but now it will have the real stuff. MPR Meteorologist Sven Sundgaard joined MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer to talk about snow total and how long the snow will stick around, along with Claire Wilson, the executive director of the Loppet Foundation.

The COOP FIS Cross-Country World Cup is coming to Minneapolis in February 2024! The world's best athletes in cross-country skiing will race in the first world cup race to be held on U.S. soil in twenty years and the Loppet Foundation is amped to bring the world to Wirth. Inspiration is everywhere in Theodore Wirth Park. Come explore world-class ski trails in the heart of the city we love.DatesSaturday, February 17, 2024Sunday, February 18, 2024Monday, February 19, 2024Check it out here: https://loppetcup.com/ 

Henry Lake talks with Loppet Foundation Executive Director Claire Wilson about the World Cup this weekend, the challenges they've faced, Jessie Diggins influence, the help they want to provide and more. For more information, visit their website, https://loppetcup.com/

Who would've thought we'd crave snow this much? These snowless, gloomy days have us yearning for a snowy wonderland.Well, fear not! Claire Wilson, the powerhouse leading the Loppet Foundation, is here to wipe away those tears and tell you to put on your snow pants. Her team has transformed Theodore Wirth Park into a winter paradise. You heard that right—snow in Minnesota, right now!They've meticulously covered the trails, so grab those cross-country skis and glide through the winter wonderland. Or maybe indulge in some adrenaline with your family—zooming down snowy slopes.The Loppet isn't just about snow; they're bringing us the World Cup (the skiing one, not the soccer showdown), the enchanting Luminary Loppet (it's practically pure magic), plus a mix of artsy and nature-centric programs that'll keep your winter calendar jam-packed.Finally, a request from We Do This For Fun. Unseasonably warm weather has thrown a curveball at the Loppet Foundation, especially in preparing for this year's World Cup. If your family is thinking about end-of-year charitable contributions, I urge you to consider making a tax-deductible donation to The Loppet Foundation. Your support will directly help them tackle the hurdles posed by the weather and ensure both a successful World Cup and a fantastic 2024 season.Your generosity won't just impact The Loppet; it'll ripple through our community. These humans support youth development programs in Mountain Biking, Nordic sports, and Running.To chip in or discover more about The Loppet Foundation, hop over to https://www.loppet.org and hit "Make a Donation."Now, go summon your snow angels, and dive into winter at Theodore Wirth Park, courtesy of the Loppet Foundation.Luminary Loppet, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2024 (Tickets are available at https://www.loppet.org/events/luminary).COOP FIS Cross-Country World Cup Minneapolis (Loppet Cup), Saturday, February 17- Monday, February 19, 2024 (Check out: https://loppetcup.com for the details)For all things Loppet visit: https://www.loppet.org/Facebook: @loppetInsta: @loppetfoundation

Minnesota has a lot of grassroots groups getting into the grass and into the roots.MPR News host Angela Davis and two Minnesotans who are helping others experience the joys of the outdoors and the health benefits. Spending time in nature can improve mood, emotional health, mental health, attention and memory. And getting outside doesn't have to look like a week-long portaging trip, either.A simple walk, sitting in your yard or even just looking outside can potentially have health benefits.Guests:Asha Shoffner is the environmental and outdoor education coordinator for Saint Paul Parks and Recreation. She's the founder of Fiwygin Outdoors, an acronym for fit in where you get in (pronounced “fusion.”) The group is for people who are underrepresented in outdoor spaces. She's also the founder of BIPOC Outdoors Twin Cities, a Facebook group of around 2,000 people who host outdoor experiences and workshops for BIPOC people in Minnesota. Lynnea Atlas Ingebretson is the diversity, equity and inclusion officer at Girl Scouts River Valleys. She's on Minnesota's Department of Natural Resources Advisory Committee and Minnesota's Parks and Trails Legacy Advisory Committee. She spends her free time teaching cross-country skiing and snowboarding, and leading hikes year-round with the Loppet Foundation, Melanin In Motion and Girl Scouts.Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or RSS. Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.  

