Is Alex Schlopy OK?

MountainInMyMind

MountainInMyMind

Member
In the last couple days, Schlopy posted stuff to his Instagram that seemed pretty revealing of someone going through severe depression. In the last few months, he's changed his Instagram bio to something to the degree of "Enough of the past, on to the future." I know he has lost most of his sponsors (all? if he's not with Head Skis anymore) which would definitely change his life to a degree given that his occupation was "Pro-skier" and now he's been doing some cinematography stuff with his dad's company. I'm not sure if all the sponsor dropping stemmed from those Instagram comments for Gus Kenworthy after Gus came out like a year ago, but it definitely could be due in part to that.

Anyways, has anyone noticed anything similar with Schlopy or have any insight as to what's going on? After reading his Instagram post yesterday, which features sentences like, "The weight is stacking up," and, "Sadness and pain have pretty much found the way to engraving the picture of insufficiency, loss and pain in us." I honestly felt a little worried for him just based on words like that and felt like I should say something just in case. You never know!
 
Im friends with him on FB (i was a pro-hoe) and hes always posting about how hes broke and needs sponsors. Im just surprised nobody is helping get him back on track. Hes healthy and ready to ski I believe but nobody wants him even though hes looking into the olympics.

I just wanna see him land himself in the future at big air one day.
 
Not that it's any of our business, but I have been noticing this trend as well. I think in addition to everything OP said his girlfriend and him separated recently which just alone would suck. I hope ski season comes up fast and he gets back out for a successful and injury-free season, hate to see anybody going through whatever he may be going through. I'd love to see him get back to X and throw some future spins again, I always idolized him when I was younger and even now I still respect how talented he is on the mountain and how hard he works.
 
Already owning a nice car and a house, growing up in Park City in a wealthy family that allowed him to travel the world and ski and party....... yeah I feel so bad for him. I'm thinking Schlopy needs to focus on all the good he's had in life. If he really has depression, hoping he gets the help he needs.
 
13734597:skierman said:
Already owning a nice car and a house, growing up in Park City in a wealthy family that allowed him to travel the world and ski and party....... yeah I feel so bad for him. I'm thinking Schlopy needs to focus on all the good he's had in life. If he really has depression, hoping he gets the help he needs.
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Doesnt matter if his family is currently wealthy, they clearly arent taking a lot of care of him if hes still talking about being broke and such. He was able to afford that stuff from skiing, he had some big sponsors that just shut him out after injuries and what he said about Gus.
 
13734654:Titus69 said:
Doesnt matter if his family is currently wealthy, they clearly arent taking a lot of care of him if hes still talking about being broke and such. He was able to afford that stuff from skiing, he had some big sponsors that just shut him out after injuries and what he said about Gus.
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LOL, yeah sure. You go with that.
 
13734654:Titus69 said:
Doesnt matter if his family is currently wealthy, they clearly arent taking a lot of care of him if hes still talking about being broke and such. He was able to afford that stuff from skiing, he had some big sponsors that just shut him out after injuries and what he said about Gus.
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Implying that a skier could be able to afford an Audi... Do you know how much pro skiers make? Now divide that number by 10.
 
13734654:Titus69 said:
Doesnt matter if his family is currently wealthy, they clearly arent taking a lot of care of him if hes still talking about being broke and such. He was able to afford that stuff from skiing, he had some big sponsors that just shut him out after injuries and what he said about Gus.
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So his family is just supposed to give him money?

I mean I know a lot of parents and families that are really supportive, but even though your kid is one of the best it doesn't mean you're going to fund whatever they want to be funded.
 
13734734:S.J.W said:
Implying that a skier could be able to afford an Audi... Do you know how much pro skiers make? Now divide that number by 10.
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You realize even one sponsor like volkl pays upwards of $45k per athlete for example
 
13734761:Titus69 said:
You realize even one sponsor like volkl pays upwards of $45k per athlete for example
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Not sure where you're getting these numbers, but maybe, MAYBE the top athlete for volkl might get paid in that region, but at least divide that number by 2 or 3 to get a more realistic number for a year.

