Our training philosophy was born of the mountains, of high standards and hard work. No matter the athlete, our craft applies: develop a deep awareness of posture, structure, alignment, and mobility; utilize this awareness to “injury proof” the athlete by healing injuries, balancing stress, supporting quality recovery; and layering on periodized strength training modalities structured for the mountain athlete.
Our goal is to practice our craft in an environment of support, where honesty, character and integrity are paramount; and where motivation, instruction, and guidance are given to those with the desire to do the work.
These practices do not apply to just the “elite” of the athletic world. They apply to each and every one of us. We are all athletes! An athlete is an individual who desires change, vitality and health, strength, happiness, and the capacity to excel in whatever we choose to do – at any level.
“Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.”
Ripple Effect Training Center is a private facility, though our doors are open to all. Instruction in private and group settings must be scheduled in advance. All personal training at Ripple Effect is individualized to meet the needs of the athlete. Whether or not it is an athlete recovering from an injury, a general recreational athlete who just wants to enjoy their days off, a high end athlete who’s performance during a season or for a specific event is imperative to them, or the individual who simply desires support to stay active and healthy and is seeking an environment of knowledgeable instructors.
Knowledge can only be gained from experience. At Ripple Effect Training our instructors bring a lifetime of experience not only from the mountain environment but also our unique gym environment. All of our instructors have engaged in our intensive three-tier Ripple Effect Instructor Certification program which can take years to complete.
All of this culminates in our ability and desire to support our community in recovery, health, strength, and performance for all mountain endeavors through personal training. Our Athletes are a reflection of our dedication.
Carolyn Parker
Instructor/Trainer/Founder
The focus of my work and my life is to engage others in activities that create positive self change, to inspire, mentor, motivate, encourage, educate, and if that means changing the world one person at a time, so be it. I derive the deepest satisfaction from seeing others succeed, however I will be the first to tell you it is not just about being faster or stronger – it is about being a more conscious human being.
Carolyn is a life-long climber and mountain guide who has made the successful transition into full time coaching work. Carolyn is founder and lead instructor at the Ripple Effect Gym in Carbondale, Colorado. Carolyn’s personal pursuit of progress with her climbing led her to training. Training led her to Mark Twight and Gym Jones. In 2010 she earned her Gym Jones Certified Instructor credential. Carolyn can lead 5.12 rock, M8 mixed, and ski 50 degree couloirs. She has ski guided Mont Blanc, the famous Chamonix-Zermatt Haute Route and the Italian Ortler Traverse multiple times. In 2001 she attempted to climb Makalu by a new route on the South Face with a small 4-person team. Most recently she has been competitive in mountain runs such as the Imogene Pass run, R2R2R Grand Canyon, Sandia Crossing, Four Pass Loop Elk Mountains, Power of Four Skimo Race.
Age 55 5’7″/135# Dead Lift 265# Front Squat 155# Back Squat 175# OHS 135# TGU 65# oly bar BSSU 60# Clean 125# Jerk 115# Snatch 105# Pull Ups 24 (weighted single rep +55#) Row 500m 1:49 Row 2000m 7:57
Skills
Leads 5.12 on rock Leads WI 5+ on ice; Lead M8 mixed routes Ski 45/50 degree slopes; has guided multiple Haute Routes in The Alps, Argentiere to Zermatt, and the Ortler region of the Italian Alps. Comfortable on Grade V alpine routes: has guided ascents 40+ summits in Bolivia, Ecuador, the French and Swiss Alps, WA, Canada. Climber and Expedition sponsorship coordinator: American Makalu Expedition 2001, Makalu 8,463 m Nepal Himalaya Former USCF Cat 2 Road & NORBA Expert Cyclist Competitive finishes in Imogene Pass Run and Sandia Crossing, numerous times.
