GTO Board and Snow Skiing
A customer experience story of Steve W. (a retired executive/owner) and the GTO Balance Board.
Life Takes Balance staff interviewed Steve W. - February 2025
Introduction
Steve: “Hey there.”
Staff: Hey Steve!
Steve: “How are ya?”
Staff: I’m doing good. I’m here in the cold weather. What about you?
Steve: “I’m in the cold too, yet I’m in the cold where you can play in the snow.” I’m in Utah about to get in my truck after skiing this morning. Can we talk in about two hours? How about 3 pm, your time, you call me.”
Staff: Sure, sound great! Call you back in two hours. Talk then.
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Staff: Hi Steve, we are back talking two hours later, and I’m going to start by saying how glad I am to hear you being active. We even have our government focusing now on how we can improve our health, so I’m excited to hear about your downhill snow skiing activities. What do you think?
Steve: “It is good to hear about our health and how we can improve it because it has been a long time since it seems we were even able to talk about it. Now there is more open discussion.”
What is your overall perception when you first received and tried the Life Takes Balance GTO Board?
Steve: The GTO Board helps your follow-through with what you, the instructor, said to do with the balance board. It does the things you say it does – it helps you with awareness of your balance.
Where do you practice on the GTO Board?
Steve: In my home I found a place where my hands can hold onto a bar – and, because I’m tall, I can’t find a chair that is high enough for proper support, so this works well for me.
Do you feel safe on the GTO Board?
Steve: Oh yeah! It’s really only an inch or two off the ground, so it’s safe.
How has your balance improved since you started using the GTO Board?
Steve: I’ve always focused on balance because of my past gymnastics and skiing background. I value balance and feel it is critical, yet it’s always in the back of my mind. Now the GTO Board reminds me of the importance of balance training especially when I’m feeling a little bit off balance.
How do you feel the GTO Board will help you as an avid experienced downhill snow skier?
Steve: Well, again, for me, with skiing, it’s all about right leg, left leg, and balance. I’ve always had an awareness of balance because my legs and feet are different sizes. I’ve overcompensated and developed an extremely good balance for a guy that has 1 leg and foot longer. So, I think because of this disability, I have turned it into an ability.
With skiing, you can’t forget to ski. I tell this to my friends when we go skiing because there’s so many distractions. So, the GTO Board helps me to refocus on balance training, so I can enjoy skiing more, and don’t have to think about balance when I'm on the slopes.
Have you noticed more family, friends or acquaintances struggling with any balance issues?
Steve: Yes, I notice my father has lost his balance as he has gotten older. I think the more you concentrate on balance in your younger age, it will be more beneficial in your later age.
What would you say to someone who is thinking of purchasing the GTO Board?
Steve: Save for it. Put your money to work for you and your health. It is a tool in your tool kit. You want to have the right tools for the right jobs – without the right tool, the job doesn’t get done. So, just like you know, any balance, whether you are talking about balance for your mind, spiritual or physical, it’s important to find balance in your life.
Staff: I like that you talk about friends and family a lot. *This shows in your photos that are posted below - another way to keep balance in your life. Thanks so much Steve for your time. Enjoy that GTO Board and your skiing adventures!
* Pictured below is Steve W. when downhill snow skiing with family and friends, on the majestic Utah mountain slopes, and holding his GTO Board after his workout routine to enhance his strength, balance and coordination.
