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Supporting the Coombs Foundation in honor of Catherine Nix

Posted on: 08.17.20 By: FVL2016 Posted in: Blog

Forever Victory Lap, In Memory of Catherine Nix

Catherine Nix knew how to live life to the fullest, and her passion for the outdoors inspired everyone around her to get out and make their own adventures a reality. Whether it was skiing, hiking, climbing, or running, Catherine spent all her free time in the mountains, taking advantage of the endless possibilities for recreation around Jackson. After a tragic climbing accident in the Tetons in 2015 took Catherine’s life, her family started Forever Victory Lap, a nonprofit that inspires others to challenge themselves and empower and support those in need.

Forever Victory Lap began to support to the Coombs Foundation last year to help pass Catherine’s love of skiing on to kids who otherwise wouldn’t get the chance.

“Setting goals and challenging yourself translates to so much positivity in life”

“Spending time outside shaped who Catherine was as a person – adventurous, curious, and inspired to give back,” says Molly Scioli, Catherine’s sister and Executive Director of Forever Victory Lap. “Skiing was one of Catherine’s favorite activities and it’s great that now we can continue to make that possible for all kids.”

Catherine loved working with kids, and her time as a leader at Teton Valley Ranch Camp inspired her to pursue a secondary degree in child psychology. “She was a mentor and counselor to so many people we knew,” explains Molly. “After she died we had all these people reaching out to us from all points in her life, telling us how ‘she inspired me to do this’, and ‘she inspired me to do that’. We knew she’d made an impact on her friends but we had no idea the extent.”

Molly says that being outside helped Catherine develop strong leadership skills and build strong relationships with those close to her in Jackson. “Setting goals and challenging yourself translates to so much positivity in life. It’s a great way to connect with other people and grow as a person,” says Molly. “It’s amazing to see how her memory can still inspire people in that way.”

Mission Accomplished!

Posted on: 08.17.20 By: FVL2016 Posted in: Blog

The peak of Mt. Katahdin (5267ft) was successfully summited last Friday by a team of 6 of us with ages ranging from 16 to 65 years old. The roundtrip took just under 10 hours and the mountain lived up to its reputation as a challenging hike (and in some instances as a climb!). Mother Nature even upped the ante on us with strong winds, low visibility and sideways rain as we trekked across Knifes Edge and approached Baxter Peak at the top.

All in all it was a resounding success and certainly was a once in a lifetime experience for me.

Most importantly at last count Forever Victory Lap has raised over $2,600 to go towards the Doug Coombs Foundation to help sponsor low-income children on and off the ski slopes of Jackson Hole. So THANK-YOU to everyone who donated! It certainly was encouraging to have that extra motivation heading out there and knowing that we were hiking for a greater purpose. We will continue to accept donations through the rest of this week so please feel free to participate in case you thought you missed it the 1^st time around.

I have attached a couple of pictures to give you some flavor from the mountain, and I can say that I highly recommend this trip to anyone who is interested in this type of outdoor activity.

Thanks again for all of the support and look forward to seeing each and every one of you soon!

Conan

Why Forever Victory Lap

Posted on: 03.10.17 By: FVL Blogger Posted in: Blog

By Molly Scioli, written with Isabel Murphy

On August 22, 2015, I received the news that my younger sister, Catherine Nix (Cath, and sometimes “Nix”) had fallen off a mountain and died. She was 27 years old.

At the time, I was nine months pregnant with my fourth child. I was about to bring a life into the world, and I was preparing myself for that tremendous change. But I had no idea just how much the Universe had in store for me.

My three children tell me that I fell to the floor when I got the news. That image of me is seared in their memories. They bring up that night sometimes to total strangers, explaining that their aunt fell off a mountain and died, and that their mom fell on the floor and cried, “No, no, no,” a thousand times. At first, I couldn’t let myself believe the truth of what I had been told.

I had a lot to learn.

We have all searched for meaning in the wake of Cath’s death. Someone I spoke with about it explained to me that when people are going to pass they, “Don’t know, but they know.” They might do or say things that are almost like clues.

Looking back, I believe strongly that this is true. Cath had spent the year before her death tagging photographs of her adventures in the Tetons with #victorylap. She lived in Jackson Hole and taught at a residential school and treatment facility for disabled and emotionally disturbed youth. In true Cath spirit, it challenged her, but she loved it. She planned to get her PhD in child psychology at a school in New York so she could return to the Teton Valley to continue trying to heal young people in need.