Current Certifications
Gym Jones – Fully Certified Instructor AMGA Certified Rock Guide Wilderness First Responder, EMT – WEMT
Achievements
2019: Turned 50 – Guided a ski mountaineering trip in Antarctica Nov 2019. Ran a trail 50k, Road back to back 50 milers, road bike. 2018: Expanded and moved the Ripple Effect to new location in Carbondale, Climbed in Sicily. 2017: Four Pass Loop, run in a day, 27 miles, 10,000 felt of elevation gain 8.0 hours 2016: Power of Four SkiMo Race, 25 miles, 10,000 vertical gain. 8 hours. 2015: Four Pass Loop, run in a day, 27 miles, 10,000 felt of elevation gain 8.5 hours. 2014: Rim2Rim2Rim, Grand Canyon: 43 miles, 22,000 feet of elevation gain and loss, 13 hours running time 2013: Ski Ascent Mt Blanc, Chamoix France, April/ Summit Mauna Loa, HI 13,670/ Surfed La Jolla, Nosara-Costa Rica 2012: Learned to Surf, started Surf Like a Girl clinics coordinated with Surf Diva, La Jolla CA; Surfed 30+ days, La Jolla, Nosara – Costa Rica, Tavarua Island- Fiji, Waikiki & Hawaii Kai, HI 2011: Redpointed 5.12b, 5.12c, Repeated redpoint of Autumn Ivy, Sandia Wilderness, 5.12 Trad 2010: Hit loads of new PR’s in gym, see stats 2009: FFA/Red Pointed “Autumn Ivy”, Sandia Wilderness, 5.12 Trad; and Sport 5.12a & 12b. Heliski in Terrace BC; Guided a 12-day Ski Mountaineering trip in the Ortler Region of Italy; 100,000 vertical (up & down) mostly self-propelled. 2008: Opened a private, invitation-only training facility, hidden in the foot hills of the Sandia Mountain Wilderness, aka RIPPLE EFFECT 2007: Guided the Haute Route (ski mountaineering tour through the Alps, from Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland following the Verbier variation), 60 miles, 20,000′ of elevation gain. 2006: Passed AMGA Rock Guide Exam, Red Rock Nevada. Guided the Haute Route (ski mountaineering tour through the Alps, from Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland), 60 miles, 20,000′ of elevation gain 2005: Mount Taylor Winter Quadrathlon (Ride, Run, Ski, Snowshoe – 43 miles, 4800 ft elevation gain), 1st place (35-39), 7th female overall in 5:19:35; Established NM based guide service and created her women’s rock and ice climbing series “Climb Like A Girl”. 2004: First ascent of “The Promised Land”, Sandia Wilderness, Grade V, 5.12c 2003: Defined Fitness Duathlon Albuquerque, NM, Run 5k, Bike 20k, Run5 k, 1st place 2002: Founded RIPPLEFFECT Training, FFA- Dancing on the Moon 5.11, 2xBW DL 255# at the time. 2001: Expedition to Makalu: Climber and Trip Sponsorship Coordinator for the American Makalu Expediaton; the 5th highest mountain in the world. 1999: Climbed “Nemesis” on the Stanley Headwall, Canadian Rockies, 150m, WI 6; 1998: Climbed Mt Stewart – TH to TH in 12hrs; 1997: Climbed a Grade V in a day, “Epinephrine”, Red Rocks, in 5 hours. Guided 20+ 5-6,000M Peaks South America, Ecuador and Bolivia. 1996: Climbed “Iron Hawk” 5.9, A4+, VI El Capitan, Yosemite 1993-1994: Began Climbing guiding career, education with AMGA, first training certification, Imogene Pass Run 93 & 94 – 1st age group 20 – 29,3rd overall. 1994 Sandia Crossing Run 27miles 1st Female. 1988-92 USCF Cat 2 Road Cyclist, NORBA Expert Mountain Bike Racer, Winter Telemark- ski ascents: SF Baldy, Truchas Peak, Lake Fork Peak, Wheeler Peak. Founder of Women’s Mtn Biking Clinics: Bike Repair/Technique for Riding. EMT-Basic, WFR, W-EMT. Level I & II Avalanche Training