There isn't that much money in skiing, especially right now. Like SJW said, its much less than you think it is.
 
13734654:Titus69 said:
Doesnt matter if his family is currently wealthy, they clearly arent taking a lot of care of him if hes still talking about being broke and such. He was able to afford that stuff from skiing, he had some big sponsors that just shut him out after injuries and what he said about Gus.
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Also what he said about Gus had zero effect on anything. Being hurt, skiing less, doing less contests is what causes you to lose sponsorship.

Schlopy is working on getting back into skiing and I wouldn't be surprised if you see him more this year than previous year. All the dude wants to do is ski and for many personal reason, which like someone else said is none of your business, he's been skiing less.
 
Really liked him as an athlete back when he was big in the scene. Hope he gets better.
 
13734750:.lencon said:
So his family is just supposed to give him money?

I never said his parents need to fund him, I'm saying that it doesn't matter if they're rich or not (to whoever claimed his family's wealth)

I mean I know a lot of parents and families that are really supportive, but even though your kid is one of the best it doesn't mean you're going to fund whatever they want to be funded.
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13734762:eheath said:
Not sure where you're getting these numbers, but maybe, MAYBE the top athlete for volkl might get paid in that region, but at least divide that number by 2 or 3 to get a more realistic number for a year.

There isn't that much money in skiing, especially right now. Like SJW said, its much less than you think it is.
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Ok, wasn't entirely sure if his comment on Gus coming out effected him, it drew a lot of attention so I assumed t coulda.

My numbers are from my family who work in the industry. And yes it was the top athletes at least of free skiing that make that much. I know you don't make much unless you're a big competitor, which Schlopy has been known for being and he had sponsors that pay big(ish), Oakley, monster etc... Enough for him to be able to afford said car earlier, which of course can result from years of saving as well.

I'm not shitting on Schlopy, I wanna see him back as much as everyone else. I was just saying to the person who claimed his nice Audi came from daddy's account that when you were in schlopys position with big sponsors, you can afford nice stuff. Look at Evan mceachran, he's on head, giro and monster and has a nice fancy Audi.
 
13734585:AlexFogo85 said:
Not that it's any of our business, but I have been noticing this trend as well... hate to see anybody going through whatever he may be going through.
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13734597:skierman said:
If he really has depression, hoping he gets the help he needs.
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This is really what I'm trying to get at, to a point it's none of our business, but I think that when guys start tossing around things like, "The weight is stacking up," we all have an obligation to speak up and say something before it gets any worse, because I would hate to see something happen to him. I don't really care why he's in the spot he's in, frankly I believe that's the part that really is none of our business, I just care that if there's something we can do to get him out of that spot, then as a community we do something.
 
topic:GeorgeWBush said:
comments for Gus Kenworthy after Gus came out like a year ago,

he wanted to take a year off from competing and sponsors didn't like that that's what ive got out of his ig i think he'll make a come back
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Schlopy is better looking than everybody responding to this thread. Need to start with that cause you are all ugly. Me too.

But yeah, minus Wallisch, Bobby Brown and Gus Kenworthy (and a handful of Europeans raking in some govt dough) skiing ain't going to pay the bills. That goes doubly for the women's side.

Schlopy probably ain't hurting for money, but I'm sure his ego is hurting. You can "make a living" skiing, but you can't make a living. Sooner everybody figures that out the sooner they move on.
 
Seams like a few years ago schlopy had so much going for him. (back when he was doing 1980's and such) pretty crazy that he is struggling now.
 
I thought I had read in a thread a while ago that along with injuries he had voluntarily dropped out of the contest/skiing scene because he was bummed with the state of skiing/contest in general. I might just be totally making that up tho...Regardless, I hope he's doing ok and takes us to the future soon.
 
I've always been a big fan of his skiing and attitude and really hope whatever the negative aspects of his life are get turned into positives.
 
Dude's working hard on a comeback. Turns out it's more fun to be a comp skier than a steadycam op.
 