Minnesota has a lot of grassroots groups getting into the grass and into the roots. MPR News host Angela Davis speaks with two Minnesotans who are helping others experience the joys of the outdoors and the health benefits.  Spending time in nature can improve mood, emotional health, mental health, attention and memory. Getting outside doesn't have to look like a week-long portaging trip, either. A simple walk, sitting in your yard or even just looking outside can potentially have health benefits.  Guests: Asha Shoffner is the environmental and outdoor education coordinator for Saint Paul Parks and Recreation. She's the founder of Fiwygin Outdoors, an acronym for fit in where you get in (pronounced “fusion.”) The group is for people who are underrepresented in outdoor spaces. She's also the founder of BIPOC Outdoors Twin Cities, a Facebook group of around 2,000 people who host outdoor experiences and workshops for BIPOC people in Minnesota.  Lynnea Atlas Ingebretson is the diversity, equity and inclusion officer at Girl Scouts River Valleys. She's on Minnesota's Department of Natural Resources Advisory Committee and Minnesota's Parks and Trails Legacy Advisory Committee. She spends her free time teaching cross-country skiing and snowboarding, and leading hikes year-round with the Loppet Foundation, Melanin In Motion and Girl Scouts. Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.  Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.   

Minnesota has a lot of grassroots groups getting into the grass and into the roots.MPR News host Angela Davis speaks with two Minnesotans who are helping others experience the joys of the outdoors and the health benefits. Spending time in nature can improve mood, emotional health, mental health, attention and memory.Getting outside doesn't have to look like a week-long portaging trip, either.A simple walk, sitting in your yard or even just looking outside can potentially have health benefits. Guests:Asha Shoffner is the environmental and outdoor education coordinator for Saint Paul Parks and Recreation. She's the founder of Fiwygin Outdoors, an acronym for fit in where you get in (pronounced “fusion.”) The group is for people who are underrepresented in outdoor spaces. She's also the founder of BIPOC Outdoors Twin Cities, a Facebook group of around 2,000 people who host outdoor experiences and workshops for BIPOC people in Minnesota. Lynnea Atlas Ingebretson is the diversity, equity and inclusion officer at Girl Scouts River Valleys. She's on Minnesota's Department of Natural Resources Advisory Committee and Minnesota's Parks and Trails Legacy Advisory Committee. She spends her free time teaching cross-country skiing and snowboarding, and leading hikes year-round with the Loppet Foundation, Melanin In Motion and Girl Scouts.Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or RSS. Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.   

Susie Jones is in as this edition's guest host. ISAIAH MN organizer Brian Fullman discusses the State Supreme Court's decision regarding felons and restoring their rights to voting. Claire Wilson from The Loppet Foundation tells us about the excitement around an area park hosting a world-class event.

The Twin Cities will have the chance to host a group of world-class athletes after missing out on the same opportunity a few years ago.  Golden Valley's Theodore Wirth Park will host a World Cup cross-country skiing event next year, the first such event held in the U.S. since 2001.  The Loppet Foundation executive director Claire Wilson explains how the area earned this chance after losing a similar one in 2020 (due to the pandemic).

Back at our favorite spot, the Trailhead at Theodore Wirth Park we catch up with Executive Director of the Loppet Foundation, Claire Wilson. Updates from the Foundation including an invitation to visit the Trailhead for tubing, cross country skiing and fat biking or to sip a hot beverage and play indoor games. But what you're really looking for are the tips and tricks for experiencing the Luminary Loppet and City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival. Skijoring, Kubb, nordic ski races and a lake of luminaries all in the heart of Minneapolis. Find your snow pants- you've got Minnesota winter events to attend!

