Mountain Mantras: Wellness and Life Lessons from the Slopes

by Kathryn Kemp Guylay

Are you looking for inspiration to tackle life's challenges? Want to learn simple ways to live life more fully, with more energy, and with greater success? Mountain Mantras: Wellness and Life Lessons from the Slopes uses stories from the author's personal life as an engaging, often hilarious, backdrop for studying wellness and life lessons. From starting a nonprofit to her family's journey west and her humbling adventures learning to ski as an adult, Kathryn's stories inspire and entertain. It doesn't matter whether you re a pro at skiing or have never set foot on the slopes. You'll learn simple tools and even games that make wellness fun. When you read Mountain Mantras, you will learn how to: * Achieve greater success in life simply by adjusting how you perceive events around you. * Discover a 6-step framework you can use to overcome obstacles in your own life. * Use vision and visualization to turn your dreams into reality. * Learn strategies to engage fully in life, while experiencing improved health and vitality.

200 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 2015

About the author

Kathryn Kemp Guylay is an author, speaker, certified nutritional counselor and coach with a master's degree in business. She is the founder of Nurture, a national nonprofit that provides wellness education to tens of thousands of children and parents. As a sought-after wellness expert, Kemp Guylay is often interviewed by leading media and hosts her own radio show on wellness at KDPI-FM in Ketchum, Idaho. Her nonfiction book, Mountain Mantras: Wellness and Life Lessons from the Slopes won several awards and was a No. 1 Bestseller on Amazon in the snow-skiing category in 2015. She will be releasing her first children's book (Give It a Go, Eat a Rainbow) in the summer of 2016. Stayed turned at www.makewellnessfun.com.

Reviews

[Kevin Haselhorst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mountain Mantras is a re-imagined rendering of Gift of the Sea.

Mother Nature along with gravity have ways of teaching us lessons
A mom with eyes in the back of her head adds another perspective

Mountain Mantras is narrated from the experience of a Romper Room teacher and speaks to children at heart. A mantra is a phrase that is repeated over and over, creating a meditative state of awareness. My mom use to say, “How many times do I have to say the same thing before it sinks in?” We might get the message, then usually forget it. Kathryn Kemp Guylay reminds us not to take life too seriously as we carve individual paths for ourselves and others to follow while skiing down the mountain of life.

The diligence and patience that it takes to thread a needle is reflected through each page of
Mountain Mantras. Using this threaded needle of empowerment, Kathryn demonstrates how a stitch in time pulls random pieces together, creating the fabric of her life. Her life stories are quilting blocks that she carefully weaves into a brilliant image of a cozy blanket. Mantras, like comforters, provide a refuge of warm-familiarity, protection and peacefulness.

Transformation happens through showing up and being willing to fail. Kathryn’s “tumbles” in life generally occur through resistance and fear while her success is achieved through letting go, laughter and awareness. By looking at wellness differently, she takes shame out of the equation: Perceived Reality – Expectations = Satisfaction. Without expectations, people are best able to change their habits and diets from corrupting “slow foods” to satisfying soul food – illness to wellness.

Kathryn is truly a pioneer and the “mountain momma” who takes readers home - to a new place they belong: Sun Valley, Idaho. While snowflakes in Sun Valley delight the tip of the tongue, her mantras roll off the tip of the tongue - nurturing mind, body and soul. Like childhood rhymes, her mantras are meant to stick with us and give presence of mind in order to actually move mountains. Kathryn would have readers move mountains through skiing; concentrating on doing “good turns” daily - building relationships through awareness – and devoting time and talent to living effectively and gracefully.

[Marianne Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very inspiring and great practical advice. Easy to read, couldn't put it down once I started it. Love Kathryn’s quirky rhymes, especially “I threw myself down the hill, looking ahead for the best views.”
That is good advice for anyone, even if you have grown children.

[David Brady · Rating 5 out of 5]

i have to say that I was really quite pleasantly surprised by Kathryn's book. Mountain Mantras as a title was very interesting to me as I've spent a great deal of my life in the mountains of British Columbia and Colorado. I use to ski in Telluride in the 1980's. Long before it was as developed as it is now.

My former roommate in boarding school ended up on our Canadian Alpine Olympic Team. He taught me to ski. I am now a senior. Most of my skiing has been done in British Columbia at Whistler/Blackcomb. So, I like Skiing.

However, i picked up the book, starting reading it and burst out laughing. It's just so wonderfully honest, sincere and helpful and humorous - and yes we do spell humorous differently in Canada. It's not a typo.

Mountain Mantra is loaded with information that is both practical and simple to follow - if only i remember to follow it. And there is a lot of the charm in the way Kathryn writes. She summarized each chapter and gave me a plan to follow with very practical and useful advice. Something I find helpful. I now like to follow directions.

What I would say about this book is if you are like me and getting a tad sloppy as you age and realize i'd better start thinking about staying on the planet, having some fun, enjoying life a little more then Mountain Mantras is a book you should invest your time in. I can honestly say it is well worth it.

[Jena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly a captivating and inspiring read! Mountain Mantras is an essential book for all of those who believe that life is meaningful and worth living! Through connecting with experiences in the great outdoors and mountains, Kathryn has gracefully and entertainingly scripted a book that can be read again and again---continually a deeper knowledge and appreciation for our own existence, the existence of others and Mother Nature can be gained. The take-away message from Mountain Mantras is that everything is of great value, most importantly our health and wellbeing. Kathryn provides us all with a helpful way to define a clear vision for ourselves and give our life a purpose. Her stories are relatable and allow the reader to discover that what we believe in our subconscious mind to be true, is our reality. Kathryn reminds us to trust the process and follow our intuition, to be open to new opportunities and possibilities and to seek and rely on positive input. I strongly encourage you all to enter in to the pages of Mountain Mantras and discover yourself feeling more alive and inspired to be your most amazing self; to live your life to the fullest!