13734654:Titus69 said:
Doesnt matter if his family is currently wealthy, they clearly arent taking a lot of care of him if hes still talking about being broke and such. He was able to afford that stuff from skiing, he had some big sponsors that just shut him out after injuries and what he said about Gus.
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What a bunch of douche bag sponsors .. Alex Schlopy is a boss and is entitled to his opinions about flamet Gus kenworthy who now uses his "gay agenda " to further his career.

Is there anything wrong with this ? Potentially no as people like David Lesh or others use the fact that they get hot women as a marketing point of their "persona" so maybe Gus isn't doing anything bad. But the fact of the mater is that athletes are still human and as a human you have the right to an opinion wether positive or negative. This whole bull shit you have to be politically correct shit is what's wrong with the world.. If you don't like something you should be able to come out and say it with out offending a bunch of butt hurt wusses.
 
13735955:ozzywrong said:
What a bunch of douche bag sponsors .. Alex Schlopy is a boss and is entitled to his opinions about flamet Gus kenworthy who now uses his "gay agenda " to further his career.

Is there anything wrong with this ? Potentially no as people like David Lesh or others use the fact that they get hot women as a marketing point of their "persona" so maybe Gus isn't doing anything bad. But the fact of the mater is that athletes are still human and as a human you have the right to an opinion wether positive or negative. This whole bull shit you have to be politically correct shit is what's wrong with the world.. If you don't like something you should be able to come out and say it with out offending a bunch of butt hurt wusses.
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As I already said in this thread, the things schlopy said about gus had absolutely nothing to do with him losing sponsors

13734765:eheath said:
Also what he said about Gus had zero effect on anything. Being hurt, skiing less, doing less contests is what causes you to lose sponsorship.
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13735965:eheath said:
As I already said in this thread, the things schlopy said about gus had absolutely nothing to do with him losing sponsors
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Yeah but dude it really does suck his sponsors dropped him cause he said mean things about Gus. I know this because someone on NS already posted about it.
 
That post was a red flag for sure. If one of my friends posted something like that, I'd go over to his house immediately and make sure there are no vicodins / benzos / loaded guns and make sure the car was parked outside the garage.
 
Honestly no, I'm not that great.

First, to those people saying I am/was rich growing up- sorry, that proves they don't know shit. I used family friends airline miles (thank you!) and asked strangers to sleep at their houses, usually ending up in a guest bedroom or boiler room on the floor(thank you again!!)... but I'd ski my ass off and frankly usually win. By 15 I had achieved 100% financial independence. When I finally took a finance class I made investments, bought cars did well with stocks etc. but that shit isn't what I care about.

I would fucking bomb my Audi and flood my apartment to be able to ski again. I've never been more determined or in better physical shape but I can't afford to eat, mainly because- yes... I refuse to get a job. I am not done yet.

I've fought with depression etc. for years... skiing lifts that away, and I have had my bouts and close calls but I will never let depression win me. I'm not crying about money or other shit- I've been in two accidents resulting in TBI where now my brain just doesn't develop certain chemicals and disperse them properly... however I've been to a lot of healers and most of the symptoms are dissipating.

I just want to ski, as of right now I can't afford it. Also, I lied about flooding my condo because it's the best investment I have right now alongside my Dad and I's film company... so I need to keep that... haha

I'm going to keep fighting to get back in the scene because I am not done. Love you all, peace and happy shredding!!!
 
13736907:schlopy said:
I've fought with depression etc. for years... skiing lifts that away, and I have had my bouts and close calls but I will never let depression win me. I'm not crying about money or other shit- I've been in two accidents resulting in TBI where now my brain just doesn't develop certain chemicals and disperse them properly... however I've been to a lot of healers and most of the symptoms are dissipating.
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Seriously careful with that. It may be time to get into the pow and leave the park behind. There's a lot of people around here that would hate to see something bad happen because of further TBI's. Either way, have fun out there. That's all that matters.
 
13736907:schlopy said:
I've been in two accidents resulting in TBI where now my brain just doesn't develop certain chemicals and disperse them properly.
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Currently 2 years post-TBI, I've tried every medication the docs will give me, and nothing's changed. You just feel like SHIT every single day and your emotions/thoughts are different because the neurotransmitters in your brain aren't dosing or receiving chemicals correctly. Brain injuries are one of the biggest issues facing skiers today.
 
