Skis, Slush, and Solitude: Valerie Gagné’s Local Winter Expedition

It began with a whisper of slush underfoot. Alone on the frozen Manicouagan Reservoir—also known as the Eye of Quebec—Valerie Gagné faced silence, wind, and a neck injury that left her barely able to lift her head. This wasn’t a record attempt or a statement. It was a quiet test of competence, confidence, and the will to carry on when no one’s watching.

A former high-performance athlete who once chased the Olympic dream in skiing and rowing, Valerie pivoted her life from podiums to purpose after stepping away from elite sport. What she found next—through organizations like Impossible to Possible—was a deeper kind of resilience. One rooted in community, exploration, and curiosity.

In our conversation, she recounts how solo winter travel taught her more than competition ever could. Each mile over unstable ice, each hour of frozen gear and aching muscles, became part of a longer apprenticeship—toward becoming the kind of adventurer who’s not defined by trophies, but by trust in herself.

From guiding in Siberia and Baffin Island to her work as an air traffic controller, Valerie is a rare mix of calm under pressure and joy in the unknown. Her story isn’t about firsts—it’s about what lasts. And what grows, quietly, in the cold.

Watch The Episode With Valerie Gagné

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Listen To The Episode With Valerie Gagné

• Training through hardship – Valerie ran behind her mum’s car at age 8 to prepare for her first race.
• Reclaiming identity post-sport – She found new meaning after leaving Olympic dreams behind.
• Solo as a learning space – Her Eye of Quebec expedition was about skill-building, not speed.

• “It gave me wings.” – On how Impossible to Possible changed her life.
• “I just kept going.” – Her mantra through slush, pain, and solitude.
• “It wasn’t about being the best.” – A shift from competition to collaboration and growth.

• Manicouagan Reservoir – A meteor-impact lake in Quebec, 200km around, crossed solo.
• Lake Baikal, Siberia – Valerie guided a winter trip across its frozen expanse in 2020.
• Impossible to Possible – Offers youth transformative expeditions that blend endurance with education.

• Backyard adventures build confidence – You don’t have to travel far to grow strong.
• Experience over accolades – Valerie now values learning and sharing over racing to be first.

Call to Adventure

Valerie’s challenge: Find adventure in your own backyard. Whether it’s a local trail or frozen lake, what matters is showing up and learning. Don’t wait for the perfect moment or destination. Just go.

Pay It Forward

Valerie’s pick: Impossible to Possible — inspiring youth through endurance expeditions and global classroom engagement. A platform that turned Valerie’s life around and continues to empower young adventurers.

• Valerie Gagné – Follow on Instagram and TikTok at @therunningpanda
• Manicouagan Reservoir – Wikipedia article
• Impossible to Possible – Official site

Before You Go

If Valerie’s story stirred something in you—resilience, restlessness, or the quiet courage to try—consider sharing this post, leaving a review, or simply stepping outside to chase your own local adventure. And as always, thanks for listening.