LEX ROGERS : WHY I SLUT STRAND

[Why I Slut Strand ]: HEYYY THERE,
My name is Lexi (@lex_ology ) . Currently living in Denver as a graphic designer after a stint in Breckenridge, working for the Summit Daily. I'm from Ohio and graduated from OU. I was interning in Chicago after graduation, and when I didn't get that job I was so lost. Ignoring stranger danger, I agreed to let a dude I met online fly out to Chicago, help me pack my car up and drive to Seattle with no plan. When winter came, he suggested I apply to work at Crystal Mountain - that changed my whole life.

I immediately fell in love with skiing, snowboarding, the mountains...leading to picking up or trying out other hobbies...climbing, rafting, y'know. This culture was something foreign to me, like nothing I grew up around. I worked seasonal jobs all over the West and while I always felt so welcomed by everyone everywhere I went, I still felt out of place, typically always being the only black person or one of very few women. Those two things mixed with not being as skilled or knowledgeable in the outdoors intimidated me. Of course that was a personal mental block that I had to get over, to get better.

I slut strand because I know now that looking cute doesn't degrade your skills or worth. Because I own a lot of wigs and they need to be seen. But mostly because I want there to be more diversity in the outdoors. Just being present in that space, sharing it, and being able to see other people that look like you - it makes a big difference. Beyond that, most sports ain't cheap. Financial hurdles bar so many people from trying something out. So I'm so stoked to be part of the team, to learn from these other badass women, and hopefully to give something back.