13736907:schlopy said:
but I can't afford to eat, mainly because- yes... I refuse to get a job.
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Not even a summer job doing landscaping or construction? Don't the majority of sponsored skiers out there still bust their asses during the summer months so they can afford to ski?
 
13736917:GeorgeWBush said:
Currently 2 years post-TBI, I've tried every medication the docs will give me, and nothing's changed. You just feel like SHIT every single day and your emotions/thoughts are different because the neurotransmitters in your brain aren't dosing or receiving chemicals correctly. Brain injuries are one of the biggest issues facing skiers today.
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I've had since I was 15... I've found a lot of things that help and I've fought the PCCD for years and now I feel a lot more clarity and finally like I can be the best I can be... definitely tough man and I really hope not many, preferably nobody has to deal with this in their life.
 
13736923:Skibumsmith said:
Not even a summer job doing landscaping or construction? Don't the majority of sponsored skiers out there still bust their asses during the summer months so they can afford to ski?
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I've worked landscaping, even while I was on salary high enough it was completely unnecessary (at the time, being honest) and other various low paying high workload jobs... the work ethic is the best thing to come of any of these jobs... Mistreatment of employees and other things led me to quit and respect these industries more than I had before when I wasn't well informed or educated
 
13736997:schlopy said:
I've worked landscaping, even while I was on salary high enough it was completely unnecessary (at the time, being honest) and other various low paying high workload jobs... the work ethic is the best thing to come of any of these jobs... Mistreatment of employees and other things led me to quit and respect these industries more than I had before when I wasn't well informed or educated
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Do what you love and if you put in the work, which from what I can tell you most certainly are, and you'll get everything out of it you need. I hope you get back into a solid groove and throw down some future spins (that was always my favorite part of X-games when I was younger) and after hopefully some sponsors pick you up. I've had several concussions including a really bad one last spring so I know where you're coming from, just know there is an endless number of resources at your disposal, maybe not medicine, or a cure, but there's always some support. The community has definitely got your back so I think I can speak for all of us when I say that we hope you have one of the best seasons ever this year. Mad respect for you, shred hard
 
13736941:schlopy said:
I've had since I was 15... I've found a lot of things that help and I've fought the PCCD for years and now I feel a lot more clarity and finally like I can be the best I can be... definitely tough man and I really hope not many, preferably nobody has to deal with this in their life.
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I think Even if I killed you so hard you were reincarnated into an abortion, you'd still be just chillin. Idk. Just my two cents though.
 
What I write below is what I've encountered in my own experience.

We each develop a perception of ourselves. When we no longer fit the mold of who we were, we can either chase down the ghost of our past in hopes of rediscovering our former glory or roll with the tides of onward progression, even if that means re-shaping our self-perception. Chasing our past is a form of resistance, which will eventually result in depression. Changing with the momentum of our own life, although hard, is a means of progressing ourselves further and rediscovering happiness.
 
13737515:BloomOuterwear said:
What I write below is what I've encountered in my own experience.

We each develop a perception of ourselves. When we no longer fit the mold of who we were, we can either chase down the ghost of our past in hopes of rediscovering our former glory or roll with the tides of onward progression, even if that means re-shaping our self-perception. Chasing our past is a form of resistance, which will eventually result in depression. Changing with the momentum of our own life, although hard, is a means of progressing ourselves further and rediscovering happiness.
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Wow.

Pass the dutchie on the left hand side.
 
13737515:BloomOuterwear said:
What I write below is what I've encountered in my own experience.

We each develop a perception of ourselves. When we no longer fit the mold of who we were, we can either chase down the ghost of our past in hopes of rediscovering our former glory or roll with the tides of onward progression, even if that means re-shaping our self-perception. Chasing our past is a form of resistance, which will eventually result in depression. Changing with the momentum of our own life, although hard, is a means of progressing ourselves further and rediscovering happiness.
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sound advice

a rare thing to find on ns
 
13736917:GeorgeWBush said:
Currently 2 years post-TBI, I've tried every medication the docs will give me, and nothing's changed. You just feel like SHIT every single day and your emotions/thoughts are different because the neurotransmitters in your brain aren't dosing or receiving chemicals correctly. Brain injuries are one of the biggest issues facing skiers today.
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That sucks man, hope you find something that works!
 
