Cover Story – IPL Pro Champion Teresa Moss Is Her Own Boss
In this issue of Athlete Entrepreneur Magazine, we explore the dynamic world of Teresa Moss, an extraordinary athlete and inspirational entrepreneur.
From gracing the cover of our inaugural issue to pioneering ventures that blend adrenaline and entrepreneurship, Teresa epitomizes resilience, innovation, and unyielding passion. As we embark on this journey with Teresa, we uncover her multifaceted enterprises, from the adrenaline-fueled escapades of Alaska Mountain Gypsy Tours to her unwavering commitment to fitness coaching and beyond.
Athlete Entrepreneur Magazine Publisher and International Physique League (IPL) President Ben Yosef chats with Teresa to unravel the intricate layers of her journey, from conquering mountains to navigating the challenges of injury and recovery. Through candid conversation, Teresa shares insights into her entrepreneurial endeavors, offering a glimpse into the determination that propels her forward. Join us as we celebrate the indomitable spirit of this athlete and entrepreneur, whose boundless ambition and fearless pursuit of adventure continue to inspire and captivate.
THE OUTDOORS IS HEALING, AND I JUST WANT TO SHARE THAT WITH MY FAVORITE INGREDIENT…ADRENALINE.
BEN YOSEF: OK, here we go! Welcome to Athlete Entrepreneur Magazine! And congratulations on making the cover of the first issue! How are you liking the cover, and what’s your take on Athlete Entrepreneur so far?
TERESA MOSS: Thank you so much, Ben! I love the cover and feel honored and blessed to have been chosen for the very first issue. I love that you have given the athletes a platform to show that there is more to us than just competing. Being an entrepreneur and owning my own businesses is a lot of work and you giving the athletes a way to showcase their hard earned physiques while promoting our businesses is really an incredible thing.
TM: Alaska Mountain Gypsy Tours has been a dream for many years because of my infinite love of all things outdoors. Hiking, back country camping, climbing mountains, paddle boarding glacier waters, ice climbing, snow machining. I have long wanted to give others the experience of doing these things in the safest atmosphere possible in wild Alaska. Alaska Mountain Gypsy Tours is a tour company and is everything adventure in my beautiful state. My heart’s desire is to give people an experience they will never forget and will want to return for years to come.
The outdoors is healing, and I just want to share that with my favorite ingredient…adrenaline. I have an incredible tour I’m offering for summer solstice this year here in Alaska. We will climb half-way up my favorite mountain, Pioneer Peak, and set up camp. At 10pm we will climb the rest of the way up and stand on the top of this amazing mountain at midnight on the longest day of the year. The sun barely goes down before it starts to come back up. Then we will hike down and sleep in our tents. The next day we will go out on the glacier with Outbound Heli for ice climbing, paddle boarding and for those brave enough….a polar plunge. It’s going to be epic.
Alaska’s playground!!! Flying a helicopter to Knik Glacier in Alaska for an epic day of ice climbing. To be able to take others on these trips has been a dream come true.
I DECIDED TO GO OFF TRAIL THROUGH THE WOODS AND HIT A JUMP THAT I WAS NOT PREPARED FOR…WHEN MY KNEE TWISTED IT COMPLETELY RUPTURED MY ACL.
BY: You recently sustained a significant injury, which caused you to pull out of the IPL Arizona Championship scheduled for April. I’m so sorry that you are going through this! How are you feeling today and what can you tell us about what happened?
TM: Yes, that was a very unfortunate accident! And my heart was broken that I had to pull out of that competition as I was really looking forward to hitting those Pro classes. I am an avid outdoor person from hiking, ice climbing, scuba diving, climbing mountains, and downhill skiing. I’ve skied my entire life since high school, and even did ski patrol.
Back in February I went skiing and was having a really great day. I decided to go off trail through the woods and hit a jump that I was not prepared for. The bindings were set too tight on my boots and my skis didn’t come off, so when my knee twisted it completely ruptured my ACL. I went in to the doctor and they confirmed that it was completely torn. I told them I needed to be in for surgery as soon as possible!
At three weeks post-op, I went ice climbing. But I also told myself I would not take anymore unnecessary risks until my knee is completely where it needs to be. I am so thankful that I am in great shape and eat well. I am 13 weeks ahead of schedule for my healing and recovery. A true testament of the benefits of this lifestyle.
BY: Ouch! Were you in a lot of pain? Where you immediately rushed to the hospital? And yes, a true testament to the healthy, active lifestyle!