ALPINE
Guided and or climbed 1996 – 2013 South America: Cotopaxi (19,300ft): Cayambe (18 ,995ft): Antisana (19,100ft); Illiniza Sur (17,600ft) and Norte (17,300ft) in Ecuador. Pyrimide Blanca, West Face AI 3,(17,200ft); Peq. Alpamayo, Normal Route & West Face AI 4 (17,700ft); Huayna Potosi, Standard Route AI 3 (19,800ft); Illimani, West Ridge (21,100ft); in Bolivia. North America: North Ridge Mt. Baker (10,781ft) AI 4 Grade IV, Coleman Deming Route, Easton Glacier Route. Glacier Peak(10,541ft), Frostbite Ridge AI3 4th class; Mt Shuksan (9131ft) Fischer Chimney’s and Sulphide Glacier Routes: Mt Daniel, (7960ft) Daniel Glacier Route; Forbidden Peak (8815ft) West Ridge AI 3 5.7; Mt. Stuart (9,415ft) Stuart Glacier Couloir”, IV, WI3, 5.6, WA, car-to-car in 16hrs. Enclosure Couloir & Northwest Ridge”, IV, AI3, 5.7, Enclosure, Tetons, WY, North Ridge of the Grand Teton (13,770ft) 5.8 V, CMC Route Mount Moran (12,065ft), NW Couloir Middle Teton (13,200ft) AI 4 easy 5th. East ridge of Teewinot (12,325ft) 5.8 var. Teton National Park, WY France: Mont Blanc, Ski Summit 15,781ft; Chere Couloir, D, Mont Blanc Du Tacul (AI4+ M4); Cosmiques Arete PD+, Aguille du Midi; South Face Aguille du Midi, Contamine Route III 11.a, Rebuffet Route IV 5.10; Point Lachanel; Pollux AD SW ridge; West Flank of Dom Peak, Switzerland, highest peak (entirely) in Switzerland.
ROCK
5.12 I Autumn Ivy, Sandia Wilderness NM; 5.11a lll Midsummer Nights Dream/Sex Comedy, Black Canyon, CO; 5.11a lll Comic Relief, Lightning Bolt Cracks, Black Canyon, CO; 5.12c V FA The Promise Land Sandia Wilderness, NM; 5.11b/c I Spaghetti Western, On sight, Indian Creek, UT; 5.10b III Johnny Quest Questa Dome, NM; 5.10+ IV Inti Watanna, Red Rock, NV; 5.11b/c ll FA Sister Sledge, Sandia Wilderness, NM; 5.11a ll Western Justice, On sight, Sandia Wilderness, NM; 5.12a lll VooDoo Child, Sandia Wilderness, NM; 5.11a IV Levitation 29 Red Rock, NV; 5.8 A2 V Lowe Route, Angels Landing, Zion, UT; 5.8 A3 IV Super Glide, Sandia Wilderness, NM; 5.9 A4 VI Iron Hawk, Yosemite, CA; 5.11c lll North Face, Monster Tower, Canyon Lands, UT; 5.10d lll Washer Woman Tower, Canyon Lands, UT; 5.10a lll Chapelle de Gliere, Chamonix, FR; 5.11c lll Voix Contamine, S Face Aguille du Midi; 5.10b/c IV Voix Rebuffet, S Face Aguille du Midi; 5.11b/c IV Luna Bong, Verdon, France; 5.10b/c ll Coeur de Verre, Verdon, France; 5.11 A0 IV The Grand Wall, Squamish, BC; 5.11 c/d ll SA Dancing on the Moon, Sandia Wilderness, NM; 5.11a ll Fine Jade, Castle Valley, UT; 5.11 d ll Crime of the Century, Squamish, BC; 5.11d IV Cloud Tower, Red Rock, NV; 5.9 V Epinephrine, Red Rocks, NV; 5.11a lll Lightning Bolt Cracks, North Six Shooter, UT
ICE
The Rigid Designator WI 4/5 II; The Fang WI 5/6 II; Redstone Pillar WI4; Secret Probation M7; Dexter Creek Slab WI3/4 III; Skyrocket WI5 III; Senator Gulch WI 4/5; The RibbonWI4 V; The Skylight WI 5 M5/6; Choppo’s Chimney WI 4/5 II; Slip Sliddin’ Away WI4 M5 II; Slippery When Wet WI 4/5 M5 II; Chockstone Chimney WI 4/5 II; Horsetail Falls WI 4/5 II; Coronet Falls WI4 –; The Fang WI5 II; Bridalveil Falls WI5+ IV; Silver Pick Falls WI 4+/5 I; Ames Ice Hose WI 5 III; Ames Falls WI4/5 I; Cracked Canyon Ice Fall, WI 5 M5; Sundance WI 4/5 