Collaboration over Competition

Collaboration over Competition - this phrase has helped me so much with my mindset as a registered dietitian, mountain athlete, business owner, and a member of the Jackson community.

We have been taught to compete with one another from a young age, in so many arenas (sports, academics, dating, milestones in life, etc.) Some competition is good, and it can inspire us to push ourselves in ways we might not if we didn't have a little healthy competition. But what about when competition becomes unhealthy - when we fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others, seeing others in a negative light when they pose no threat to us and our well-being?

Last spring, I was writing a business plan for Teton Performance Nutrition. Part of the process for creating a business plan is researching your “competition.” During that time, I discovered other nutrition professionals within the Wyoming/Idaho region. At first, I looked at their websites and content, compared my athletic and professional experiences to their own. But then I realized the messages these professionals are projecting to the world of sports nutrition and mountain athletics resonate so much with what I want to say to the mountain community. Something clicked in my head - we need more voices on the same side! These professionals were not and are not my competition. I view them as potential collaborators, business partners, mentors, and friends.

This shift in my mindset has probably helped my outlook as an entrepreneur more than anything. Coincidentally, it has also helped my mindset as an individual living in a competitive mountain community like Jackson. A welcoming attitude toward others has created more genuine connections for me during a time when we all are seeking connection with others. I do not look at other entrepreneurs, business owners, athletes, and/or women as my competition. The only competition I have is myself. I always push myself to be better, and I hope I can inspire others to do the same. Not to compete with me, but to strive for a better quality of life! We only get one. Let’s lift each other up. Let’s recognize the lights and gifts that others bring to this world.