Before she returned to our home state of NY for school, Cath wanted to keep a count of her adventures in the mountains. Cath’s brave and amazing friend Liz described the hashtag #victorylap as “a way for Cath to commemorate a bucket list. To see for the first time — or to see again — beautiful places in the Teton Valley, or a reason for her to accomplish unbelievable physical feats, like summiting the highest peak in Wyoming or biking Togwottee Pass. A way for her to celebrate her final months in the place she so loved.”

After Cath died, one of her friends and roommates in Jackson, Leslie, told me this story: “It was the beginning of August. I came home and was excited to see her car in the driveway, but when I went inside she wasn’t there. So I texted her to see when she’d be home. She said she was outside. I found her relaxing on the side of the house — a peculiar spot — in a green lounge chair from the garage, drinking a beer. It was a beautiful afternoon and we sat there talking about that day’s adventure, and laughing and reminiscing about things I can’t remember now. It was at this moment that I recognized an overwhelming sense of peace and joy in Nix. While Nix always exuded happiness — this was different. I remember thinking to myself: that a girl Nix, you can now move on to your next adventure knowing you fulfilled all of your Jackson dreams. All summer she was sad about leaving, but at this moment I feel as though she was ready. She was truly down to the core happy.”

Cath was happy because she had worked her way through her Jackson bucket list. After a summer of constant motion, she had claimed her victory lap.

It’s as if Cath set us up for the next steps. After she passed, #victorylap changed to #forevervictorylap. Liz used it on her Instagram account as an ode to all of the adventures that Cath had been on that summer and it has since turned into the inspiration for the nonprofit Forever Victory Lap.

Our goal is to continue Cath’s plan to help the children of the Teton Valley — and beyond. As Forever Victory Lap became a reality, we chose the Teton Valley Ranch Camp as the initial beneficiary of the funds that we raised. It was an easy and natural decision for us. After all, TVRC was the reason that originally brought Cath to Wyoming, and it was a place that she loved. During her time there, not only did she solidify her love of adventure and for the outdoors, she made life-long friendships with some of the most incredible people that you could ever wish to meet. In the wake of her death, we received such an immeasurable amount of support from the TVRC community, and they continue to rally behind us to this day. It was a no brainer for us to partner with them and their TVRC Education Foundation.

The mission of the TVRC Education Foundation is to provide educational excellence in summer camp programming; excellence that fosters responsibility, honesty, integrity, cooperation, conservation values and creative problem-solving among the entire camp community, in an enriching, safe, western environment. Ideals that we know Cath was proud to live by. As we continue to grow, we look forward to branching out to other Teton Valley non-profits and learning how they support children and function in a spirit that would appeal to Cath. For more information on the TVRC Education Foundation, visit their website.

Forever Victory Lap is Cath’s legacy. It is about empowering children, and adults, to set goals and claim personal victories over their perceived physical or mental blocks. It is about doing something that you think you can’t do. Doing something that scares you. Or just doing something that you never thought you could do. Because, as Cath’s too-short life showed us, we don’t have time to waste.

We should all explore and adventure out into this beautiful world, feeling our own power and gaining unmeasured confidence. Just like Cath did.

2016 Jackson Hole Tyler Strandberg and Catherine Nix Memorial Relay

Posted on: 01.25.17 By: FVL Blogger Posted in: Blog

Guest blog by Maddie McQueeney, a friend of Catherine Nix

In 2011, I ran my first marathon. As I trudged up the hill to Cascade restaurant afterward, all I could think about was their Bloody Mary. I threw myself into a steel chair on the patio, and awaited service. A small, dry-humored waitress appeared, glanced at my marathon bib and laughed in my face. She made a quip about my sanity (because who would voluntarily run 26.2 miles?), and then told me she was going to make my Bloody Mary a double (no complaints). Lauren Barrett, a friend of hers from Colby, sat down beside me. She introduced us, and by the end of the meal I had asked for Nixy’s phone number so we could hang out again.

If it sounds like a love story, that’s because it was. We were genuinely friends at first sight. Despite the fact that she heckled me relentlessly about the marathon that first day, she went on to race 26.2 miles on three separate occasions. Two of them were back to back weekends, and she ran all of them in under four hours. In 2015, she set her sights on a fourth marathon in NYC, which was a fundraiser for charity. I donated to Nixy’s cause the day before her death. Her last text to me was a thank you. So you might say that we began and ended our friendship with marathons.

