Episode #20
Jess Kimura
The Uninvited: Grief, Grit, and Giving Back
In this raw and fearless episode, Rebecca is joined by legendary snowboarder, filmmaker, and community builder Jess Kimura. Known for her gritty street style and fearless progression, Jess has redefined women’s snowboarding, both on the board and behind the scenes. Together Jess and Rebecca unpack everything from trauma and transformation to head injuries, grief, imposter syndrome, and the pressure to succeed in male-dominated spaces.
What emerges is a conversation about healing, identity, and purpose—one where Jess reminds us that being “the uninvited” is sometimes what it takes to change the game.
Show Notes
Rebecca and Jess discuss:
Breaking into a sport where women weren’t invited, and staying there
The connection between athletic ambition and grief
The power of mentorship and building opportunities for others
The creation and impact of The Uninvited film and invitational series
Transformative Insights:
Why “showing up uninvited” became a guiding force in Jess’s career
How redefining success helped Jess shift from accolades to impact
The evolution from performance to purpose after personal tragedy
Why surfing became a lifeline and what fear in the water taught her about fear in life
Vulnerable Moments:
Jess opens up about the sudden loss of her partner and the grief that followed
She reflects on the isolation and pressure at the top of her sport
She talks about the long-term mental effects of head injuries and how they shape identity
She shares how she pushed through being undervalued, overlooked, and underestimated
She brings up the raw truth about loneliness, mental health, and the need to ask for help
Practical Wisdom:
Navigating burnout by redefining work-life boundaries
Learning to build support systems even when independence feels easier
Understanding how to take up space without permission
The importance of community, visibility, and fair investment in women’s sports
Personal Growth:
From snowboarder to producer and event founder, Jess charts a new course
Finding strength in softness and realizing that you can lead with both
Developing intergenerational friendships and learning across differences
Building legacy not by being the best, but by helping others rise
Show Sponsor
This episode is sponsored by Momentous. Fuel your journey. Momentous offers clean, science-backed performance nutrition trusted by elite athletes. Get 35% off your first subscription with code RUSCH at checkout.
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