Jesse Millen: Heeding The Call
We caught up with Whistler-based snowboarder Jesse Millen to talk about what gets him going and how he’s turned a passion into a full blow career. Explore more behind the lens and get inspired!
Words by Jesse Millen / Images by Brian Caissie, Luke McDowall, Shannon Mahre, John Entwhistle, Josh Dooley and Bruce Johnston
My name is Jesse Millen and I am a professional snowboarder living in the Canadian mountain town of Whistler, BC. Living outdoors is an anthem I’ve been apart of my entire life and I am glad to be involved with a company who stands by that.
Creating memories through adventure has been my goal this year, involved in various film projects such as Whistler Blackcomb’s “Magnetic Movie” and Transworld Snowboarding series “Out of Service” has been fueling this passion. I had no idea I was going to be apart of either project which has made 2017 such a memorable year already.
Finding comfort in the mountains can be soaring through air, exploring that new zone with friends, ripping the corduroy, enjoying the view or anything that gets the thrill going for you. I feel like I have the freedom to produce any type of content based around an adventure with ZEAL. That’s what it’s all about.
Just get out there! That’s something I had to tell myself more and more, be involved with your community and give back. I’ve come to learn that a lot of opportunity could be right in front of you. Connect and share. Don’t hate, motivate!
Background – where’d you grow up, inspirations in life, on the mountains, career highlights, etc.
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I grew up in northern Ontario in a place called Timmins, where I rode my local ski hill Kamiskotia and any downslope with a feature I could find. Living in Ontario was my inspiration to head west for real mountains, I knew early into snowboarding that I had to ride something bigger and try out this whole “powder” thing!
I would like to think that where I am in snowboarding now is a big part of being a career highlight with filming full time for the Whistler Blackcomb “Magnetic” movie and Transworld Snowboarding series “Out of Service”. When I was competing a little bit, I won Showcase Showdown and then proceeded to make finals in every competition I entered. Also, winning a King of The Rail contest here by chucking a backside rodeo onto a box. I filmed for various projects with Voleurz, Sherpas Cinema and other local filmers for video related contests.
What are you into other than snowboarding?
Other than snowboarding, I quite enjoy being active in my back yard hiking mountains, rock climbing, downhill mountain biking and skateboarding. Whistler can cater to pretty much any time of extreme activity, love it!
What motivates you?
I’m motivated by creating memories with friends, going to that new area or mountain we’ve never been to, testing our limits and keeping the good times rolling by genuinely busting a gut laughing. The better the vibes, the better your ride, truth!
How’d you get into snowboarding and what is it that continues to get you excited?
I got into snowboarding after friends continuously told me to try it. They all knew I skateboarded from a young age and thought I would pick it up quick. Well, I sure got addicted to it in the best way, that’s for sure! What keeps me really excited to ride is finding a new feature to hit in a different way than someone has before or looking at aspects differently and making me think: how the hell is he going to hit that?
What are a few things that most people don’t know about you?
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A lot of people don’t know that I’m First Nations, I understand that I don’t quite look aboriginal but it’s true, I am! Otherwise I’m pretty open so I don’t keep too many secrets! Oh, I actually do wish to one day be a baja truck rally driver, there’s that!
What’s next for you as far as trips, goals, etc.?
Next up on the goal list is compete in a few local contests like the DC hit and run, Showcase Showdown, anything involving World Ski and Snowboard festival and Holy Bowl-eh! Besides that, I am working on a couple of side projects which might be involved with the WB movie but if I told you about it I would have to kill you. _ _
Two sentence description of your approach to life:
My approach to life: Take it day by day. Don’t let negativity get to you and just do what makes you happy._ _
Why are you down with ZEAL?
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I’m down with Zeal because of the environmental stand point, the stoke put out about exploring(that actually gets me right in the feels, almost a life motto) and the good vibes I get from a team that is so far from me but show so much love. You guys are the raddest, got your back like a napsack!!!
What are your favorite sunglasses and why?
My personal choice in shades are the El Dorados! The fit is the best for my face and the optics are crystal clear, quality for vision at its finest!
Follow Jesse’s adventures on Instagram @jesse_millen!
