Ruby Rosh: Racing Through Adversity and Finding Joy in the Journey
Books that changed my thinking, behaviors, and life
Hello,
Let’s kick off 2025 with a celebration of courage, perseverance, and growth.
This week’s Three Book Thursday comes from a special guest author—someone who embodies these qualities every single day. She’s an 11th grader at Rowland Hall High School in Salt Lake City, Utah, and one of the top teen alpine ski racers in the country.
Please welcome Ruby Rosh.
The alarm blares, and for a moment, I question everything.
It’s 4:30 a.m., pitch black outside, and the house is cold. My bed feels impossibly warm and inviting, and the idea of dragging myself out to face the icy morning seems absurd. But then I remember, the mountain is waiting for me. This is ski racing: a sport of paradoxes, where beauty and brutality coexist, and every moment is earned through hard work and discipline.
By 6 a.m., I’m alone in my car, navigating the winding canyon roads toward Utah Olympic Park in Park City, UT. The headlights barely pierce the darkness as frost forms on the windows, and the only sound is the hum of the engine. Saturdays are supposed to be for sleeping in, for lazy mornings and warm breakfasts—but for ski racers, they’re a test of commitment. The drive feels endless, but then I crest the final hill, and there it is: the mountain, towering above me, quiet and waiting.
The first runs are always the hardest. My fingers ache from the cold as I tighten my boots, and the bitter air bites at my face. The snow beneath me is untouched, groomed into perfect corduroy, and my freshly tuned skis carve through it with precision. Each turn feels sharp, deliberate, and alive. The rhythmic crack of slalom gates hitting my shin guards and poles becomes a kind of music, punctuating the silence of the early morning. And then, the sun rises. Its light spills over the peaks, painting the mountain in shades of gold and pink, a moment so breathtaking it feels like a reward for all the effort it took to get here.
These mornings are more than just training; they’re a classroom. They’ve taught me to embrace discomfort, to push through the hard things I don’t want to do, and to find joy in the process. Ski racing isn’t just a sport—it’s a teacher.
Off the slopes, skiing has shaped how I approach life’s challenges. This past semester, I’ve missed 20 days of school already, and the race season has barely begun. Absences don’t mean a break from work; if anything, they add to it. I’ve had to learn how to teach myself material, stay on top of deadlines, and perform on exams, often without the benefit of being in class. It’s a juggling act that demands discipline. When I get home from training—tired, cold, and sore—I dive straight into my homework, not because I want to, but because I’ve built the habit. That discipline has become a part of who I am, carrying me through even when motivation wanes.
Perhaps the most profound lesson skiing has taught me is gratitude.
Two shoulder injuries—each requiring surgery (thank you Dr. Burks and Dr. Bravman) and months of recovery and physical therapy (thank you Eric Glad)—forced me to confront what it means to lose something you love.
During those long months, I missed even the grueling parts of training: the hill sprints that left my legs burning, the submax workouts that drained every ounce of energy. I would have given anything just to feel that kind of exhaustion again. Now, on the hardest days, when I’m tempted to complain about the workouts or the early mornings, I remember how it felt to wish for the chance to train, to move, to improve. That perspective has changed everything.
Ski racing is about more than crossing the finish line. It’s about resilience, about finding beauty in struggle, and about appreciating the small, hard-won victories along the way. These lessons extend far beyond the mountain; they shape how I approach every aspect of life.
And just as skiing has taught me these lessons, so have books. Stories have a way of distilling life’s chaos into something meaningful, offering lessons and perspectives that stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page. Today, I’m excited to share a few of my favorite books—ones that have inspired me, challenged me, and taught me lessons as enduring as those I’ve learned from the slopes.
Welcome to this week’s Three Book Thursday.
1. Memoir
Rise: My Story
Summary
Rise: My Story by Lindsey Vonn is a very special book to me. For anyone who’s faced setbacks, Vonn’s journey offers a deeply personal blueprint for not just surviving but finding a way to thrive.
For me, Vonn has always been more than a skiing legend—she’s been a role model and a mentor. In so many ways, our paths feel connected. Like me, she started her skiing journey under the legendary coach Erich Sailer. At just seven years old, we both attended his summer camps on Mt. Hood, where we learned not only the fundamentals of skiing but also what it means to love the sport. Lindsey went on to train at Buck Hill in Minnesota before joining the Vail Ski School in Colorado. I began with Pinnacle Racing in Michigan before making the leap to Utah to train with the Rowmark Ski Academy. And just like Lindsey, I’ve been lucky enough to train with Sarah Schleper, a former U.S. Ski Team member and Olympian. Her coaching shaped both of our early careers and helped us grow into the racers we are today. I even race in Vonn’s race suits, which is such a cool and tangible connection to someone I admire so deeply.
