The idea that changed it all while seating on the toilet and looking at Instagram!

As I was seating on the toilet and taking a mini break from it all, I started browsing my Instagram feed. My well trained thumb was scrolling at rapid pace, when it stopped abruptly on a video posted by my cousin Franky. It was one of those Go-Pro POV thing that makes you feel you are in the heart of the action. Franky was snowboarding his tale off down a steep, fresh powdered slope of the world famous freeride spot La Grave (Southern French Alps). Meanwhile two other people skiing in front of him (his clients) were howling in joy! It was pure happiness.  

As my mind drifted into the small screen for a second, I felt like I was the one shredding on that fresh powder! But I wasn’t, and not only that, but I hadn’t skied a day in two years. Not a single slope, not one little turn, not one step on the snow. For the first time in my life, ever since I was 2 1/2 years old, I didn’t ski. I came up with a million bullshit excuses explaining to myself why I didn’t. The kids are so little, I am so busy, I didn’t have enough time, so much to do, it’s too expensive, I have so much work with the new company, my wife doesn’t like skiing, the sky is blue, and roses are red. 

“Oh cry me a river, Xavier Tournaud” you might say. “People are starving in the world, loosing their homes and you are complaining about the fact that you aren’t skiing, WTF??!” And you would be absolutely right about that, but it goes a little deeper than that my friend. Let me continue with the story!  

At this point, it was no longer just about skiing. It was about where my life ended-up, what I allowed my life to become, and how much I had given up on. What else was there? Where else have I compromised? When did I get lost?   

So I put the phone on the side for a moment, and sat on that throne in silence. Questions came pouring-in! Why did I allow myself to get to this point in my life? Why did I give up one of the things I love the most? Why did I allow my circumstances to prevent me from doing things that make me feel so ridiculously good! What else have I given up on? That incredible sensation of skiing, so impossible to describe to those who don’t practice the sport, I missed it all of sudden, I needed it, and I needed it right now. I was angry and became so mad at myself! Because it was no longer just about skiing, but about the choices I had made and the things I had given up on, and more importantly, I had given up on myself. 

I had to find a solution, some kind of a remedy to the situation at hand, and regain control of my life. But how?  

As I was pondering about my pathetic situation, I started recalling my heroes. My dad for example who, despite his lack of running experience, a super busy life running a large dredging business, three kids, took on the challenge of signing up for the NYC marathon just after a 25 minutes jog with his friend Bernard.  “Let’s do it they said” and shook hands and that was it. Little that we knew, that event would kicked off a series of incredible adventures like the “Paris-Dakar Rally Race”, the “Altas Rally Race” and so much more. 

My dad Jean-Claude Tournaud (#12829) in the middle and Bernard Aimé (#8760)on the left both arriving the finish line.

The Atlas Rally Race and Jean-Claude Tournaud. That was my dad's first time ever racing Rally Race. The following year, he ended up going to the Paris-Dakar!

I started recalling @Tombilyeu and his fantastic show @ImpactTheory, a series that explores the mindsets of the world's highest achievers who has inspired me to achieve so much in business. People like Dr Joe Dispensa, Garren Jones, James Lawrene, David Goggins and so many more. What all of these people have in common, is this incredible positif and driven mind set that allows them to reach incredible levels of success in the own field but also in their lives.   

I knew, I had take action and I knew I had to do it right there and then!   

Still seating on that toilet, I sent a message to my cousin Francky. “I need to talk to you ASAP, it is URGENT”. A moment later, Franky called me, slightly concerned. What’s going on? Are you ok? No Francky, I am not ok, I replied. I have given up on myself, I haven’t skied in a long time. Help me!  

Franky was a bit confused I must say. How can I help? he said.  

My reply was something like this:  

“I want to put together the most awesome and incredible skiing trip, EVER. I want to ski with powder up to my knees, I want to be on the highest tops in Europe, I want to see the Mt Blanc. I want to ski in France, in Switzerland, and Italy. I want to go from the most incredible giant ski resorts to the small awesome hidden secret spots that you know. I want to have great food and have lunch in high altitude refuge. I want to be dropped off by a helicopter and make my own lines in fresh snow. I want to race snowmobiles, have a blast with a small group of people, and all that, in one trip across Europe! Oh and, I want to film it all with a professional videographer, filming it documentary style, with Go-pro’s, drone, stabilizer and all the rest. By the way I already have the guy for the job, I am sure he will be on board!  

Pictures of the spots we will actually visit during the trip!

Then there was this amazing silence, so peaceful! Francky’s response was like a sports car engine coughing as it is about to firing up, and all sudden it does! The exhaust goes nuts, the roar can be heard a mile away, the power is so overwhelming you know it is about to be on, and you better buckle up!  

All he said, in his usual casual cool demeanor, stress free attitude: “Is that all you want?” To which I replied: “Yeah for now!”. I see, well no problem couz, Let’s put it together. I will call you next week” he said before hanging up!  

So, we did put together that damn trip, and I am so happy and so proud to present it to you. If like me, you have forgotten about yourself, may be this trip is for you too. Or maybe you are just a huge ski or snowboard fanatic, then this trip is for you too. In any case, check it out, let me know what you think, and if you like what you see, come share this experience with me, because you never know what this trip could really kick-start!  

Xavier Tournaud