Setting foot outside your home in the middle of a Minnesota winter might make you want to run back indoors and hibernate until it warms up. But there's a group of people who don't hide from the wind — instead, they look for it. They wait for a fresh blanket of snow or hard freeze to thicken the ice on a lake so they can safely venture on to it. There are people who enjoy winter, and Minnesota has a lot to offer them. MPR News guest host Dan Kraker talks about why you might want to plan an outdoor excursion during the coldest months of the year.   We'll learn about the outdoor activities that have a short window of opportunity, limited to just six weeks out the year for winter conditions to be just right. MPR News reporters share their stories from Winter Play — a series exploring how Minnesotans play outside during winter.  Winter Play! Ice climbing, dogsledding and fat tire biking Guests:  Randy Carlson is a snow kiting co-coordinator at the University of Minnesota Duluth recreational sports outdoor program.  Claire Wilson is the executive director for The Loppet Foundation in Minneapolis. Kirsti Marohn is a correspondent in MPR News' Collegeville bureau. Regina Medina is an MPR News correspondent for the race, class and communities team. Amy Felegy is an associate digital producer and reporter in MPR News' Moorhead bureau. Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.  Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.   

Minnesota is a state blessed with abundant outdoor spaces. Pristine lakes, rocky shores, towering pines, dancing prairies, there is a never-ending, always-changing kaleidoscope of nature that beckons us to explore.   But not everyone feels welcome.   Historically, outdoor recreation has been a white, wealthy, able-bodied and male-dominated realm. Here in Minnesota, about 20 percent of Minnesotans identify as people of color. But according to a Department of Natural Resources study, people of color make up only five percent of state park visitors.   What can be done to encourage all Minnesotans to enjoy our rich landscape? Is there a way to make communities of color feel safe and welcome in traditionally white outdoor spaces? What kind of innovative programs are already addressing this disparity?   Outside in MN Duluth groups push to make outdoor sports more diverse Angela Davis Minnesota looks to address disparities in outdoor recreation APM Research Lab How Minnesotans feel about local parks and other outdoor recreation areas On August 31, at a special In Focus, live at the Minnesota State Fair, MPR News host Twila Dang tackled these questions and more with two outdoor equity experts. Guests: Anthony Taylor works tirelessly to connect Black people and communities of color to nature-based outdoor experiences and active living. He has led equitable outdoors efforts as Adventures Director for the Loppet Foundation and as SVP Equity Outdoors for YMCA of the North. He continues this work to make Minnesota's green spaces welcoming and accessible to all through his work at the Met Council, The Cultural Wellness Center and various other municipal, state and community partners.  Asha Shoffner is an educator, adventurer, disrupter, auntie and the founder of Fiwygin Outdoors and the BIPOC Outdoors Twin Cities Facebook group. Asha also works for the city of Saint Paul as an environmental and outdoor education coordinator.  To listen to the full conversation you can use the audio player above. Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.

Minnesota is a state blessed with abundant outdoor spaces. Pristine lakes, rocky shores, towering pines, dancing prairies, there is a never-ending, always-changing kaleidoscope of nature that beckons us to explore.   But not everyone feels welcome.   Historically, outdoor recreation has been a white, wealthy, able-bodied and male-dominated realm. Here in Minnesota, about 20 percent of Minnesotans identify as people of color. But according to a Department of Natural Resources study, people of color make up only five percent of state park visitors.   What can be done to encourage all Minnesotans to enjoy our rich landscape? Is there a way to make communities of color feel safe and welcome in traditionally white outdoor spaces? What kind of innovative programs are already addressing this disparity?   Outside in MN Duluth groups push to make outdoor sports more diverse Angela Davis Minnesota looks to address disparities in outdoor recreation APM Research Lab How Minnesotans feel about local parks and other outdoor recreation areas On August 31, at a special In Focus, live at the Minnesota State Fair, MPR News host Twila Dang tackled these questions and more with two outdoor equity experts. Guests: Anthony Taylor works tirelessly to connect Black people and communities of color to nature-based outdoor experiences and active living. He has led equitable outdoors efforts as Adventures Director for the Loppet Foundation and as SVP Equity Outdoors for YMCA of the North. He continues this work to make Minnesota's green spaces welcoming and accessible to all through his work at the Met Council, The Cultural Wellness Center and various other municipal, state and community partners.  Asha Shoffner is an educator, adventurer, disrupter, auntie and the founder of Fiwygin Outdoors and the BIPOC Outdoors Twin Cities Facebook group. Asha also works for the city of Saint Paul as an environmental and outdoor education coordinator.  To listen to the full conversation you can use the audio player above. Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.