But admiration for Vonn goes far beyond the surface—it’s rooted in shared experiences. Like Vonn, my journey has been a mix of triumphs and trials. In 2022, I was the favorite to win the Western Regional Championships when, the night before the race, I dislocated my shoulder. Unable to compete, I had to undergo surgery to repair my labrum, followed by months of grueling rehab. It was brutal, but I came back stronger, winning nearly every race I entered the next season.
Until tragedy struck again.
My comeback was cut short when I reinjured the same shoulder. This time, I needed a complex reconstructive surgery with a bone graft. The recovery was harder, the road back even steeper. Just as Vonn’s story shows, resilience isn’t something you master once—it’s a muscle you build, over and over again, through every setback.
And I rose again.
This past season, I competed at nationals and finished as one of the top-ranked ski racers in the nation. Through every setback, I’ve looked to Vonn’s example as proof that setbacks don’t define you—it’s how you respond to them that does.
In Rise, Vonn shares her story with unflinching honesty. Her journey from Buck Hill to dominating the World Cup and winning Olympic gold isn’t just about skiing—it’s about grit, sacrifice, and believing in yourself even when the odds are stacked against you. It’s about what it takes to rise, again and again, in the face of challenges.
This book isn’t just about the life of an elite athlete; it’s about resilience, identity, and the power of role models. Vonn’s legacy has had a huge impact on me, reminding me that greatness isn’t just about podium finishes—it’s about the courage to rise after every fall. And what’s even more incredible? Vonn is back at it, competing on the World Cup circuit and placing 14th in her first race back. If that’s not the ultimate example of resilience, I don’t know what is!
For anyone out there trying to overcome adversity, Vonn’s story offers universal lessons. It challenges us to embrace the hard days, find joy in the process, and see every setback as an opportunity to grow stronger. For me, and for so many others, it’s a reminder that the climb is always worth it.
Oh, and my edition of Rise? It’s signed by Lindsey Vonn herself—a small but powerful reminder of the connection I feel to her journey.
Favorite Quote, Insight, & Principle
Quote: “Success is fleeting, but the effort you put in is forever yours.”
Quote: “You’re never truly alone when you believe in yourself.”
Insight: Pain is inevitable, but how you respond to it is your choice.
Principle: You don’t wait for confidence; you build it through action.
Author: Lindsay Vonn
Themes: Memoir, Memoir, Sports, Ski racing, Peak performance
2. Biography
Brave Enough
Summary
I first discovered Cheryl Strayed through the movie Wild, and it blew me away. Her story was raw, honest, and powerful, and when I found out she had written Brave Enough, I didn’t hesitate to pick it up. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but this book ended up being exactly what I needed. It’s not like a typical novel; it’s a collection of short paragraphs, phrases, and sentences, each packed with so much wisdom that I found myself pausing to take it all in. Some of it hit so hard it brought tears to my eyes.
As a junior in high school, life can feel overwhelming. Even as one of the top skiers for my age in the country, I struggle with self-doubt before every race. My stomach churns, and I catch myself wondering if I’m good enough to compete at this level. Add the typical challenges of being a teenager—friend drama, school stress, and figuring out who I am—and some days feel impossible. That’s where Brave Enough came in.
Cheryl Strayed doesn’t sugarcoat anything. She dives into the messiness of life—love, loss, courage, and forgiveness—with a bluntness that feels almost like she’s calling you out. But instead of feeling judged, I felt seen. Her words don’t just inspire you to be brave; they make you stop and reflect on your own life. For me, that meant asking hard questions: Why do I let fear control me? What am I holding onto that I know I need to let go of? Am I brave enough to take risks, even if it means failing?
One of her quotes that stuck with me was, “You don’t have a right to the cards you believe you should have been dealt. You have an obligation to play the hell out of the ones you’re holding.” For someone like me, who sometimes feels like I’m constantly racing against expectations—my own and everyone else’s—that quote was a game-changer. It reminded me to focus on what I can control and stop comparing myself to others.
Strayed’s words reminded me that bravery doesn’t mean being fearless. It means showing up, even when you’re terrified. As a skier, I’ve learned that growth comes from putting myself out there, whether it’s on the racecourse or in everyday life. Her wisdom reinforced what I’ve been trying to teach myself: that it’s okay to feel scared or vulnerable, as long as I don’t let those feelings hold me back.
And if you haven’t seen Wild, I’d recommend watching it before diving into Brave Enough. It gave me an even deeper appreciation for Strayed’s journey and made her words resonate on a whole new level.
Favorite Quote, Insight, & Principle
Quote: “The best thing you can possibly do with your life is to tackle the motherf**ing sht out of it.”
Insight: You don’t have a right to the cards you believe you should have been dealt. You have an obligation to play the hell out of the ones you’re holding.
Principle: Hello, fear. Thank you for being here. You're my indication that I'm doing what I need to do.
