BigSky
x = independently organized TED event

This event occurred on
January 25, 2020
Big Sky, Montana
United States

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

Warren Miller Performing Arts Center
45465 Gallatin Road
Big Sky, Montana, 59716
United States
Event type:
Standard (What is this?)
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Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check event website for more information.

Amanda Stevens

Coming soon.

Bob Hall

Bob has worn many hats over the years, Wall Street executive, fashion industry investor, philanthropist, outdoorsman and dad, all of this while skiing 100 days a year. He lost his father at a young age, and has always had more ambition than brains that has led to a full life of challenges! Bob has filled several accidental Chairman’s roles in public company, independent school and even the US Biathlon Boards.

Bobby Gill

Bobby Gill leads development and communications for the Savory Institute – a non-profit teaching farmers, ranchers, and pastoralist communities across the globe to regenerate the world’s grasslands with Holistic Management. Whether it be the Maasai in Kenya, gauchos in Patagonia, sheepherders in Norway, or cowboys in the American West, the Savory Global Network has trained land managers of all types to utilize the land-regenerating potential of Holistic Management within their cultural and ecological context. Since 2009, Savory has begun regenerating over 25 million acres of desertifying grasslands to address the root cause of food, water, and climate security.

Bode Miller

Bode Miller is an American Alpine skier who won six Olympic medals – more than any other American skier – and won the men’s world cup overall title in 2005 and 2008. Miller was born in the heart of the White Mountains in New Hampshire. He grew up at the Cannon Mountain Ski Area. In a community that lives a simple life, he was raised in a house without electricity or plumbing on 450 acres of land. Bode was only two when he began sliding down his driveway with strap-on skis and a homemade snowboard. By age four, he was skiing almost every day that there was snow on the ground. At age eight, he started ski racing. And at age 14, he began attending Carrabassett Valley Academy, a ski academy in Sugarloaf, Maine. Since then, Bode Miller has become the most successful American alpine ski racer of all time. He is considered one of the greatest World Cup racers of all time, with 33 race victories, eleven Olympic and world championship medals, and one of five men to win in all five disciplines (downhill, super-G, giant slalom, slalom, combines), and one of two men to accomplish the feat in a single season. His career highlights include: Double Silver Medals at the 2002 Winter Olympics World Championships: In 2003, he became the first American to win two gold medals in a single World Championships. In the 2004-2005 season, he recorded six World Cup wins and took the overall title, and the super-G title, as well as two gold medals in the world championships. Independent World Cup Champion (2007-2008): After leaving the U.S. Team, Miller captured his second World Cup overall title. Olympic Triple (2010): After rejoining the U.S. team, Bode won his first Olympic gold in super combined at the Vancouver Games and took home a silver and bronze in other disciplines. Miller became known for his fearless, unorthodox and fast skills. He stated that his basic goal as a skier was not to win medals but rather to ski “as fast as the natural universe will allow”. His personality and world-class ski racing skills made him stand out both on and off the ski hill. He published his autobiography “Bode: Go Fast, Be Good, Have Fun”, written with Jack McEnany, in 2005. Throughout his career, Miller has worked with many ski and apparel companies, such as K2, Atomic, Kjus, Nike, Head Alpine Equipment, Fischer and Rossignol. In 2015, he decided to join Bomber Ski with the goal of making the best skis in the world. He partnered with Aztech Mountain, a high-end sportswear maker. And has also exchanged his vast expertise for equity at bag maker, Esperos. Bode founded the Turtle Ridge Foundation in 2005. Several years of helping work through the challenges his close family friend faced as a paraplegic, after a car crash, made it clear that a solution was needed on a larger scale. Since then, the Turtle Ridge Foundation has been impactful nation-wide with grants, events, and leadership on creating programs to assist youth sports and adaptive sports of all kinds. In 2017, Bode Miller officially retired from competitive skiing to spend more time with his family, to act as an on-air ski racing analyst for NBC, and to focus on his new-found passion of horse training.

Chris Adams

Chris Adams has been living with Crohn’s disease for more than 33 years, and has endured countless surgeries & complications. His unique outlook on life has enabled him to persevere, overcome, and connect with a world that he could have never imagined. Chris is now the Board President for the Northwest Chapter of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation and works closely with Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready (also a Crohn’s patient) on raising awareness and finding a cure for those affected by IBD.

Christine Baker

Christine started skiing Big Sky with her family in 1981. She fell in love with the mountain, the town, the people, the skiing, and everything that came with it. In 1982 (at age 6), she told her parents she was going to stay and she’d see them next year. “What are you going to do?” her parents asked. “Be a ski instructor,” she replied. It didn’t happen that year, but eventually it did.

Eric Stevens

Eric and Amanda Stevens met as collegiate athletes in the University of California-Berkeley. They were married on July 27, 2019 and one month later, to the day, Eric was diagnosed with ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease. Since then, the Stevens couple along with their family and friends have been battling the toughest fight of their lives--against ALS and against time.

Kate Atwood

Kate Atwood is an entrepreneur, executive, and community leader whose career spans creating and growing impact initiatives in all business sectors. At 23, Kate founded Kate’s Club, an organization that provides support to children and teens facing life after the death of a parent or sibling. Having lost her mother at 12, Kate recognized first-hand the importance of community and support after such a life-changing event. Kate’s Club serves thousands of children and families each year through direct services, strategic outreach partnerships, and national advocacy efforts. Today, Kate is the CEO of THEA, the first city-based video-on-demand streaming platform, and lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

Michael Peterson

Photographer/Filmmaker Michael is the founder and creative force behind Peterson Pro Media and partner in Peterson Hawley Productions. He is a lifestyle photographer and filmmaker who captures environmental portraits and expansive landscapes. His love of the outdoors and passion for the preservation of the land, animals and those who live in it lends the imagery he captures to be timeless and relevant. In 2005 Michael returned home to the Pacific Northwest after nearly 20 years working in Hollywood, his film credits include Independence Day, Contact, Armageddon and Star Trek First Contact. Recently Peterson directed the award winning documentary film Dammed to Extinction.

Molly Sides

Molly Sides and Whitney Petty are founding members of Seattle based all-female rock n’ roll band, Thunderpussy. Since the band’s formation in 2015, they have toured extensively throughout the US, UK, Canada, and Europe. In 2017 the band signed with Stardog/Republic records and the following year released their eponymous debut, followed by the extended play, ‘Milk It,’ in 2019. Thunderpussy is dedicated to sparking conversation, connectivity, and building community through shared experience wherever they go.

Riley Becker

Riley is a senior at Big Sky Discovery Academy who fell in love with being outside from the very start, and by growing up in Big Sky Montana, it isn’t hard to imagine how her love and appreciation for the environment was cultivated. As an outdoor enthusiast, she’s learned that nothing brings more joy and tranquility than indulging in all that nature has to offer. Riley has been fortunate enough to see different parts of our world, and quickly grew to understand the importance of the environment and how it connects people around the globe. She loves doing nothing more than skiing, and can’t adequately imagine the following generations experiencing life without the presence of a healthy ecosystem.

Steven Hawley

Steven Hawley is a writer from Hood River, Oregon. He is the writer and co-producer of the documentary film Dammed to Extinction, and author of the book Recovering a Lost River. His work has appeared in Outside, High Country News, and The Drake Magazine. In spring of 2020, Patagonia Books will publish Steve’s next book, on the world-wide movement to prevent and remove dams.

Whitney Petty

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Organizing team

Ersin
Ozer

Organizer