Now, however, I hope to memorialize our friendship through marathons. As evidenced by everyone who has run in memory of Tyler and Nix since, their conquests on the trails left us inspired. We are all striving to live like them, and through that we are finding happiness. The race in Jackson Hole holds a special place in my heart not just because of Nixy, but because of the memories I have with Tyler as well. As they were both close friends of mine, I am glad to find ways to celebrate their lives together. I ran part of the race with each of them on separate occasions, and all of our friendships had a solid foundation in the sport.

Tyler and C-V students cheering for Nix

Maddie running a stint with Catherine and Rob

The first time Nixy ran the JH marathon, Tyler brought the kids from C-V Ranch out to cheer her on. The support gave Nix a burst of speed that turned her marathon partner, Rob McCary, an inhuman shade of gray as he tried to keep up with her those last miles. The memory still makes me smile, and is a tribute to the support and love those two showed each other.

So, shortly after their deaths, when John Williams asked me if I wanted to run the race in memory of them, it gave me an idea. Their accident had struck the whole town. Friends, acquaintances and even strangers grieved them. It seemed that everyone was looking for a way to celebrate their lives, while gathering together in support of each other. So I put up an open invite on Facebook — anyone who wanted to run the marathon in their honor should sign up. Most of us were too out of shape to run the whole thing, but we could run the relay. Over 50 people showed up that day. I remember sadness, but mostly I remember laughter. It rained the whole race, except when we crossed the finish line. Then, it felt like the sun came out just for us. The founder of the race was so moved that he named the relay in honor of them. My greatest hope is that it will continue to inspire support, laughter and the memory of their friendship for years to come.

2015 Relay in honor of Catherine and Tyler

Moving forward, I will continue to honor the friendships that I had with the two of them by running a marathon or half marathon every year. Yet, I will always do it with a friend by my side. This year I chose to run the JH marathon again. I hugged each member of the Nix and Strandberg clan along the way, as the sport gave me strength, and the event gave me a reason to celebrate. I hope the happiness was contagious, as all of their friends and family cheered each other on from the sidelines and roadways. From North Carolina, to Texas, to Colorado and New York, people showed up to celebrate two incredible lives, and in doing so, had an incredible time.

September 2016 Marathon relay teams and fans who participated in the Tyler Strandberg and Catherine Nix Memorial Relay

A month later I ran a trail marathon with my boyfriend, Rob. It was a more private affair, and gave me time to reflect on all the adventures I had with the two of them. The morning of the race, it snowed enough to force the course to be re-routed. A gentle reminder that not all of the paths we treaded on together were dirt, we shared many memories on snow as well. It is those adventures that I hold closest to my heart, so I can’t imagine a better tribute than to continue to generate memories with others in that way. It is a way of moving on, while still holding them near.

Moving forward with a lighter heart…

Posted on: 01.04.17 By: FVL Blogger Posted in: Blog

Guest blog by Teddi Hofmann, a friend of Catherine Nix
Reflections from August 2016

I first became friends with Nixy while working at Teton Valley Ranch Camp during the summer of 2010. Following a few glorious months on the ranch, we, along with a large, rambunctious crew of recent college grads, decided to move to Jackson Hole for the winter. Our time together as dear friends, and, for a time, as roommates, was certainly exciting and entertaining to say the least. We shared skiing, biking, and hiking adventures, enjoyed nights out on the town, drank one-too-many beers at the Village, and participated in some friendly “competitive” events like the annual Jackson Hole Pole, Pedal, Paddle. We even went to Catholic Mass on occasion, most likely because we didn’t want our parents questioning our Jackson Hole lifestyle. No matter what the adventure or conversation, I will always remember how Nixy made me laugh.

Shortly after her memorial service in August 2015, Nixy’s family asked me to join in celebrating her life with friends and family by climbing the Grand Teton. I was honored and humbled by the opportunity to celebrate Nixy in such a way. So, as I prepared for the climb in the months leading up to the Grand adventure, I reflected on the time Nixy and I had spent together. I frequently found myself laughing out loud recalling stories she had shared and remembering some of the ridiculous situations we’d been in. However, those reflective moments of happiness were also accompanied by a heavy heart and overwhelming feelings of grief. As someone who does not process sorrow well, I became exhausted and avoided situations or conversations that made me sad. I was anxious about doing the climb because I was tired of grieving and didn’t want to cry anymore.

