Industry Profile: Pro Snowboarder Izzy Lalive

Job Title: a gypsy snowboardcoach/hustler/life student/sometimes waitress pro shredder babe…
Employer: Tim Windell… well, he was- but not anymore. So I guess I am actually employer-less… haha.. yess! It feels pretty amazing– just cruising free-bird status. I am about to return to being a full time student…I am stoked- I really love school.
Years on snow: My parents had me on skis when I was two… some plastic baby rockets. I would just mob around on those. I grew up as a little ski racer grom- until I was 18…and I loved it, but I decided to try snowboarding… and after my first run, I was hooked. I thought to myself, “All I want to do is go fast, and catch sick air … man.” All in all, I’ve been on snow for 25 years!!! And this is my ninth season on a snowboard. how Sick!
Days on snow: this summer— 35 so far. I bet about a hundred or more in the winter… about a hundred and fifty.
Currently Riding: A Capita… For the rest of my life…. if I am lucky.
Currently I am: sitting here on the green couch, outside my door- I live in number 7 at the Ark. Shit is Real. I love this life. If you have been here, than you know what I mean. I am listening to the ill baseline of some Mac Dre coming from room 8, and listening to the snap of a proper ollie from Collin Collins. East Ark is poppin, as usual… kitchen Ryan and Johnny Lazz are chillin, Josh Bishop and Vince and Derek are having a pow wow… and the West side Skiertown is lookin all cloudy… and here I am, just chillin– doing some reflecting… eating these delicious cherries. Oregon is Good for You. oh Man! Life is so sweet.

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Photo:  Corbin Clement

Shay: Tell us a little bit about yourself
Izzy: This kid from Lynn, Mass. once told me that “paying attention to detail keeps us all on the same track.” and … I always think about those words. I still don’t know exactly what he meant- but I might have an idea. I guess some good details about me are that I am always thinking about things, and keeping an eye out for the details…. I am a middle kid. I was born in Truckee, California. I am half Swiss. I have a dog named Kaya. I like cinema, art, photography, and words (reading and writing). I like to play soccer, and hike and swim and skate… and dance.. I really like reggae music, getting Blessed by Jah, hip hop, jazz ….and of course, the Beatles, and Bob Dylan and lately– I have been completely stuck on Zapp & Roger! (thanks to Nick and Jasper). There are lots of little bits. Lots of details. I bought a guitar off this kid for ten bucks, so now I am learning to play the guitar… and I like to caw back at the ravens… “Caaaaw!”

Shay: How has snowboarding changed your life?
Izzy: Snowboarding has given me so much, and everyday gives me so much. It is so sick. I am super thankful and humbled that this is my existence– every day I that I go snowboarding, I am enjoying and celebrating the beauty of Creation, and the gift of getting to be, and see, and do, and think and just exist, and cruise… just living. straight up dirty living… Snowboarding is good for the mind, good for the body, and good for the soul. It has taught me so much about dedication, commitment, passion, frustration, ego trips, the business world, economics, humility, Wellness, compassion, gratitude, responsibility, respect… and love. For me, it has taken me on such an incredible journey. I have met all kinds of individuals, tribes and crews, families, artists, athletes, characters, entrepreneurs, and visionaries that I am honored to know and call friends. The people.. So many unbelievably awesome homies…. And all the places– whether in a park, or on a mountain side, or in a street, or someone’s backyard– snowboarding had taken me to some amazing spots. To see and be in such beautiful places, I think that definitely has impacted and changed me.
Snowboarding has also introduced me to so many flavors of musics, films, styles, fashions, cultures, medias, even foods and drinks… heh heh 🙂 But for real– and that has changed me too.
I think snowboarding carries me–like a wave… and it is sooo sweet… and here on this wave, I ride… confidently– tried. and true.

