Meet the OnwardUP Team
With our current combined experience in the outdoor industry, our OnwardUP team numbers continue to grow! We thought it would be a great time to (re)introduce ourselves to all of you. We are OnwardUP, but who are the faces behind the name?
You all know we forge connections and partnerships that enable elevated outdoor experiences. With focus on character, entrepreneurialism and a high-level of experience, in a variety of outdoor and business environments, our team is able to focus on the fine details of servicing our dealers and creating growth for our vendors. We are a dedicated crew, with compassionate hearts.
…but how cold is too cold? Where did we grow-up? What music makes us rock-out and what makes us laugh the most? What the heck did we do before we joined the OnwardUP team?
Our first interview, in our Meet the OnwardUP Team social series, was an obviously choice. Meet our fearless leader. El presidenté. Rob Owens, the founder of OnwardUP Sales & Marketing. We asked Rob a few questions, to learn more about him. Did you know he doesn’t actually feel the cold? What a legend…
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Any fun nicknames?
Bones
Where do you reside?
I live in Canmore, AB, Born and raised in Saskatoon, SK.”
What is your job title at OnwardUP?
“Founder, President.”
How would you describe your role at OnwardUP?
“The most important part of my job is to nurture leaders, including everyone that works at OU.”
How long have you been a team member?
“Since the mid 70’s…”
Share with us how you got into the outdoor industry?
“Outdoor retail shops (Fishin Hole, Outer Limits, VPO Canmore), connections built as a sponsored climber, skills elevated and a desire to educate built while working as a mountain guide, and life-long gearhead, nature and people lover.”
Do you have a mentor?
“I get my inspiration from so many places. Notably climbing partners, some childhood friends, the many climbing heroes I have been able to meet and call friends, our entire global mountain community, many that I have met through business (sales managers, reps), of course everyone at OnwardUP and most notably Marion and my kids and books.”
What’s the hardest challenge you overcame?
“It boils down to everyday refinement and doing the right thing at the right time. Challenges like becoming a mountain guide or surviving a big storm on a big remote mountain in Alaska are just snippets in the life long quest for being a just, courageous, wise and disciplined person…. and there are no challenges that have come close to being a good parent.”
What’s your ideal work-life balance?
“Loving what you are about to do more days than not. Being available emotionally and physically for my family and friends. Having my people feel supported and empowered. Find time and periods of growth physically and emotionally in the outdoors.”
What can always make you feel better after a bad day?
“A run, fish, or mountain bike ride or talking it out in person.”
What makes you laugh the most?
“Sharing the guilty-as-charged absurdity and resulting beauty of the human condition among friends…. and when the family gets silly.”
How do you like to spend your free time?
“Time is not free…”
What are you most proud of yourself for?
“Being there for my family a lot more than I would have been if I didn’t:
a) hire amazing people and empower them
b) curb my need for big mountain pursuits or long days at the crag.”
What is your biggest irrational fear?
“I think a lot about risk and most of my fear is quite rational.”
What do you feel most passionate about?
“Justice, morals, and style in all we approach.”
Do you live by any words of wisdom?
“The Golden Rule, empathy, self-examination and constant improvement.”
Book / podcast / recommendations?
“Man’s Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl”
One thing you have learnt in the mountains that you wish everyone knew?
“Humility….although I am still working on it.”
How cold is too cold?
“N/A” (we can only assume that with this answer Rob is hard as nails and doesn’t feel the cold…)
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
“Early Bird!”
What type of music are you into?
“Really everything…”
What’s your favorite way to spend a day off?
“Every day is different. Pushing boundaries, seeing new places, showing or experiencing new places with those I love.”
Name a non-profit in your community that is doing amazing work/or that you’re affiliated with?
“Spirit North. Facilitating positive outdoor experiences for those without access to them is so important.”
Upcoming adventure plans, you’d like to share?
“My first bike packing race was in mid-July. The Lost Elephant. There are a lot of unknowns about gear, weather, personal physical and mental capacity. It feels like planning for a big alpine climb but with less life-threatening danger.”
What’s the one item of clothing you couldn’t live without?
“The Patagonia Houdini Jacket”
Name a value you feel you align with, with OnwardUP’s values:
“I created them, so OU’s values are my values….I wanted to be an outdoor educator out of high school. University wasn’t for me so I became a guide and not feel that education and helping provide access to experiencing the outdoors is at the heart of OU and communicated in our mission.”
Do you have a hero? Who?
“My kids. For navigating the challenges of figuring out a complex world, advocating for themselves and their needs, and for their ability to show love.”
What’s keeps you going?
“Finding purpose in all I do. In love, pain, and work.”
Favourite place within walking distance of your house?
“Montane Trail on Lady Mac for biking, running, hiking. So accessible and so many good times alone and with family.”
Activity of choice?
“It will probably always be rock climbing, even though it is the hardest to find time for.”
How did you get into [said activity]?
“I watched Cliff Hanger as a kid in high school, and I guess I was pretty gullible…”
A Highlight from last year?
“A spontaneous afternoon checking out the ice on Lake Louise in November that ended up being a magically few hours for the family under a rising full moon. The little moments added up make for a fulfilling year and life!”
If you weren’t working for OnwadUP, what would you be doing?
“Continuing my career as an ACMG/IFMGA Mountain Guide.”
📸
1: Portrait PC: Leif G.
1: Snowy ridge on the Infinite Spur on Mt Foraker in the Alaska Range, 2001. PC: Eamonn Walsh
2: Lower Bow River PC: Unknown
3: A Storm Creek Headway Mixed climb. PC: Jacob Dans.
5: The family on a frozen Lake Louise, 2023.
#shareinspirelearn #ourteam