Author: Cheryl Strayed
Themes: Personal development, Living a full life, Health and wellness
3. Health and wellness
The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness
Summary
Being born in 2008 means growing up in the shadow of the iPhone and the explosion of social media. By the time I hit middle school, TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat weren’t just apps—they were lifelines for my peers. But here’s the paradox: choosing not to use them didn’t mean I escaped their influence. Instead, it made me feel even more isolated. Social media is often blamed for making people feel disconnected, but the truth is, not being on it when everyone else is creates its own kind of loneliness.
At the time, I didn’t fully understand this dynamic. My parents always warned me about the downsides of social media and excessive phone use, but I brushed it off, thinking it didn’t really apply to me. It wasn’t until high school that I finally connected the dots: the more time I spent on my phone—whether scrolling through apps, texting, or just mindlessly browsing—the worse I felt. My mood dipped, and I couldn’t shake a constant undercurrent of negativity.
That realization hit hard. My dad, seeing my struggle, handed me a copy of Atomic Habits by James Clear and encouraged me to rethink my phone habits. He told me about the “habit loop” and suggested I substitute social media with something more rewarding. So, every time I felt the urge to pick up my phone, I’d reach for a book instead. The results were eye-opening. Not only did I feel better emotionally, but I discovered a new love for reading. Books became my escape from the constant noise of the online world, opening up a sense of curiosity I hadn’t felt in a long time.
But I’m not going to lie—it’s still a struggle. Social media has a way of pulling you back in, and I find myself constantly having to push against it. That’s what made Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation such an impactful read. It wasn’t just a validation of my experience; it was a blueprint for understanding the pressures my generation faces and why so many of us feel the way we do.
This book helped me understand why I often feel anxious and how the pressures my generation faces aren’t just personal—they’re systemic. It’s not a cure, but it’s a starting point, a way to see these challenges for what they are and to begin finding solutions.
For me, reading The Anxious Generation reaffirmed what I’ve been learning through my own struggles. Yes, it’s hard to pull away from social media and the constant buzz of my phone, but I’ve also seen how rewarding it is to replace that time with something more meaningful, like books. It’s a constant battle, but it’s one I’m willing to keep fighting.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the pressures of today’s world—whether as a teen like me or as someone trying to navigate this environment with your kids—Haidt’s book is a must-read. It’s not just about understanding the problem; it’s about equipping ourselves with the tools to thrive.
Favorite Quotes, Insights, & Principles
Quote: “Social media amplifies insecurities, creating a digital hall of mirrors.”
Insight: A generation raised to avoid risk is now overwhelmed by uncertainty.
Principle: Overprotection may feel like love, but it teaches fear.
Author: Jonathan Haidt
Themes: Health and wellness
Bravery isn’t about the absence of fear—it’s about pushing through it. Resilience isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you build. And growth doesn’t happen when things are easy—it happens when you choose to tackle the hard things anyway. These lessons thread through every story and reflection in this week’s post, tying together ski racing, personal setbacks, and the wisdom found in books like Rise, Brave Enough, and The Anxious Generation.
In ski racing, the reward comes after the grind: waking up at 4:30 a.m., braving the cold, and carving through untouched snow. It’s not glamorous, but it’s a reminder that discipline and discomfort are the price of achievement. The same is true in life. Whether it’s recovering from a shoulder injury, finding your footing in high school, or resisting the pull of social media, the lesson is clear: the hard moments are what shape us.
Cheryl Strayed’s words in Brave Enough capture this perfectly: “You don’t have a right to the cards you believe you should have been dealt. You have an obligation to play the hell out of the ones you’re holding.” That’s a lesson I’ve learned both on and off the slopes. You can’t control everything that happens to you, but you can control how you respond. Whether it’s a race you didn’t win or a shoulder injury that took you out for a season, the choice to keep going is what defines you.
Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation helped me see another side of resilience. Growing up in the age of iPhones and TikTok means navigating a constant flood of information and comparison. Even when you choose not to participate, like I did by avoiding social media in middle school, the pressure doesn’t disappear—it just changes form. Haidt’s insights helped me understand that these challenges aren’t just personal; they’re systemic. But like ski racing, the key isn’t avoiding the hard things—it’s learning how to navigate them.
What ties these lessons together is the power of perspective. Whether it’s Lindsey Vonn climbing back from injury, Cheryl Strayed teaching us to embrace the messy parts of life, or Jonathan Haidt offering tools to fight the pressures of modern life, the message is the same: the mountain is always waiting. It’s steep, it’s cold, and it’s intimidating. But the climb is what makes the view worth it.
So, what’s your mountain? Maybe it’s stepping out of your comfort zone, letting go of comparisons, or facing a fear that’s been holding you back. Whatever it is, I hope this week’s post inspires you to start climbing. Because the sun rising over that peak—the moment you realize you’ve done something you weren’t sure you could—is a reward that no one can take away.
Inspiring
Beautiful writing I wanted to continue reading more!