(L to R) Rob McCary, me, and Nix skiing in Jackson Hole

So it was with nervous thoughts and feelings racing through my mind and body that I joined friends and family on the morning of August 14^th to climb the Grand Teton in celebration of Nixy’s life. We spent the first day on trails familiar to me from past adventures with Nixy. We shared a lot of laughs, chatted about the upcoming winter season and what “epic” lines we wanted to ski, discussed our visions of becoming “ballers” in our jobs and recreational activities, and of course, talked about the men in our lives. I felt completely energized and was blown away by the spirit, courage, and heart that everyone was willing to share as we continued the hike. Carrying Nixy in our mind and hearts, our group of new and old friends felt seamless.

When we reached the Lower Saddle at the end of our first day, we were greeted by mountain guides and welcomed into a fully equipped warming hut. Following a few high fives and bathroom breaks near the stinky pee rock, we unpacked our bags and fished for the large goodie bags of treats that everyone had hauled with them. Though we were all probably a little over prepared in this area, I know Nixy would have enjoyed the treats and the chance to offer her two-cents about which food would provide optimal physical performance the next morning.

Later that evening, we gathered on the saddle to gaze out at the valleys below. We took some time to reflect upon the emotional journeys we’d all been through, both together and individually. Words were spoken, tears were shed, and again, I felt a crushing ache in my heart. But this time I was surrounded by people that Nixy had held dear to her. Each of us had been working through the grief in our own ways, but in that moment, together, there was a sense of peace.

The next morning our group was up before dawn to summit the Grand. I kept my mind sharp and focused intently on performing the technical skills I had learned in the mountain guide training sessions the week prior. Determined to reach our goal, we moved with fluidity and purpose. Before long, we reached the summit and took in the 360-degree view from atop the Teton Range. Peering out across the sky, I was struck by a sense of awe and wonder of nature. While there is much in life that I don’t know and can’t control, by recognizing the unknown and taking ownership of my own struggles I have gained a deeper appreciation and respect for the healing process.

After a few minutes of celebrating our achievement on the summit, we began our descent back to the trailhead. With clear, sunny skies overhead, we took our time on the hike down, savoring our last few moments together on the trail. By late afternoon, we made it to the trailhead and were greeted by even more family and friends who welcomed us with hugs, high-fives, and a delicious spread of food and drinks for everyone to share.

What a gift for Nixy to have brought so many people together!

Grand Teton Climb for Nix, August 2016

I would never have understood how to recognize and experience my own heartache without the support of friends and family. But through the climb, and in my personal journey over the past couple of years, I have learned to embrace the struggles and beauty of life, love, and death, with an open heart. In sharing Nixy’s loss, I have been humbled and strengthened. And I have learned that with support from those around me, I can move forward each day with a lighter heart.

From Liz to Catherine

Posted on: 12.03.16 By: FVL Blogger Posted in: Blog

Guest blogger Liz Andrews
Reprinted with permission.
You can follow Liz’s blog at http://forevervictorylap.tumblr.com

Jan 2016

“though she be but little, she is fierce” – Shakespeare

Forever Victory Lap. Three words that meant nothing to me until August 22nd and I’m finally sitting down to try to figure out what they actually signify, 4 months later. So what does it mean to have a “forever victory lap”? A victory lap is a term used in motorsports and academics, it’s the title of a song written by Macklemore, it’s referenced in the running world, and it can be completed by an individual or a team. It’s a lap of honor, of celebration. And when Catherine Nix started using it to tag all of her pictures of her last summer in Jackson Hole, it was a way for her to commemorate a bucket list. To see for the first time – or to see again – beautiful places in the Teton Valley, or a reason for her to accomplish unbelievable physical feats, like summiting the highest peak in Wyoming or biking Togwotee Pass. A way for her to celebrate her final months in the place she so loved.

After Nixy died in August, the tag transformed from “victory lap” to “forever victory lap” allowing all of us to continue her legacy in our attempts to imbue our lives with her ferocity and her spirit and her laughter. To take advantage of the places we live in while remembering the motto she never said, but always lived by: you are stronger than you think you are and you can do more than you believe you can. She was the one who ran back-to-back weekend marathons, chasing a Boston qualifying time. The one who could sprint up every trail in GTNP, but always remembered to hang back to whatever your pace was so you could chat life and goals and passions. The one who dropped everything to spend time with the people she loved. The one who prioritized taking care of people and being the best mentor and confidante and friend. The one who knew her life’s work was to help children who were less fortunate than most. The one whose size of her heart outweighed her body 50 to 1.
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