Trail EAffect Episode 71 Dustin Schiltz and drtpdlrs   The Dustin Schiltz Back Story How a mountain bike coaching certification for his professional life lead Dustin into a totally different direction in life How the genesis of drt pdlrs came to be Loppet Foundation Minnesota as a leader in Mountain Biking Dustin and Enduro Racing / why he likes it Giants Ridge as a venue The Journey of Starting drt pdlrs Where drt pdlrs is going in 2022 All-inclusive adventures Making it easy to get kids to more riding destinations Wilderness First Responder Certification Shortage of Wilderness First Responders Instructors Coaching Certifications, what the BICP and PMBIA is and the differences between those certifications. PMBIA BICP The importance of skills and coaching even as adults Famous Failure Mountain Bike Communities according to Dustin Copper Harbor, MI Closing Comments by Dustin #Futureshred Links: drt pdlrs: https://www.drtpdlrs.com/ Loppet Foundation: https://www.loppet.org/ Bicycle Instructor Certification Program: https://icp.bike/ Professional Mountain Bike Instructors Association: https://www.facebook.com/pmbiassociation/ https://pmbia.org/ This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services   Trail EAffect Show Support: Giants Ridge: https://www.giantsridge.com/ Ride the Range: https://www.ridetherange.com/ Evolution Trail Services: www.evotrails.com Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com

Join Laura Schara and learn about all the work the Loppet Foundation does to introduce kids to the outdoors, how you can get involved, as well as the BIG family friendly winter event coming up February 5th!Supported by: Hewitt Docks, Lifts & Pontoon Legs (https://www.hewittrad.com/,) Thousand Hills Lifetime Grazed – (https://thousandhillslifetimegrazed.com/,) Kinetico (https://www.kinetico.com/,) Minnesota Propane Association “Clean American Energy” (https://propane.com/,) & Star Bank (https://www.starbank.net/)

Join Laura Schara and learn about all the work the Loppet Foundation does to introduce kids to the outdoors, how you can get involved, as well as the BIG family friendly winter event coming up February 5th!Supported by: Hewitt Docks, Lifts & Pontoon Legs (https://www.hewittrad.com/,) Thousand Hills Lifetime Grazed – (https://thousandhillslifetimegrazed.com/,) Kinetico (https://www.kinetico.com/,) Minnesota Propane Association “Clean American Energy” (https://propane.com/,) & Star Bank (https://www.starbank.net/)

First things first. How do you pronounce “Loppet”?! The Loppet Foundation's Executive Director, Claire Wilson, gives us the official answer. Claire talks about the organization's mission to get kids and adults outside. From youth programs at Theodore Wirth Park to community events like the Luminary Loppet to training for Olympic-hopefuls, they've brought it all here to Minneapolis. Claire is also a badass in her own right, which we happily discuss. Enjoy the episode and support The Loppet!

