What an amazing weekend in Big Bear Lake, California! The vibrant energy of the old-growth pines, the gorgeous sunny weather, and the happy, goal-crushing people around us made it unforgettable.

A Magical Weekend in Big Bear Lake

We were there representing KORBOARD at the Big Bear Spartan Trifecta. Our partnership with this innovative fitness brand has opened doors to promote incredible products, and champion fitness for everyone. It feels so good to be in roles that light us up and connect us to other like minded fitness souls.

Representing KORBOARD at the Spartan Trifecta

Spartan racers tackled 1–3 races over the weekend — Sprint, Super, and Beast — full of running and obstacles on the steep side of a ski mountain. Their energy was sky-high! These athletes were slaying themselves in the name of fitness and fun, and it was contagious.

At our KORBOARD booth, we ran fun challenges focused on strength, mobility, and extra movement before or after their races. People were game — pushing limits and laughing through it. These are definitely our people!

Meeting Our People: Racers, Families & High-Vibe Community

Many connections came with the families and friends cheering on their racers. The courses are long and tough, so there’s often downtime to chat. It was sweet to meet someone, then see them again later celebrating with their finished athlete. The whole mountain felt like one big connected family, bonded by effort and accomplishment.

The race staff, photographers, military recruiters, and other vendors all brought the same positive spirit. Strangers greeted each other with smiles and encouragement. Even the crew doing the hard work of setup and managing thousands of racers stayed smiling ear-to-ear. The vibe was pure joy.

We also had the special treat of meeting another KORBOARD colleague and his wife. Both are super successful entrepreneurs and deeply fitness-focused. My husband had followed them on Instagram for a while, so it was fantastic to connect in real life and swap stories. One of the coolest parts of this journey is the amazing people you meet — both online and in person!

Small-Town Magic & Delicious Connections

Big Bear Lake perfectly blends small-town charm with bustling tourist energy. People visit from all over the world, yet it still feels intimate with just a handful of local businesses.

We had so much fun exploring the food scene:

• Big Bear Mountain Brewery: The bartender playfully “talked smack” to everyone (turns out it was mostly his family — they own the place!). Super welcoming vibes.
• Steinerhaus BBQ: We stopped in for beers after dinner and ended up chatting with the owners as they closed. They invited us to stay for one more round and shared all about their flavorful menu and cooking secrets. Right up our alley!
• Hacienda Mexican Restaurant: We ate here twice — the food was muy delicioso and the service was warm and fantastic.

The Big Epiphany: This Is What Alignment Feels Like

Several times I just stood there in grateful awe, soaking it all in. Here we were, on the side of Big Bear Mountain, surrounded by people genuinely having fun while conquering big goals. What a gift to have a role with a growing fitness company that puts you right in the middle of happy, motivated humans pushing to be their best.

This weekend was living proof of the life we’re creating through the Gap Year Movement: one where fitness equals happiness and real connection. No corporate grind — just joy, adventure, and community.

If you’ve been craving more of this energy in your own life, start small. Find your version of a Spartan race, a local fitness event, or even a weekend in nature. Say yes to the things that make you feel alive. The right people, places, and opportunities will show up.

Aroo! Until the next adventure.