March

The Planning Hunt Fix

There is a small part of me that wishes I could just show up to an extended expedition or event and just do it. Forget the reading, internet searching, extensive phone calls, team collaborating, info gathering, gear reviewing, and training and just touch down in some foreign land and have at it. But besides the fact that Bhutan doesn’t allow foreigners to do this sort of spontaneous traipsing about their country, the bigger part of me fully savors the planning hunt. I am a planner and one of the most curious people I know. So the act of collecting newinformation about all kinds of topics and places that I find fascinating, repeatedly satisfies my inquisitive nature. Thus far and without [...]

Category: Adventure

March

Why Mindful Running?

Mindfulness is being attentive to and aware of the present moment. As westerners we may hear the word ‘mindfulness’ and conjure up images of candles or incense burning by chanting monks in maroon robes. Though mindfulness is the basis for the teaching of meditation in Buddhism it is not solely a religious concept but rather a means to a focused, aware and powerful mind in everything we do. Even the most learned Buddhist teacher will tell you that one need not study the dharma to realize the immense value gained from regular mindfulness practice. Research has shown that training mindfulness can offer a variety of outcomes toward well being on many levels. In fact many practitioners of western psychology use [...]

Category: Events

March

Does Gross National Happiness Thrive in the Face of GDP?

Check out our website at www.expeditionbhutan.com! As I mentioned in my last post, during the reign of the 4th King laws and policy were developed that were consistent with this concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH). King Jigme Singye Wangchuck believed that legitimate public deliberation, discussion and opinion should be used to define any goal and should filter through a democracy based on a GNH Index. This would then support enlightened citizenship. Today the new King Khesar is on board with his father, and GNH in Bhutan lives on. This 5th King of Bhutan, His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck proclaimed at his 2008 coronation that continuing to fulfill the vision of the Gross National Happiness Index will be one of [...]

Category: Adventure

March

The Fourth Dragon King Abdicates His Throne and its Power

During an(other) era of—rule-at-all-cost-even-if-your-people-are-really-pissed-off-at-you—the fourth Dragon King of Bhutan not only abdicated his throne to his eldest son in 2006, but he declared that his country would hold its first democratic elections. During the last of 30 years of ruling his nation under the premise of Gross National Happiness and traditional Buddhist beliefs, Jigme Singye Wangchuck at age 50, gave up his throne while sending every household a new draft constitution. In 2008 he gave up power to offer his people more. Including signifying impeachment options to the people, the Constitution of Bhutan “is based on Buddhist philosophy, international Conventions on Human Rights, comparative analysis of 20 other modern constitutions, public opinion, and existing laws, authorities, and precedents.” Their government [...]

Category: Adventure

February

The Coronation of ‘Gross National Happiness’

In 1972 the new King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck stated to the world that a nations success should not lie in its Gross National Product (GNP) but rather, ‘Gross National Happiness’ (GNH). At 17 years old and well before the west started examining the concept of ‘positive psychology’, this was a bold yet comfortable declaration for the youngest ruler in the world at the time. He recognized that the rich are not always happy and often those who are poor and happy tend to declare themselves quite rich. The King’s statement signaled his commitment to building a modern yet unique culture based on Buddhist values—the ideal of Gross National Happiness reigned. GNH was developed and expanded by Bhutan to [...]

Category: Adventure

February

Trail Bliss to You

I’m super psyched to be supporting a few more trail experiences for you this year and I wanted to share! Trail Races: Dirt Inspires Womens Trail Half Marathon is back on August 28th for its 3rd year running. With so many of you sharing your incredible experiences at this event we decided to expand the trail love a bit and offer another event – Dirt Inspires Womens Trail 4 & 8 Milers on May 22. This shorter event is designed as a lead in to the Half in August and will be staged in the stunning Big Basin State Park. For info on these events and more check out our site www.ditrailruns.com. Get Dirty and Get Inspired! Trail Retreat: For [...]

Category: Events

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About Me

endurance athlete..motivational speaker..writer..coach

Through her extensive international experience in ultra running, triathlon, adventure racing and mountaineering Terri Schneider has established herself as one of the most experienced multi-sport endurance athletes in the world. She has competed in 7 Eco-Challenge Expedition Competitions, the Raid Gauloises in Tibet and Nepal, 22 Ironman Triathlons, with three top five finishes at the Hawaiian Ironman Triathlon World Championships. In addition to hundreds of other endurance events she’s completed 50, and 100 mile running races and 7 day endurance runs in the Sahara desert, Gobi Desert and Costa Rica.