In early July, the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation announced the launch of the Team Birkie professional racing team. The elite post-graduate training group would pull from the three primary midwestern clubs, the Loppet Foundation, Central Cross Country Skiing (or CXC), and the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation. While the midwest has a strong culture of cross country skiing with a breadth of strong youth and masters racing teams, it has been nearly a decade since the area has had a consistent robust training group that could support athletes at the elite level. In their words, this program fills this gap to allow “the next Jessie Diggins [to] stay home to train, inspire future generations, and win Olympic medals.”Team Birkie will be based from the Trailhead at Wirth Park in Minneapolis, headquarters of The Loppet Foundation, and led by Head Coach Caitlin Gregg, who has spent her own career training in the area alongside her husband and fellow professional ski racer Brian Gregg. The duo -- known as Team Gregg -- forged their own path to the upper echelon of the domestic and international cross country race scene, gaining experience in writing their own training and supporting their careers along the way. [Find Team Gregg on a 2017 episode of Nordic Nation here.]For those unfamiliar with Caitlin, her resume spans more than a decade of elite level ski racing; Caitlin earned her first World Cup starts in Vancouver in 2009 and was slated to start at the Minneapolis World Cup and Canmore World Cup finals in March 2020 before they were cancelled because of the impending pandemic. Those recent starts would have been just over a year after the birth of her daughter, Heidi, who is now two and a half years old and can regularly be found tagging along for her parents training. She is a 2015 World Championship Bronze Medalist, a 2010 Olympian, and a 5 time winner of the American Birkie. Caitlin was also a member of five World Championship teams and won eight National Championship titles, with several more podium finishes. Gregg is also no stranger to disappointment; there have also been near misses for team selection, as was the case for the 2014 Olympics in Sochi and when the 2016 US Ski team nominations rolled out.While she does not yet consider herself retired as an athlete, this transition to leading the charge and growing Team Birkie does mark a shift in the focus of her overall ski career, as we discuss in this conversation. Caitlin also speaks to the evolution of the concept behind Team Birkie and the structure of the training group for the upcoming season. She is now one of only two female coaches at her level in the US -- alongside Pepa Miloucheva of the Craftsbury Green Racing Project -- and the only mother. Caitlin discusses the support this requires, and how her career as a whole has provided ample insights that allow her to be a role model for her athletes. You can find Caitlin on Instagram @Caitlincgregg (with two G's) and follow along with Team Birkie at @teambirkie. Thanks for listening.

