“Success is not finite. It’s a series of failures that you experience as you move from Point A to Point B.” This is a mindset that Andy Newell, 4x Olympian and World Cup professional nordic skier, embraces as an athlete and coach, and it has served him well in his career and other aspects of his life.
Andy has retired from competitive skiing and now coaches elite athletes through his business, Nordic Team Solutions. The athletes he coaches train as a team but ultimately end up competing against each other in World Cup races. “I stress to my team that everyone can achieve success. Success is not finite. Just because one of the athletes wins doesn’t mean someone else didn’t achieve a goal at the same time. We can celebrate each other’s success; that only makes the team and all the individuals on that team stronger.”
“Success is not finite. It’s a series of failures that you experience as you move from Point A to Point B.”
Learning to be a good teammate is one of the most important benefits of playing sports. Navigating how to be an individual athlete competing against other team members is another level all together. Andy incorporates team building into his program, by removing athletes from a competitive environment and building character and bonds off the snow. “We have a book club, and other opportunities for individuals to interact and engage with each other in a non-competitive environment. Individual success comes from establishing a great support system, and that includes relationships with other team members.”
“Learning how to foster those relationships with teammates can lead to success in other areas outside of sports,” says Newell. “Family dynamics, business relationships..it’s all based on being a good communicator. Being a good listener, accepting constructive criticism and being able to admit when you are wrong are skills you learn through sports and ultimately impact your entire life.”
As a junior athlete growing up in Vermont, Andy was fortunate to have a positive support system in his parents and coaches. He played multiple sports as a kid but started focusing solely on nordic skiing when he was 15. Now a Champion for Every Kid Sports, he understands that many kids have limited access to sports, and is especially excited to give more kids the opportunity to experience the joy of skiing. Now residing in Bozeman, MT, where he launched his business, Andy also serves as a coach for the Bridger Ski Foundation, and is in discussion with the YMCA about starting an introductory ski program that would get more kids on-snow. The idea is to have a low-cost program that would be affordable to more families, and at the same time educate potential participants about the availability of the Every Kid Sports Pass.
These types of collaborations, between youth-serving organizations and Champions of Every Kid Sports, broaden our outreach and result in more possibilities for kids to experience the joy of sports. We appreciate your enthusiasm and support, Andy!
– Every Kid Sports