NO PAIN AT ALL. IT WAS BIZARRE. NO SWELLING, NO PAIN, NO BRUISING. THE DOCTOR WAS EVEN STUMPED WITH THAT.
TM: I felt absolutely no pain. It just felt like my lower leg wasn’t attached. No pain at all. It was bizarre. No swelling, no pain, no bruising. The doctor was even stumped with that. Even after the surgery I had minimal pain.
BY: So happy to hear that you weren’t in pain! I guess it could have been a lot worse! So, this interview is being conducted over the course of months. We just had you and the team at the IPL Arizona Championship last month. It was great seeing you! Although you weren’t competing, you were there coaching. Congratulations to you and the team! And it was cool watching you being presented with your framed Athlete Entrepreneur Magazine cover! That might be one of the first times we’ve gotten a framed cover in an athlete’s hands without the actual interview being completed yet! All good though! What was the Arizona trip like for you? And how are you feeling health and injury-wise today?
I HAVE NO WORDS TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE FOR THIS LEAGUE. YOU HAVE DONE AN INCREDIBLE JOB AND I’VE LOVED EVERY MOMENT I’VE BEEN INVOLVED…
TM: Thank you so much and yes, this interview has taken some time. But I like breaking records, so if this is the longest time it’s ever taken to do an interview, I’ll gladly take it! [laughs]
Arizona was amazing as us Alaskans love that heat! It was so amazing being there with our team. We absolutely love traveling around and competing. I love coaching, but I will admit it was hard for me to be there knowing that I had registered to do that competition and had to drop out due to this injury. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has either been forced to drop out of a competition or decided not to do it and then gotten into the competition and wish they would’ve been able to do it.
Being able to transfer my registration fees has been a true blessing, so I will be hitting the stage in Destin, Florida once again! And I’m coming to take it all! And I’m pushing my clients that I coach on this team to be better than me. I tell them to come after me. I tell them to make me their target and then beat me. And boy are they coming!
More than competing, we love being together, encouraging one another, praying for one another and celebrating one another. It’s an honor to be on a team where you are completely celebrated and not just tolerated. I have no words to express my gratitude for this league. You have done an incredible job and I’ve loved every moment I’ve been involved and look forward to the future with the IPL.
BY: It’s so great to hear that! And it’s been my absolute pleasure having you part of the league over these last few years! So, in addition to Alaska Mountain Gypsy Tours, I know you have quite a few other ventures. Just so everyone can get a feel for the capacity that you’re at, can you give me a list of each venture that you have going right now?
I HAVE A CAKE BUSINESS, MAKING MOSTLY WEDDING CAKES. YEAH, A FITNESS PROFESSIONAL AND CAKE MAKER. JOB SECURITY, I SUPPOSE! [LAUGHS]
TM: My main business since 2012 has been as a Fitness Professional with in-person and online clients. I’ve trained athletes for bodybuilding competitions, mountain bike marathons, Scottish Highland Games, college soccer, basketball, and baseball. I’ve even been a PE teacher for a local homeschooling program. I have a cake business, making mostly wedding cakes. Yeah, a fitness professional and cake maker. Job security, I suppose! [laughs] I run my Poshmark closet selling new and gentle used items. I am coach of Team IPL Coast 2 Coast with my fellow IPL Pro, La’net Spence. I drive a tour van twice a week giving tours of my beautiful state and during the winter I drive a dump truck and operate the loader when needed. In my free time I am hiking mountains, paddle boarding rivers, traveling, scuba diving, spending time with my horses, hunting, fishing and whatever else my little heart desires. And in my free time I love to be with my family! I think that covers it! [laughs]
BY: Wow, T! And I thought I was busy! [laughs] With all that you have going on there are probably several more interviews just waiting to happen! But I really want to get this interview released and out into the world! Those who don’t know, need to know! Again, thank you so much for being a part of the league and for sharing some of your story with us! There’s plenty more going down this year, 2024, so I’m looking forward to all of it! Any final thoughts for Athlete Entrepreneur Magazine?
EMBRACE CHALLENGES AS OPPORTUNITIES TO INNOVATE AND GROW. AND REMEMBER THAT THE JOURNEY IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THE DESTINATION.
TM: Thank you so much for this opportunity and the true honor of being the first cover girl of this amazing magazine. I love the entrepreneurial spirit and I absolutely love fitness! So, to have a magazine that combines both is truly epic! Success in entrepreneurship isn’t just about having a great idea, it’s about perseverance, adaptability, and the relentless pursuit of turning vision into reality. Embrace challenges as opportunities to innovate and grow. And remember that the journey is just as important as the destination. AE
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