Struggling With Balance & Sacrifice from Indo to Fort Mac: Taylor Godber Knows What It Takes

Top photo by Sasha Eillenna

Taylor Godber is an interesting girl. When I first met her years ago in Whistler, it would have been easy to lump her into the pile with all the other wanna-be pro shreds who end up spending all their time at the bar talking the talk but never really getting off their asses to actually put any of those plans into action. For years she's been a regular on the Whistler party scene, working in local bars and always at all the "right" parties, but right away I could tell she was different from the rest. Her attitude, combined with the fact that I would constantly see her around the resort as well as bump into her frequently deep in the Whistler Backcountry – along with, you know, some actual conversations – quickly made me realize that Taylor was in fact not only highly motivated but she also has a really great outlook on life, one that truly balances what needs to be done in order to accomplish one's goals. 

Snowboarding is a fucked up little world, especially living in the fishbowl of Whistler. People come and go at a furious rate, each one claiming to be the next great thing The Industry has ever seen. Everyone you meet seems to be on the path to becoming an international pro, yet no one seems to have any idea what that means or how to accomplish it besides following in the exact footsteps made by the dude in front of them. And that's the big problem. You can't expect greatness when all you put out into the world is a direct facsimile of what the last guy did. It just doesn't work like that. Although the path to becoming a pro seems to be clear-cut and laid out – get a few small sponsors, film a video part and wait for the cheques to roll in – if you actually take a look around at the few people who are really making waves in the industry – people like Travis Rice, Jake Blauvelt and Jeremy Jones – you'll notice quite quickly that they are in fact doing things radically different from said "path". (If that isn't a analogy for life I don't know what is!)

And that's where Taylor comes back into this little tale. Not afraid to follow her own path. Not afraid to leave all the comforts of life behind, put her head down and work tireless hours in the cesspool of the Canadian oil patch. Not afraid to explore alternative philosophies and lifestyles. Not afraid to speak her mind and tell people to fuck right off if the need arises. This is a woman who knows what's up. 

After publishing a phenomenal article/rant entitled Yes, I am a yoga teacher. Yes, I party a few month back, I gained a whole other level of respect for Taylor. Articulating what so many have thought but most have failed to express in a coherent way, she basically spelled out her life philosophy for the world – love it or hate it. The reaction was huge and immediate, no surprise of course in this world where we are so used to people just regurgitating the same old crap over and over.

We crave freshness and uniqueness and Taylor has both in heaps. And that's why there's no doubt in anyone's mind that she will make huge waves in this world, be it in snowboarding or otherwise. Because it's only those who can truly let go of society's expectations and pre-set "rules" that can do great things. Taylor is already there.

33MAG: How's your summer been? What have you been up to?

Taylor: My summer has been awesome. Full on, but great. I've been working in Fort McMurray, worked at Cowboys for Calgary Stampede, made it to Whistler for Billabong week up at Camp of Champions, back in the "dirty" mac and off to Kelowna for Center of Gravity this weekend. Slightly different than spending my previous summers in whistler or last summer in Tofino.

Every time I look, you seem to be in a different part of the world. Has travel always been a big part of your life?

I grew up in an airline family. So I have had the privilege of travelling my whole life. Flying standby, going on last minute trips, sleeping on airport floors when the flights were full, and travelling the world. I feel super fortunate to have had the opportunity to jet set often from a very young age. I am also one of the least grounded people I know. Which means I struggle to stay in whistler for a week without ducking out to Pemby, squamish or getting on a plane. My passions will keep globetrotting part of my lifestyle forever.

What's your favourite part of the world? Why?

Half my heart lies in the mountains and the other next to the sea. I love whistler. I started crying when I rolled into the mountains a few weeks ago. A product of not sleeping and realizing that Whistler truly is "home sweet home". I find it increasingly challenging to leave each time. The mountains, the backcountry, the Lakes, the people, the air, the water, the energy, the markets, the sense of community, the yoga, the art, the list goes on.

Breathtaking Indonesia takes a very close second. When the plane lands there I get the same euphoric "aha" feeling. Its magical and the surf is "mantap" (excellent). The people have it figured it out in terms of living a simple life. They are friendly, welcoming, and have a charisma that speaks that there is a "lightness" in everything in life. Everything slows down there and you are constantly reminded that its the little things that matter in life, not your" fancy car or diamond ring."

All that travel doesn't come cheap. How do you afford to go on these amazing trips?

I work. I work really hard for a few months out of the year so that I can see the world and work as little as possible in the winter time. I serve at a sports pub in Fort McMurray, teach the yoga abroad, do some personal training programs for friends, write, and paint. Thank goodness I like to travel to places that you can squeak by with roughly $500/month and live simply. As far as winter goes, sledding and truck gas along with pass prices are not so cheap, so I put my time in slanging drinks to riggers and pick up the occasional serving/bartending shifts in Whistler. I am working towards getting set up so that in the near future I can get by with purely passions versus working in a pub.