Time in nature is powerful. It’s healing. It fosters community. Humanity’s connective tissue, it shows you who you are and what you’re capable of becoming.The outdoors has played a transformational role in my personal evolution. In almost every way I am a different, better human because I make copious use of the untouched natural spaces available to me—spaces I access freely and have long taken for granted.However, the uncomfortable truth is that outdoor parks (nature in general) are places where historically not everyone has been entirely welcome.This is a paradigm we must diligently work to dismantle.It’s also the spark that illuminates the work of Anthony Taylor—an extraordinary human who has spent his life advocating for greater participation and access to outdoor environments, and the second guest to appear in my continuing series of conversations from my week in Minneapolis.The former Commissioner for Minneapolis’ Parks & Open Spaces and current Senior Vice President of Equity, Outdoors & Nature for YMCA of the North, Anthony is—at 62 years old—the very model of anti-aging. A skier, paddler, accomplished ultra-cyclist and overall outdoors enthusiast, Anthony serves on the League of American Bicyclists Equity Advisory Board as well as the board of the National Brotherhood of Skiers. He is also the founder of the Major Taylor Bicycling Club of Minnesota and the co-founder of Cool Meets Cause, an outreach program that teaches girls from North Minneapolis to snowboard. And he served as the Adventure Director for the Loppet Foundation—a program that provides year-round outdoor activities for youth in Minneapolis.This is a conversation about the nature of outdoor recreation to empower, enliven, and inspire.It’s a walk through Anthony’s origin story. And it’s an exploration of his love of nature and his accomplishments as a cyclist and adventurer.But the focus of this exchange is placed on Anthony’s important work as an activist and youth educator.It’s a history lesson on race, class, privilege, and gender in the outdoors. And the many ways we can eradicate the invisible boundaries that exist in these spaces today.Certain transformative lessons can only be learned through adventure—lessons imperative to youth development and deeper connection to our own innate humanity.Put bluntly, outdoor sports and time spent in nature aren’t just recreation—they are human rights.I guarantee this conversation will positively impact you in ways you may not expect. My hope is that it will help foster ways you can advance greater outdoor inclusivity within your community along the way.To read more click here. You can also watch our exchange on YouTube. And as always, the podcast streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Special thanks to talented Minneapolis local photographers/videographers Bennie Wilson and Jordan Lundell for portraits & an upcoming video we are working on.Anthony is the leader we all need now. And this conversation is definitely a fave.Peace + Plants,Listen, Watch & SubscribeApple Podcasts | YouTube | Spotify | Stitcher | Google PodcastsThanks to this week’s sponsorsTen Thousand: The world’s most durable training shorts, built for your needs and designed for performance. I recently partnered with Ten Thousand to help create their new Distance Kit which is hands down the best training attire I’ve ever worn. Save 15% OFF with the promo code “RICHROLL” at tenthousand.ccAthletic Greens: 75 whole food sourced ingredients designed to optimize 5 key areas of health, Athletic Greens is the delicious daily habit that sets you up for a healthy future. I take the packets everywhere I go. Invest in your health without compromise! Go to: athleticgreens.com/richroll to get a FREE year supply of Vitamin D ​AND​ 5 free travel packs​ with your first purchase.Joovv: Enhance your health, recovery, and sleep with Joovv light therapy. Discover the science of light therapy and how it can help you reach your health & fitness goals at Joovv.com/RICHROLL. You’ll see a unique code that will provide a discount on your device, exclusions apply. Happy Joovvin’!Whoop: The world’s most powerful fitness tracker. Get smarter about how you sleep, recover, and train, so you can unlock your best self. Go to WHOOP.com and use the promo code Richroll at checkout to save 15% off WHOOP.SHOW NOTESConnect with Anthony: Instagram | TwitterThe League of American Bicyclists: Equity Advisory CouncilYMCA of the North: Leadership TeamNational Brotherhood of Skiers: nbs.orgMajor Taylor Bicycling Club of MinnesotaESPN: The Story of Marshall ‘Major’ Taylor [VIDEO]Snow Industry News: Cool Meets CauseDiversify Outdoors: AboutOutdoor Afro: AboutBearfoot Theory: 15 Organizations Advancing Diversity OutdoorsMen’s Journal: Meet the Minneapolis Parks and Open Space Commissioner Using the Outdoors to Fight for Racial JusticeStar Tribune: Twin Cities outdoors advocate says recreation can be form of racial healingStar Tribune: My Outdoor Life: Loppet’s Anthony Taylor bridges activity and advocacyStar Tribune: Minneapolis approves plan to revitalize the main corridor of the historically Black South SideStar Tribune: Twin Cities outdoors advocate says recreation can be form of racial healingYMCA: A Conversation On Race With Anthony TaylorBike League: Anthony Taylor: Bicycling & EquityVerve: Anthony Taylor – Slow RollUniversity of Minnesota: Slow & SteadyKARE 11: YMCA offering overnight camps, field trips for first time since pandemicThe Chronicles Of Philanthropy: Breaking Down The Color and Gender Barriers of Outdoor SportsCommunity Action Partnership: Local Activist, Slow Roll St. Paul Highlight Importance of Outdoor Activity in Social and Racial JusticePowder: Meet The National Brotherhood of SkiersThe Loppet Foundation: AboutFor 1000s of delicious, customized plant-based recipes & so much more, check out our Plantpower Meal PlannerHOW CAN I SUPPORT THE PODCAST?Tell Your Friends & Share Online!Subscribe & Review: iTunes | Spotify | Stitcher | Soundcloud | Google PodcastsDonate: Check out our Patreon accountSupport The Sponsors: One of the best ways to support the podcast is to support our sponsors. For a complete list of all RRP sponsors and their respective vanity url's and discount codes, visit my Resources page and click "Sponsors".Thank The Team: I do not do this alone. Send your love to Jason Camiolo for production, audio engineering and show notes; Margo Lubin and Blake Curtis for video, editing and graphics; portraits by Ali Rogers & Davy Greenberg; copywriting by Georgia Whaley; and theme music by Tyler Piatt. Trapper Piatt & Hari Mathis. Special thanks to talented Minneapolis local photographers / videographers Bennie Wilson and Jordan Lundell for portraits & an upcoming video we are are working on.*Disclosure: Books and products denoted with an asterisk are hyperlinked to an affiliate program. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As part of the 19 stories in 19 hours, Ray Aponte is the Adventure Director at The Loppet Foundation.  He talks to Maxie about focusing on underserved youth and families when it comes to year-round outdoor adventure and recreation.