I; Cataract Creek WI 3/4; Direct North Face WI 4/5 III; Snowblind WI 5 III; Bad Ass Pencil WI 5/6 I; Whore House Hoses WI 4/5 IV; Stairway To Heaven WI 4 IV; Gold Rush WI 4/5 III; Second Gully WI4 III; Haflin Canyon WI 4/5; Lime Creek WI 4+ II; Treasure Falls WI4+ II; Moratorium WI 4/5 II; The Mean Green WI 5 III; High on Boulder WI 4+ III; Gibraltar Wall WI 4; Essondale Right WI 4+ III; Carlsberg Column WI 5 III; Louise Falls WI 4 – 5 II; Lower and Upper Weeping Wall WI 5+ IV; Mixed Master 5.8 WI 5 IV; Ice Nine WI 5+; Kitty Hawk WI 5 IV; Rainbow Serpent WI 6 III; Malignant Mushroom WI 5 II; Professor Falls WI 4 III; Murchison Falls, My Daddy’s a psycho Variation WI 5+ III; SARS on Ice WI3/4 III; Five Seven Zero WI 4 III; Pilsner Pillar WI 6 III; Nemesis VI, WI 6.
Betsy Dain-Owens
Instructor/Trainer/Guide
Betsy grew up in the Pacific Northwest, with the mountains, rivers and rocky coastlines as her playground. Remote landscapes, harsh conditions, and the company of those who “get it” energize and inspire her.
Betsy has been working with Carolyn since 2012. She is dedicated to the continuous learning of new tools and techniques – both inside and outside of the gym – that effect self-growth, injury prevention, and blasting through obstacles. In addition to her work at Ripple Effect Training, Betsy teaches AIARE avalanche rescue and safety classes for Paragon Guides and Colorado Mountain College, runs trips domestically and internationally for International Mountain Guides, and teaches climbing and rock rescue for Colorado Mountain College. She also most recently helped Tanice Kitchener, DPT (Rocky Mountain Therapros) develop and launch her Blood Flow Restriction Training Program.
Dead Lift 225# Front Squat 135# Back Squat 160# Over Head Squat 80# Clean 100# Jerk 95# TGU 50# BSSU 55# SLSLDL 105# Bench Press 95# 30” Box Jump Pull Ups 15, Single Rep Max @ +20# Row 500m 1:48 Row 1000m 3:59 Row 2000m 8:11 AD 1:00 All Out 36cal AirDyne 10:00 All Out 182cal
Certifications
NCSA Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist StrongFirst Barbell Level 1 Course StrongFirst Kettle Bell Course SFMA Level 1 Certification AMGA Rock Guide Course AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Certification Wilderness First Responder NREMT-Basic American Avalanche Association Professional Level 1 Certification AIARE Avalanche Course Instructor AIARE Level I & II, Instructor Training Courses Rigging for Rescue Waterfall Ice Climbing and Rescue Course Swift Water Rescue Technician Leave No Trace Master Educator
Accomplishments:
ALPINE/SKI
Power of Four SkiMo Race, Aspen CO Expedition Leader, Cordillera Blanca, Peru: Mount Pisco (Pisco Oeste), 18,871 ft, SW Ridge, Alpine PD+, 30°- 45° Mount Ishinca, 18,200 ft, Normal Route, Alpine PD- Expedition Leader, Cordillera Huayhuash, Peru: Diablo Mudo, 17,552 ft, NW Ridge, Alpine PD, 45-55º, 5.6 rock Cordillera Huayhuash Circuit, 80 miles @ 12,000-17,500 ft Mount Rainier (14,410 ft), Washington, 40+ summits since 2014, via the Disappointment Cleaver, Kautz Ice Chute and Emmons Glacier Routes Ski Descent, Emmons Glacier, Mount Rainier Ski Ascent and Descent, Ski Hayden Peak (13,316 ft), Colorado Ski Ascent and Descent, Mount Sopris (12,965 ft), Colorado Castle Peak (14,279 ft), Colorado Conundrum Peak (14,064 ft), Colorado Middle