 

Working in Fort Mac can't be that easy. What made you start going up there as opposed to a more traditional avenue of work? What kind of opportunities are there for the ladies up there?

I made the trek up to Fort Mac 3 years ago. I was committed to not spending another fall in whistler because of the depressing rainy days and the lack of work. Some friends from Comox said that they were making great money working up there. I took the chance and opportunity and packed my bags, Mac bound.

Working in Fort Mac is interesting. With a population with an age average of 25-35 all of which take home at least $10 000/month, it fabricates very confident individuals, to say in the politest form. Large egos amongst the guys for having bursting money clips and the girls for getting more than just a little attention. To say the least I have acquired some life lessons in how to deal with drug douche bags and catty girls. If you don't have tough skin you better develop it quick otherwise it will destroy you.

With that being said there are some great people up here too. There always are. Those that are able to keep their heads in the direction of their goals; saving up for a house, to travel, to go to school, or paying off travelling and school. Slim pickings for sure though.
In reference to opportunities for the girls, it as nominated the #1place in the world to find true love, just kidding. Lots of work in the bars/pubs and lots of jobs with the actual oil companies. There is no work shortage here.
 

Is it gnarly for a young, single woman to be working up there? Any good stories?

My first year in Fort McMurray I moved into an apartment building that looked like it had mud smeared all over the outside walls. There were crack heads pacing on their balconies and I was scared to walk 10 minutes to work for fear of being attacked by some junky. I have had magazines and fruit thrown at me in a grocery store line up at 4pm because a random girl thought I was talking shit about her. Just to name a few stories.

It has definitely cleaned up in the past couple years. However, with that being said I was chased home by a drunk/high dude my first night back this year. You have to be careful about taking cabs, I have some friends that have been attacked. Its not a very safe place to be walking around alone, at least downtown. Its like any small town, there are always going to be creepers, you just need to use your intuition and common sense.

As far as the work environment I have had many unmentionable things said to me, all of which I will not repeat. Things that I would never even fathom. I've been grabbed, yelled at, offered money for sexual favours, and tested on the daily to bite my tongue, or send a sharp comment back. Its not a good place for anyone without street smarts or anyone with thin skin.
 

Your overall outlook seems to be based on very conscious decisions about balance and sacrifice. How do you define "Balance" and "Sacrifice" and what do they mean to you?

Balance seems to be the challenge of a lifetime for us all. I haven't totally found it, but Im working on it.

Balance in context to my lifestyle means finding a means so that I can work as little as possible in the winter and surf as much as possible when the snow has melted. It means living a double life. Partying in the off season and staying home the majority of winter nights so that I can get up at 5am to sled.

Sacrifice means trudging through the shit to get to the light and sitting out on the "good times" and putting "FOMO" to rest so that you can give all of your energy to your cardinal priorities.

In my style of living it means moving up north away from everything I find solitude in, putting my head down and working a job that I don't particularly love to pay for my plane tickets and sled gas. I have given up the clean water, the crisp mountain air, the beauty of the mountains, the serenity of the ocean, my level-headed loving friends back home, the lifestyle that I thrive off of creatively, and my true passions to make money so that I can "live the dream". The dream costs money even if you are eating street food in bali and cooking at home in whistler.

How does snowboarding fit in? Are you chasing a career as a professional snowboarder or just doing your own thing? What about the future … do you have a master plan? Where do you see yourself in the future?

I am hasing a dream to push my snowboarding as far as I can. If it can become my primary income so that I can snowboard all winter without working, travel the world and film with friends, and surf in the off-season all while avoiding the mac, then perfect. I will keep doing it until I am ready to spend the rest of my days on a sandy beach surfing all day long.

My master plan? I agree in rough plans. Every time I seem to "commit" to anything it changes. The rough plan goes a little something like this. Continue snowboarding, have an opportunity to film a full part in the backcountry, carry forward towards a calendar year of snowboarding 5 months, surfing 4 months, and working in fort mac 3 months. When I am ready to step away from snowboarding, I will buy land in indonesia and open a boutique surf and wellness retreat. At my blissful piece of ocean paradise I will teach yoga, cook healthy food in my cafe, have surf babies, and grow old surfing. I will continue to live the dream.
 

Like what you her? Check out Taylor's epic essay Yes, I am a yoga teacher. Yes, I party from a few month back, it's a really good read.

Taylor is supported by Billabong, K2, Electric, The Circle, Skullcandy, and Beaverwax and works at the Podollan Pub in Fort Mac

Photos courtesy of:

Jussi Grznar – Website – Facebook

Cam Hunter – Website – Facebook

Sasha Eillenna – Website – Facebook