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Shay: How did you get your start in the industry, who or what opened up more opportunities for you
Izzy: I guess I owe the credit to my little brother– I mean, he was the first person to really show me snowboarding, the magazines, and the videos, and he was like, ” you gotta try it.” He showed me the freedom, style and expression of snowboarding– and most importantly– the fun of trying and learning new tricks. I think I picked it up pretty fast because of having skied. Anyhow, the first person who really got my back was Josh at Milosport in Salt Lake… I was 19… and I was living… Haaa haA! I moved to SLC to go to massage therapy school– but as soon as I got my first week of powder at Brighton, I stopped going to class. I didn’t have a license, so I rolled deep EVERYWHERE on my scrappy mo-ped… rain, snow, hail, shine… I would ride all the way from Sugarhouse to the bottom of the canyon… and Milo was a good rest point in between, so I would stop in there and warm up and watch some shred vids playing playing on the tv and get all stoked… and Josh was stoked on me—- so he set me up with my first sponsors – Tonino Copene from Nitro hooked up this sweet orange board with a cobra snake on it.. and Shawn Taylor hooked me up with Northwave Boots and Drake Bindings.. I still have the art that Shawn drew on the side of the ups box. It is so legit. Anyways, I went to my first pro contest in Big Bear… the Vans Triple Crown– in 2003.. and I did pretty well… so I guess that got the ball rolling. At that contest I also met Laura Hadar. We instantly were ancient friends… she’s helped me out a whole lot- opened doors for me by introducing me to people and gettin my back… I love her. There are so many friends who have helped me out and believed in me– Mike LeBlanc at Holden.. Dave Graves and Blue Montgomery at Capita, Jordan at Grenade, Cyle at Electric… those guys have shown me so much love – I am so thankful… and so stoked.

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Shay: How has your previous education or work experience helped you in your current job?
Izzy: I think everything is relative… so everything and anything that I have ever learned, applies to everything and everything else that I have ever and will ever learn… ya know? What I learn at school, I apply in my snowboarding. And what I learn from my snowboarding, applies to school/life/work…
I think that my love of meeting people and getting to know them– like asking them TONS of questions has helped me in that I am a pretty out going person– and it really is true what they say– its not what you know but who you know. But yea, I think its that, and a sort of hungry tiger approach– you see what you want, and you go for it! Raaaaaarrrrrrr!!!!

Shay: Tell us about your role as a pro snowboarder and a description of the work you do?
Izzy: My role as a pro snowboarder is not really something I know much about, as it is difficult to be objective about myself. But the way that I see it, is like this: I am a girl in a male dominated sport. So there is that– you know, representing for the female side… I think it is super badass when a chick rips. Its the best– and it inspires me– so I want to pass that on too. My role in snowboarding is to inspire others to be true and shine. I am also a philosopher in an opened aired sideways strapped-in classroom… I am a ninja warrior princess on a battle field– I am an Irie vibed ras girl surfing…Snowboarding is Whatever you want it to be… for me, snowboarding is many things… my classroom, my mental zone where I can grow, let go, express, create, be free, learn, realize, actualize…. dream. It would be the raddest to inspire shredders and skierd to further seek their true expression, and further pursue what they love, on and off the hill. Word up.

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Shay: What’s an average day like at work for you?
Izzy: Average? Uhhh…. Everyday is brand spankin new. No average. I like to sleep… after I have slept and dreamed, I roll out of bed and drink a tall glass of water. I usually have coffee or tea… banana and or taost…and besides working, and shredding with the homies, and school, and writing, and reading, and film atching, and music bumpin, and color painting… and dog kicking.. I guess I just wait and see what happens– I am always down for a good adventure though.

Shay: What are some memorable experiences from working in the industry?
Izzy: Oh man! There are so many! Too many to list. Probably just cruising with homies… thats my favorite… just rollin deep with some quality peeps and riding some qualitiy steeps, twisting quality heaps.

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Shay: What do you think are the biggest challenges that the snowboard industry faces and what changes would you like to see for the future?
Izzy: Hmmm.. I’m no critic, so I don’t know. I mean, everything changes– nothing stays the same, and I think that snowboarding is still pretty fresh and I think we need to embrace the evolution more and more… Snowboarding could use more high fives and whatups… cuz no matter what they say– it is such a sweet thing to be cruising! I don’t want to see into the future! heh heheh…. jk. For the future, I think that the rad attitude good vibe tribe people that I know and love in shredding should keep contributing their love and good vibes.. keep taking care of one another and the earth.

Shay: Education vs Experience…which do you think is more important?
Izzy: Hmmmm… Well, I think Experience is the best form of Education, but Education is the purpose of Experience… they are both important, and together, they are perfect.

Shay: What advice would you give to people wanting to work in the industry?
Izzy: Be true. Be passionate. Be smart. Be balanced. Be Ballsy. Be optimistic. Go confidently, and humbly… be open. Be on point, but know when to chill. kick it. work hard. have fun. Get stoked. Say thank you. Be kind. Get loose. Get Paid. enjoy the ride. ONE LOVE.