Truchas Peak ski ascent and descent, Truchas Mountains, New Mexico Expedition Guide, Aconcagua (22,837 ft), Argentina Mount Baker (10,781 ft), Washington, ski ascent and descent via the Coleman-Deming Route Mount Shuksan (9,131 ft), Washington, via the Sulphide Glacier Route Little Tahoma (11,138 ft), Washington Aguja Guillaumet, Argentina; via the Brenner-Moschioni Route (300m, 30º, 6b) Mt. Tocllaraju (~19,790 ft), Peru, via the Northwest Ridge Route Mt. Ishinca (~18,200 ft), Peru, ascended Northwest Ridge, descended Southwest Ridge Mt. Urus (~17,900 ft), Peru, via the Normal Route Grand Teton (13,770ft), multiple summits via the Owen Spaulding Route and Upper Exum Ridge Garibaldi Neve Traverse with Clinker Peak Variation, 30 miles single push on skis, Coast Mountains, British Columbia
ROCK (Multi-pitch Traditional)
Bird on a Wire, 5.10, Joshua Tree, CA Dappled Mare, 5.8, Joshua Tree, CA Right On, 5.6, Joshua Tree, CA Western Saga, 5.9, Joshua Tree, CA Taliban Blues, 5.9-, Grade II, Hagermann Pass, CO Bear Mountain Picnic Massacre, 5.8, Questa Dome, NM Serpentine Crack, 5.8, Tres Piedras, NM Casually Off Route, 5.9, Grade II, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, CO Sifuentes Weber (5.9, Grade II, 100m), Aguja Frey, The Frey, Argentina Naca Naca Crunch Crunch (5+, 120m), El Abuelo, The Frey, Argentina Clemenso (5+, 150m), Torre Principal, The Frey, Argentina Shiva la de los cuatro brazos, (5+, 100m), El Pirimidal, The Frey, Argentina Diedro de Jim, 5+, Aguja Frey, The Frey, Argentina South Face / South Sixshooter (5.7 Grade II), Indian Creek, Utah Jah Man / Sister Superior (5.10c Grade II), Castle Valley, Utah Angel’s Crest (5.10b, Grade IV), Squamish Chief, British Columbia The Squamish Buttress-Butt Face Variation (5.9, Grade III), Squamish Chief, British Columbia Holland-Davis Route (5.10c, 400′, Grade III), Index, Washington Outer Space, 5.9, Grade III, Leavenworth, WA Warpy Moople (5.9, 800′, Grade III), Sandia Crest, Sandia Mountains, New Mexico
Caitlin Kinney
Instructor/Trainer
Caitlin grew up in Carbondale, where her passion for the mountains and the outdoors began. She is a graduate of California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo, CA. Through also living in Baja Mexico, Bend, Hood River OR, Australia and traveling to places such as Europe, Bali, New Zealand and Australia, she found that her heart truly belongs back in Carbondale.
In terms of the mountains, Caitlin enjoys skiing, skinning, hiking, running, and mountain biking. To her, the mountains are her meditation, her grounding force and where she feels she belongs. Outside of mountain sports, Caitlin enjoys surfing, kite surfing, yoga and riding her horse in the local Carbondale rodeos.
To her, Ripple is more than just a gym. It is a safe and positive place to encourage people to become the best version of themselves both mentally and physically. The uplifting characters and unique backgrounds of those who walk through the door constantly inspire her. She loves the sense of community that Ripple brings, as well as the opportunities that allow her to consistently learn tools aiding in self growth, correct alignment, injury prevention, and how strength conditioning can transform a person’s ability to move through life in the best possible way outside the gym.