[Laura Putnam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!!!! Kathryn Kemp Guylay brings her sage advice to life with delightful and relatable stories. Too often, we read about the unattainable stories of Olympic-caliber athletes or daring mountaineers. Here, Guylay provides a refreshing perspective on the courage it takes to learn to ski as an adult, while seamlessly weaving in the inspiring insights of Olympians she got to know as she moved from bunny slopes to black diamonds. Her experiences encourage the reader to maintain perspective and recognize the extraordinary moments in everyday life. Ultimately, Guylay’s seven “mountain mantras,” which include useful wellness advice and action items for success, gives each of us a roadmap to achieve greatness in our personal way. It’s a wonderful read and one that I couldn’t put down. I definitely recommend it!

[Nick Gianoulis · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a refreshing way to communicate life and health lessons! In Mountain Mantras, Kathryn Kemp Guylay uses skiing as a metaphor to communicate her message. I must be honest that I did not get the connection prior to opening the book but quickly found myself immersed and 4 chapters deep. Her style is honest and fun and I applaud her family’s bravery for giving up the big city corporate gigs in search of a better lifestyle. Kathryn practices what she preaches and provides practical and actionable items after each chapter for life, the slopes and wellness. Her passion is palatable and keeps the pages turning fast. Do yourself a big New Year favor and “throw yourself down the mountain” with Kathryn’s book. I was so inspired that I went skiing for the first time in 15 years!

[Kendra Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kathryn Guylay does a good job of explaining why and how her suggestions work. A lot of it wasn't new to me, but there were a few things I'd never thought about before.

She gets a 3 star rating, though, for one reason: She really emphasizes having an attitude of gratitude towards the universe. Bottom line, the 'universe' could care less if you have a good life or a bad life. Only God cares about your life, besides family and friends, of course. Yes, this is my belief system. No, I don't think that she should be obligated to believe as I do. I respect her right to believe however she chooses. She asked for an honest review and this is my honest review.

[Annie Mahon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Kathryn Guylay's book on life lessons learned form skiing! If you are looking for a book full of funny and poignant true stories interspersed with wisdom about everything from parenting to nutrition to skiing, this is it. At the end of each section, Katrhyn includes a funny rhyme to help us remember the lesson, like "Have vision and don't be blind. Keep from falling on your behind." from the chapter on taking in the bigger picture on the slopes and in life. Easy, fun, and edcuational read.

[Whitney Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ADORE this book! It's such a great, straight forward, hilarious, witty read. Kathryn has an incredible voice and (more importantly) a very unique, holistic view of wellness. There is truly something for everyone in this book, and you will completely look at skiing in a entirely new light.

Kathryn, thank you for sharing your lessons, wisdom and encouragement.

[Joan Posivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me as a skier and lover of the mountains, the combination of wellness tips, principles for effective living, and mountain wisdom is a winning combination. Very unique! Very informative! Congratulations to Kathryn for creating such an entertaining AND extremely helpful and important guide for healthy living - on all levels!

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the mountains, love this book! With every step there is a positive and important task to be done. With every task, the steps are easier. The reviews at the end of each chapter are worth printing and keeping on the mirror in your bathroom to refer to daily!

[Rasheil Stanger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking for a great read to help focus your life? This is it! Kathryn has great insight using her experience and interest in wellness. She uses skiing as a great outdoor classroom that teaches us how to lean forward and go into life with purpose.
You will not be disappointed.

[Laurie Jueneman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book. I think it has information that everyone can use in some way to improve their life. I live with chronic depression and I know a lot of it will be useful for me. I found all the mantras interesting and applicable.

[Darcee Kraus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this novel in the Goodreads giveaway! I found Kathryn Guylay to be very entertaining and knowledgeable about the slopes as well as life. I wish that some parts about life were left out or more interesting; however overall I thought it was a good read.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. It was truly inspiring. I was hooked from the very beginning. I won this book through goodreads.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as part of a Goodreads Giveaway.

I was initially concerned that I wouldn't relate to the book because I don't ski. But the anecdotes Gulay provide about the sport are easily translatable to other types of sport. The book covers trying to exit a stressful life and find ways to live a happier and healthier existence. Though not everyone can just get up from their job in Chicago and move out to Idaho. Each small section ends with a couplet that boils down what you just read. There is good advice littered throughout the book, though some of the health advice is odd (giving fish oil pills to a child, afraid of food dyes). I recommend this book for recent business grads to help them keep focus of the important things in life.

[Anne Jolles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you love to ski? This book is for you. Have you never stepped foot on the slopes before? This book is for you. Are you looking for practical, inspirational life lessons geared towards helping you live a healthier, happier life? This book is for you. Using her difficult yet entertaining journey of learning to ski as the book's foundation, author Kathryn Kemp Guylay weaves together fun stories, anecdotes, resources and research in "Mountain Mantras."

[Gloria · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet book with stories that are entertaining. The author translates lessons from the slopes
to everyday life. There is nothing new in the book. Parts of it are organized in a way that will
appeal to some and make the lessons more understandable. Parts are pretty worthless. But
still a nice book.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC of this book.

[Cathy · Rating 1 out of 5]

The ski stuff was interesting and made me laugh out loud at times, but the parenting tips and life lessons were mostly cringe worthy.

[M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting account of life and adventure. I am ordering it also as a gift for a friend. I won this in a contest and it was a good read. Thank you!