In this episode, we connect with John Munger, Executive Director of the Loppet Foundation in Minneapolis and Garrott Kuzzy, former U.S. Ski Team member who grew up near Wirth Park. From impressions of Wirth back-in-the-day to exploring how the World Cup ended up in Minneapolis, we drill down on most (but not all) things Minneapolis World Cup. That event goes down on March, 17. We cover the cost of hosting, infrastructure demands, and how the pieces are coming together a few months out from the event. Thanks for listening. 

Recently, I had the pleasure of sitting on the bench with Omar Ansari, founder of Surly Brewing. You can listen to our Sauna Talk Episode here. Today on the bench, I have the pleasure of visiting with another enterprising icon in the Twin Cities. Today we welcome John Munger, Executive Director, Loppet Foundation. John and Omar have a few similarities Both John and Omar know each other from way back. Surly was an early sponsor of the Loppet Foundation. That relationship is still strong today. Their beginnings: John with the Loppet and Omar with Surly, each started as a kernel seed of an idea. And each have each grown into something long lasting and remarkable. Both have have swam upstream against established rules and structure, both political and policy, with fierce dedication to their clear visions and missions. As you’ll hear in this episode, John notes that “real change in the world is stuff that lasts.” In the case of Surly Brewing, we have Surlyville, a substantially cool and beautiful brewery destination complex. In the case of Loppet Foundation, we have the Trailhead, a substantially cool and beautiful recreation destination complex. Each of these beautiful buildings, and the smiles created within, are “instagram worthy” Both buildings appearing in tourist brochures and social media feeds for people visiting the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul. Neither of these Twin City iconic structures and organizations would exist without Omar and John. What is the Loppet Foundation? Founded in 2002, The Loppet Foundation It is a non profit, which is dedicated towards doing something good for the community. The foundation undertakes a variety of things including trails & facilities management, large-scale public events, youth and adult recreational programming, and competitive training clubs. At the center of all of these ‘tentacles’ is their mission, which is to create a shared passion for year-round outdoor adventure in the Minneapolis area, with a focus on underserved youth and families. The Loppet Foundation offers year-round programs for kids adults and everyone in between. From Loppet Run Club to our in-school Minne-Loppet program. The foundation works to get folks from all walks of life outside and active no matter the weather. Luminary Loppet, Lake of the Isles, Minneapolis, Minnesota The Luminary has grown tremendously. As you will hear in the interview, the first luminary had about 150 people in 2006 and this past Luminary we had over 10,000 people in attendance. The Trailhead project (includes building and surround trail improvements) is about a $10 million project in total. The building is completed and has quickly become a signature, statement piece for Minneapolis. 612 Sauna Society’s wood fired mobile sauna has been parked in the shadows o the trailhead all winter long, and now into Spring. The sauna residency has complemented the offerings of the Trailhead. Guests have been able to enjoy sauna after a ski, surrounding old growth trees and well groomed trails, in a “this is so awesome, it’s got to be against some kind of rule” kind of way.

Anthony Taylor from the Loppet Foundation and Slow Roll MPLS stops by to talk about getting non-traditional cyclists excited about riding bikes.

John Munger of the Loppet Foundation discusses the Birkie Bridge.