Caitlin feels incredibly grateful to be apart of such a unique, quality team at the Ripple Effect. Her passion for the outdoors, love for movement, desire for learning, teaching and wellness all interplay into her role at the gym.
Accomplishments: Mountains: Haute Route Trek From France to Switzerland, Europe Longs Peak, Estes Park CO Sopris Peak, Carbondale CO Great Ocean Road Trek, Australia Mt. Batur, Bali Indonesia South Sister Peak, Bend OR
Running: Yosemite Half Marathon, Yosemite CA Aspen Valley Half Marathon, Aspen CO
Kitesurfing: Lord of the Wind Showdown Kitesurf Competition, Los Barriles Mexico Kiteboard 4 Cancer, Hood River OR CKA Ladies Wave competition, Morro Bay CA
Goals: …to continue to learn, explore and expand herself through the mountains, people and opportunities that the Roaring Fork Valley has to offer.
Jim Harris
Instructor/Trainer
Jim first came to the Ripple Effect to work on his recovery from a spinal cord injury that had originally left him paralyzed from the sternum down. Fast forward six years and hundreds of hours of gym work, physical therapy, research, willingness to try and try hard Jim has regained the ability to ride a mountain bike, skin and ski, walk with no external assistance, pack raft, and live a life full of mobility and adventure once again.
The balance point between psychological acceptance of his disability and the continued will to lean against his limitations are always in flux. Jim’s role as a RE trainer and athlete helps him achieve that balance while continuing to improve his physical proprioception. Jim is delighted to be part of the RE team.
He is additionally a talented photographer and artist, so when not here or out with his friends in the mtns or on the river he can be found at his studio at SAW.
Six years ago, Jim Harris’ life made an abrupt turn. Jim had traveled to Chile for an expedition he and frequent travel partner Forrest McCarthy had dreamed up. The idea was to ski and packraft 350 miles down the length of the Patagonian Ice Cap. However, while practicing with a snow kite just before their departure, Jim fractured nine vertebrae and was instantly paralyzed from sternum down.
Prior to that accident, Jim’s life was intertwined with mountain sports. 2005 he graduated from college with degrees in Biology and Fine Art. Before starting grad school he opted to be a ski bum for one winter first, skiing by day and tuning skis at night. Soon Jim was working as an outdoor educator, teaching mountaineering courses with Outward Bound and Alaska Mountain Guides and avalanche safety classes with AIARE. He has yet to enroll in grad school.
In 2009 Jim spent a month backpacking Wrangell St Elias National Park in Alaska and the photos he posted online went viral, making the front page of Reddit twice. His trip report attracted the attention of pro ski mountaineers who invited him on an Alaskan ski trip. So, Harris bought an inexpensive SLR camera and became the expedition’s photographer. Powder Magazine published those photos in a feature story Jim wrote about the trip. Other opportunities for photo and video work soon followed. His client list grew to include National Geographic, Camp4 Collective, and dozens of magazines and outdoor brands. And his trips grew more ambitious. Until he found himself paralyzed in a small Chilean hospital.
It took more than a week to reach definitive care and, since recovery outcomes from nerve trauma are often linked to how quickly circulation is restored to damaged tissue, doctors had little reason to believe that recovery from paralysis would be possible for him.
Improbably, Jim began to wiggle a toe several weeks after returning home. Soon more muscles began to twitch and six months after his spine injury Jim was able to stand with aid from a walker. On the one year anniversary of his accident, he and his brother Kyle skied the bunny slope while evening news cameras rolled. Since then, Jim has continued to push the limitations of his disability via mountain biking, skiing, hiking, and paddling.
Jim began training at Ripple Effect in 2015, about ten months into his SCI recovery. Carolyn and Jim spent hundreds of hours training together at RE as Carolyn sought ways to improve Jim’s neuromuscular coordination and strength. Over the following two years Jim progressed from using a walker to crutches, to trekking poles, and eventually to walking unassisted.
