Sonia Elvstål - Against all odds

Picture: Sonia Elvstål

Meet the incredible Sonia Elvstål, who against all odds started snowboarding after a horrible car accident back in 2009. Sonia, you’re a true inspiration to us all, thanks for sharing your story.

Hey there Sonia, we would love to get to know you better. Who are you?

I am a 40 year old girl who loves life. I love being on fun exciting projects making me feel alive. Ever since my accident, I have been incredibly selfish. But selfish, out of love for myself. I do things I want to do and I focus on myself. I would rather be perceived as a "caring egoist". In other words, a person who takes care of her life and therefore feels she has the strength to take care of others. That´s probably me, or at least the one I strive to be. 

How long have you been snowboarding for?

I lost my leg in an accident in 2009. I couldn´t wear my prosthesis the first 8 years as I often got wounds and infections. The kids basically lived in the slopes back in 2017 and I sat and drank coffee, waiting all by myself. So I decided, when the kids went to their dad for their vacation, I was going to learn snowboarding so I could join the kids. I was so scared of the lift so I walked up the mountain instead. I fell, broke down and went home. The next day I went to the mountains again and fell, gave up, went home, broke down and gave up. Then I looked at Amy Purdy who inspired me over the years and she managed to go snowboarding with two prostheses, so I went back to the mountains and fought on. In 2018 I had my first winter with the kids on the slopes and I was so bad. So I said to myself: I´m gonna be "the best in the world" and then it happened! Today, thanks to this goal, I have traveled a lot, met wonderful people from all around the world and I´ve developed so much in my life with prosthetics. 

Your story og how you started snowboarding is quite unique.

In 2009 I went on a motorcycle trip. I remember sitting at home, planning my maternity weekend. Everything after that is black. I made a left turn with my motorcycle and accidentally collided with the car behind me, so my left leg was crushed and I woke up at the hospital without it. To be honest, I don´t miss my life before the accident. I was caught up in a stressful everyday life, and mostly sat at home waiting for my children to grow up and move away, so I could start living again. I didn´t see opportunities, only the things I didn´t have in life. I had a tough time ahead of me physically, but I won something important. I woke up in the hospital realizing I had friends I´d forgotten so I started prioritizing life and doing fun things with friends and my kids. I woke up mentally. I woke up without legs with a different physique, but mentally I felt better than ever. Thanks to the accident I became a better friend, a better mother and a better version of myself. 

Photo: Sonia Elvstål

But, how did you manage to stay positive, and not loose hope?

Thanks to fantastic friends, wonderful children and a phsyche of steel. We can do so much beyond our imagination, it unfortunately cost me a left leg to realize that. I wish for everyone to be comfortable with the lives they live today, not planning for it 10 years ahead. Today is all we have. With that perspective, I learned to live in the now. And I wish everyone to get there without requiring an accident or illness first.

That´s so inspiering, Sonia! So, tell us. Why snowboard?

My choices were nowboarding, skiing or sit skiing. I believed snowboard, instead of a foot on each ski would be easier to learn. So I tried it out and realized I made the right choice. 

Wow, have you always had such a strond will?

Absolutely not. Or, I probably had it in me, but after several break ups and living life alone as a single person, I got stuck in some form of loneliness. I had family, relatives and friends around me at all times, which I unfortunately did not really recognize. But, we all have it in us, we may forget it from time to time. When we hit rock bottom, it´s diffucult to see the top.

Speaking of family, how did they react to your new interest in Snowboard?

They love to be with me on the slopes and on this journey. My partner is both vallachef, coaching team and film crew. Haha. 

Sounds like you have a good crew going. So, what´s your goals?

In short: Become the best in the world. My real goal is to have fun and feel good with all challenges in life. Right now I want to be a strong role model for our young ones. I want to inspire and let everyone know that everything is possible as long as your heart is in it. If we do things for the right reason, we will feel good. 

It´s important for me to feel safe, grateful and genuine in everything I do. Otherwise I will move on to something else. We must never forget to take care of ourselves and listen to our inner self. Health is a goal in itself. 

So true! Tell us, what´s your plans for the future?

Right now it´s going to Holland and Landgraf for my first EC and two VC in November. Covid-19 has kept me in Sweden and out of competition, so I need to see how much I have developed during these two years. I will focus on my first medal. That would of course be a dream come true.

Is there anything you´d like to say to all the girls out there, having doubts going into snowboarding ?

Give it everything you´ve got and enjoy every second. It´s a huge feeling of freedom to be at one with your board. But never forget to listen to your inner self, always do what you feel is right for you. And if it's snowboarding, you'll be speeding down the mountain soon.

What should be done to equate girls in boardsports?

That question is difficult. In my heart it is already equal. 

Thanks to Sonia, sharing her story and passion for Snowboarding. Give her a follow on Instagram: soniaelvstal

Do you know anyone with a story to tell, or maybe you’ve got one yourself? Don’t hesitate to write us: contactgrlshred@gmail.com