13737515:BloomOuterwear said:
What I write below is what I've encountered in my own experience.

We each develop a perception of ourselves. When we no longer fit the mold of who we were, we can either chase down the ghost of our past in hopes of rediscovering our former glory or roll with the tides of onward progression, even if that means re-shaping our self-perception. Chasing our past is a form of resistance, which will eventually result in depression. Changing with the momentum of our own life, although hard, is a means of progressing ourselves further and rediscovering happiness.
Click to expand...

I agree with this... as I have made steps and built out a solid resume for a future career, however I do not feel like I am done skiing yet, I always listen to my gut and that's what I feel. I'm just stoked to give it 100 and see what happens, if I don't then I will look back and regret it for the rest of my life.
 
13737575:schlopy said:
I agree with this... as I have made steps and built out a solid resume for a future career, however I do not feel like I am done skiing yet, I always listen to my gut and that's what I feel. I'm just stoked to give it 100 and see what happens, if I don't then I will look back and regret it for the rest of my life.
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Have you ever thought about getting heavily into filming instead of going directly back into the competition scene? It'd be pretty dope to see some more edits from you in the upcoming season.
 
13737575:schlopy said:
I agree with this... as I have made steps and built out a solid resume for a future career, however I do not feel like I am done skiing yet, I always listen to my gut and that's what I feel. I'm just stoked to give it 100 and see what happens, if I don't then I will look back and regret it for the rest of my life.
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just take care of that noggin man, head injuries are so damn scary
 
13737636:cory.iyoob said:
Have you ever thought about getting heavily into filming instead of going directly back into the competition scene? It'd be pretty dope to see some more edits from you in the upcoming season.
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If it was me, I guess once you're done with comps you're done with comps forever but filming will always be there. May as well squeeze the 2-5 years of remaining comp skiing dry. It'd also probably be the best way to re-elevate the profile so you could then keep sponsors when you switched to a filming focus (which doesn't always work, even for tanner or Jacob wester).
 
13737575:schlopy said:
I agree with this... as I have made steps and built out a solid resume for a future career, however I do not feel like I am done skiing yet, I always listen to my gut and that's what I feel. I'm just stoked to give it 100 and see what happens, if I don't then I will look back and regret it for the rest of my life.
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Glad to hear you're not done with skiing!!!! You've kinda got that solid forceful style only few are capable of, ( Abma, Bushy) with a bit of whallisch afterbang. Hopefully you land on your feet. Would love to see more backcountry footage.
 
13737515:BloomOuterwear said:
What I write below is what I've encountered in my own experience.

We each develop a perception of ourselves. When we no longer fit the mold of who we were, we can either chase down the ghost of our past in hopes of rediscovering our former glory or roll with the tides of onward progression, even if that means re-shaping our self-perception. Chasing our past is a form of resistance, which will eventually result in depression. Changing with the momentum of our own life, although hard, is a means of progressing ourselves further and rediscovering happiness.
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This resonates so hard with me right now. Stuck in the resistance. Appreciate this and Schlopy sharing where he's at, it's the kind of connection/insight I'm glad this community exists for.
 
13737515:BloomOuterwear said:
What I write below is what I've encountered in my own experience.

We each develop a perception of ourselves. When we no longer fit the mold of who we were, we can either chase down the ghost of our past in hopes of rediscovering our former glory or roll with the tides of onward progression, even if that means re-shaping our self-perception. Chasing our past is a form of resistance, which will eventually result in depression. Changing with the momentum of our own life, although hard, is a means of progressing ourselves further and rediscovering happiness.
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Wow, truly powerful words. Living in the past, or consuming oneself with the future will definitely lead to unhealthy depressed or anxious behavior that isn't productive or successful for anyone. I feel for anyone going through personal battles, and I most of all hope that no one has to go through a loss of life from struggling with depression. I have lost two friends to suicide and I wouldn't wish that pain on any living being.

Wish you, and all the best.
 
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