Training at Ripple Effect has translated both to Jim’s mountain sports capability and to his “real world rehab” goals like putting on pants while standing or carrying all the groceries in just one trip. The balance point between psychological acceptance of his disability and the continued will to lean against his limitations are always in flux and his role as a RE athlete and trainer help with both. Jim is delighted to be part of the RE team.
Some outdoor accomplishments: 2009: Southern Spiral Traverse, AK, First foot crossing of the Granite Range. 2010: Ski first descents in Revelation Range, AK 2011: Ski first known descents of 20k’ peaks in Bolivia 2012: Ski descents of Mt Waddington and surrounding peaks 2013: Ski traverse of Northern Mongolia on assignment with National Geographic 2014: Ski descent of Grand Teton in powder conditions 2015: Relearned to walk, skied bunny slope 2016: Rode 101-mile White Rim Trail in three days 2017: Rode White Rim Trail in 13 hours, solo and unsupported 2018: Stopped caring particularly much about the achievements, and decided he’s more motivated for enjoyable outings and human connections.
You can connect with Jim on Instagram at @perpetualweekend or see his art gorgeousstorm.com
Kristine Glauber
Instructor/Trainer
Kristine began training at Ripple Effect soon after moving to Carbondale in 2020. Drawn by the RE training philosophy, the community, as well as the opportunity to pursue her lifelong passion in coaching (previously fulfilled in youth swimming and rock climbing), she joined the RE coaching staff in early 2022.
Kristine believes person powered play is the purest avenue to knowing about ourselves, others, and the world around us. She learned this lesson through first-hand experience in graduate school in Southern California. Movement on the wall and on the yoga mat provided a means to expand her awareness beyond the realm of matters of the mind- the moving meditations of rock climbing and yoga opened doors to embodiment, and ways of knowing beyond the logic of Science.
Davis Cowles
Instructor/Trainer
Davis is a Life, Breath, & Movement Coach, and founder of Moon & Back–a community-centric movement designed to support you in the task of living well. At the core of Davis’ work on personal growth is the notion that, despite the messages with which we’re inundated these days, there’s no silver bullet. Positive transformation and profound growth are absolutely possible. They also require consistent, committed, and conscious effort. With a deep background in wilderness-based leadership education, Davis supports curious and bold individuals in finding the joy latent in that process, invariably with an aspect of embodiment.
His greatest teacher is the living Earth beneath our feet, and dancing with gravity in the mountains brings him alive. Some of the trainings and certs he’s picked up along the way include: Professional Life Coach , Certified Breath Coach (YOGABODY Teachers College), Wilderness First Responder (WFR), Certified Yoga Teacher (RYT-200), Single Pitch Instructor (AMGA SPI) Training, Swiftwater Rescue Training (SRT-1), Mental Health First Aid, AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Training, High School Teaching Experience (Spanish & Biology).
Carolyn Williams
Instructor/Trainer
Carolyn moved to Carbondale to continue her work as an educator at the Colorado Rocky Mountain School where she could share her passion for climbing and skiing with her students as a teacher and outdoor trip leader. After several years, she moved on to found a college counseling private practice which she operated for fifteen years. All the while, mountain sports have served as a foundation for her fitness and connection to family and friends.
She appreciates how the training at Ripple Effect allows her to feel stronger and more efficient in the alpine environment. From trail running to gravel biking to every form of skiing, Carolyn ventures into the mountains at every opportunity. To focus her alpine training, she has entered races over time, such as the Dead Horse Point Ultra, Grand Traverse, Power of Four, and Steamboat Gravel. She is also passionate about adventure travel, and has enjoyed completing the Tour of Mont Blanc, Via Valais, Annapurna Circuit, and biking in Tuscany. She finds that yoga provides the mental and physical recovery and mobility needed for optimal health, and teaches yoga at Kula and True Nature Healing Arts.
Carolyn is eager to share the benefits of Ripple Effect as a coach for local athletes and looks forward to helping them reach their goals.
