ABOUT US
We unite and empower people affected by neurological challenges
through a common passion for the outdoors.
HOW WE DO IT
OM Community
An outdoor-focused community for people affected by neurological challenges. The OM Community is available for anyone that shares our passion for the outdoors and has been affected by a neurological challenge.
OM Meetup Groups
Regional meetup groups strengthen connections and empower people in the OM Community to get outside with others in their local area.
OM Scholarship
This scholarship encourages people in the OM Community to live big through a funded adventure of their choice.
WHY WE DO IT
Our Story
In 2010, a team came together inspired by a mutual friend’s determination to make something great come from a recent diagnosis of a brain tumor. Everyone shared a link to a neurological challenge (brain tumors, aneurysms, epilepsy, etc.). Their experiences ranged from personal diagnosis to supporting diagnosed family members and friends. The group also shared a passion for the outdoors, an unyielding enthusiasm for life, and a drive to overcome the hardship of a neurological challenge while focusing on quality of life. These commonalities inspired the idea of Outdoor Mindset (OM). Now, the ongoing connections and great experiences fostered by OM continue the story.
We All Know Someone Who Has Faced a Neurological Challenge
Each year in the United States:
Over 100,000 people are diagnosed with a primary or metastatic brain tumor
181,000 people are diagnosed with epilepsy
10,400 people are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS)
50,000 people are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease
1.7 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury
Social Connections Positively Influence Health
Information is helpful; however, according to researchers and healthcare providers, personally connecting with others has a significant positive impact on patient health.
Getting Outdoors & Being Active Helps
Exposure to the natural environment of the outdoors directly correlates to improved neuropsychological function and behavioral attitudes toward managing challenges in diagnosis. Research has shown physical activity to be a significant factor in improving quality of life indicators among diagnosed individuals.
Our values are community, empowerment, humor, and integrity.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Kyle Martin
Founder, President
After growing up in Texas and earning a business degree from Texas Tech, Kyle made the journey to Colorado. He now splits time between Maui and Utah. He’s worked in Human Resources and Technology for various industries including Travel & Leisure, Cloud Software, and Environmental Engineering. Kyle has a passion for the outdoors and on most days can be found on his surfboard, bike, or snowboard. Diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2009; he knows firsthand the positive power of the outdoors and community on quality of life.
Jake Quigley
Vice-President
Jake has been involved with Outdoor Mindset from the get go. His direct connection to a neurological diagnosis drives his passion to help OM inspire and positively impact its members. Jake's professional background in non profit management, the outdoor industry, and experiential learning provide him a diversely unique perspective to offer. When he is not working, Jake can be found adventuring outside somewhere with his wife Jeanie by foot, bike, or ski.
Lisa Avram
Lisa made the move to Denver, Colorado from Ohio after graduating from The Ohio State University with a degree in Special Education. Diagnosed with epilepsy after receiving a Traumatic Brain Injury in college, she became involved with Outdoor Mindset almost 10 years ago! When she’s not teaching or participating on her district’s Brain Injury Resource team, she’s finding outdoor adventures with her family, friends and best dog ever, Boxcar. Lisa has summited Kilimanjaro, trekked around Myanmar and loves to explore new places in Colorado and beyond.
Eric Distad
Growing up, Eric split his time between Minnesota and his grandparents’ house in Montana, just south of Glacier National Park. He was exposed to the mountain lifestyle at an early age, and despite being focused on hockey for most of his childhood and college, he always knew he would end up in the mountains. Eric eventually made the move to Breckenridge, Colorado where he lived for nearly 15 years. Now, he and his wife call Durango, Colorado home. Professionally, Eric has focused his career on researching CNS diseases, primarily movement disorders. He is currently the Vice President of Clinical Development at a start-up company researching a new therapy for epilepsy. Eric’s main outdoor passion is ski-mountaineering, having skied the likes of Elbrus, Grand Teton, Rainier, and an attempt at Aconcagua. When not skiing, you will find him rock/ice climbing, trail running, or mountain biking.
ADVISORY BOARD
Jeanie Ringelberg Quigley
Jeanie has volunteered and worked in the nonprofit sector ever since she could walk. On her way to becoming a doctor, Jeanie is getting in all the mountain biking, hiking and sleep she can before starting medical school. She loves volunteering for Outdoor Mindset because of the cool people (of course) and because of her belief in the power of connections and the outdoors.
Wes Enicks
Wes grew up in the Boston area where at a young age he developed a passion for the outdoors by hiking, camping, and skiing throughout New England. After graduating from college, Wes moved to Breckenridge, Colorado to fulfill his craving for powder and backcountry skiing. After three years in Breckenridge, Wes moved to Philadelphia before returning to Boston where he currently serves as Executive Director for a youth literacy nonprofit, Literations. His belief in the power of mentoring, continued love of the outdoors, and a friend’s diagnosis with a neurological disorder drew Wes to the mission of #outdoormindset.