The Outdoor Diva // Addy Jacobsend

Addy and Rachel met at a Kari Traa event several years ago, and immediately connected over a shared love for the color pink, mountain sports, a passion for empowering + supporting women, and FUN outdoor fashion. 

Join us for a chat with Addy - she's an outdoor baddie with a mission to encourage and uplift others, so we can all develop the confidence and space show up as our most authentic selves!

Q: Tell us about your background! Who are you, why do you love the mountains, what inspired you to pursue professional skiing and recreational mountain biking? 

A: "I’m a professional skier, outdoor influencer, and avid mountain biker based in Utah. Skiing became my first love at 11 years old, because it combined adventure and athleticism in a way nothing else could. I knew by 15 that I wanted to be a professional skier, spend my life exploring the mountains, and find a powerful way to use my story and strengths to help others. 

As I got older, my passion for empowering women in action sports fully blossomed. That passion inspired me to write and produce “Advice for Girls,” A feature length ski film that puts a spotlight on the collective experience of women in the ski industry, and start my community organization Backcountry Baddies.

I discovered mountain biking 7 years ago, and quickly fell in love with it. Mountain biking gives me the same feeling of progression and thrill during the off-season. I love that it allows me to practice overcoming fear, learning new skills, and building confidence. It is also such a fun way to connect with women outdoors and continue building community year round."

Q: What does it mean to be an "Outdoor Diva?" 

"To me, being an “Outdoor Diva” means embracing both grit and girliness. It means loving adventure and loving fun gear, sparkles and the color pink. It’s all about reminding others that you don’t have to fit into some hyper-serious mold (or any mold) to belong outside. 

You can be tough and feminine. You can send a scary line and still care about your outfit. You can push yourself hard while also laughing with friends and stopping to admire wildflowers.

Being an Outdoor Diva is about showing up authentically, taking up space in outdoor sports, and helping make the outdoors feel more welcoming and fun for everyone!"

Q: Tell us about your favorite under rated pieces of bike gear? 

A: "Honestly, bike fenders are wildly underrated. They’re one of those things you don’t realize you need until you’ve done a muddy ride without one. Who likes having mud blasting up at their face while trying to focus? That’s like getting inked in Mario Cart! A good fender makes a big difference. 

Another underrated piece of gear for me is a women's specific seat. Mine absolutely changed the game for me!"

Q: What's your favorite piece of Rachel Pohl Art gear? How does colorful and fun gear help you ride better?

A: "I love anything that adds personality and color to my setup because it makes riding feel even more joyful. My favorite pieces are the ones that bring mountain-inspired art into gear I’m already using. I have been wear the Wildflowers CAMP tee on all of my bike rides recently and I love it! It feels like I am carrying a little reminder of why I love being outside in the first place.

I genuinely think colorful and fun gear helps me ride better because it makes me feel more like myself. When I feel confident, playful, and excited to get outside, I naturally ride more relaxed and with more confidence."

Q: What advice would you give women wanting to level up their biking? (Like riding more technical trails, being brave enough to take drops and jumps etc.)

A: "When learning technical trails, drops, or jumps, I’m a huge believer in breaking things into smaller pieces and building confidence first. Start ridiculously small, session the features, and move onto something bigger when you feel excited instead of afraid. Building confidence before pushing the limits is so important!

Also, don’t forget the power of riding with people who encourage you without pressure. The best riding partners are the ones who hype you up, celebrate small wins, and remind you that walking something is always okay too.

And honestly? Don’t compare your timeline to anyone else’s. Riding is supposed to be fun. The goal isn’t to become fearless it’s to become more confident and capable over time."

Q: How do you build community and find other like-minded people to play outdoors with?

A: "For me, community has come from simply showing up consistently and being willing to say yes to things. Say yes to the group rides, show up to events, and don’t be afraid to message someone on social media if you think you’ll enjoy riding or skiing with them.

Social media has honestly been such an incredible tool for me. Some of my closest friendships started with replying to each other’s stories or cheering each other on online.

I also think the best way to build community is to be the kind of person you’re hoping to find: invite people, encourage beginners, celebrate others, and create space where people feel included. Outdoor spaces can feel intimidating sometimes, and a little friendliness goes a really long way."

If you enjoyed this article, definitely go follow addy on instagram  @addy_jacobsend !!