Ben Anderson is a husband and a dad of two beautiful daughters. He lives in Evergreen, Colorado and teaches geography at Conifer High School. He enjoys distance running, skiing, and camping with family with his black Toyota Tacoma. Ben used to be my rock climbing and cross-country coach (along with Ben Hershelman) when I was growing up. Ben introduced me to the outdoor climbing world by taking me to spots like Moab, Vedauwoo, and Canyon City, some of my favorite memories from middle and early high school!
In this conversation, Ben reflects on his journey from being a professional skier to becoming a teacher and father. He discusses the challenges and joys of fatherhood and the importance of being present in his daughters' lives. Ben also explores the different stages of life and the struggle to define his identity beyond his past accomplishments. He shares his experiences teaching at JA and the impact of relationships on his teaching career. Ben concludes by discussing his transition to Conifer High School and his decision to step back from coaching to prioritize his role as a father and husband. We explore various themes related to retirement, identity, meaningful relationships, family, uncertainty about the future, marriage, the American Dream, the pressure of the rat race, affordable housing and homeownership, and the power of positive words.
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Takeaways
Fatherhood is a rewarding and fulfilling role that requires being present and cherishing the time spent with children.
Identity can evolve and change over time, and it is important to embrace new roles and experiences.
Building strong relationships with students and colleagues is a crucial aspect of teaching and can have a lasting impact.
Finding a balance between work and personal life is important for overall well-being and happiness.
Reflecting on past accomplishments and embracing new challenges can help in navigating different stages of life.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Catching Up
02:45 Reflecting on the Past and Changing Relationships
06:42 The Challenges and Joys of Fatherhood
09:59 The Different Stages of Life and Identity
15:06 Moving to Conifer and Embracing the Outdoors
22:44 Meeting Amy and the Certainty of Love
31:47 Teaching at JA and the Impact of Relationships
39:44 Transitioning to Conifer High School and Coaching
44:37 Exploring Identity and the Midlife Crisis
46:19 The Importance of Family and Retirement Thoughts
46:49 Retirement and Identity
47:49 Meaningful Relationships
48:56 Struggling with Identity
49:49 Importance of Family
50:40 Uncertainty about the Future
51:54 Marriage as a Journey
53:05 The American Dream and Winning the Lottery
54:24 The Work of Relationships
55:24 The Illusion of 'Making It'
55:55 The Pressure of the Rat Race
56:49 The Struggle for Affordable Housing
58:24 The Privilege of Homeownership
59:14 The Importance of Positive Words
01:16:52 Words of Wisdom: Be Positive and Take Action