Merle Soppela’s alpine skiing career ended earlier than planned. But instead of dwelling on unfulfilled dreams, she discovered the freedom to do exactly what she wants.

• Who: Merle Soppela – former alpine skier, a multi-sport enthusiast and sustainability professional
• How she moves: On skis, bike, and foot – preferably for long distances
• Where to find her: On Instagram @merlesoppela

When you’ve spent your entire life chasing one dream, walking away from it isn’t easy. But sometimes, letting go brings a new kind of freedom.

Skiing was Merle’s first love. Raised in Finnish Lapland, she was put on skis at the age of two.

“One of my earliest memories is my dad giving me a push in the off-piste runs at Pyhä. I was just a tiny kid skiing along with the others,” she recalls.

Merle’s talent was obvious from the start, and her rise in slalom races came quickly.

“From that point on, everything revolved around alpine skiing—until the day I stopped competing.”

As a professional athlete, Merle spent several years on the World Cup circuit, won four Finnish championships, and competed in three World Championships. Her goals were as high as they come in alpine skiing. But injuries slowed her progress and kept her off the slopes for long stretches.

“There are achievements I’m proud of, but I didn’t make it to where I had always aimed. So no, I didn’t reach everything I wanted.”

When the time came to quit, though, the decision was surprisingly clear.

“I realized I was already thinking about what comes next—whether I could do something completely different.”

The shift from pro sports to everyday life hasn’t been without its lessons. Merle had to learn the hard way how demanding a packed calendar of studies, work, and hobbies can be.

“I thought, ‘I’m training way less than before—how could I be tired?’ But I realized physical strain isn’t the only kind that wears you down.”

So, she’s learned to rest and do slower things, too. And it’s made a big difference.

These days, yoga and Pilates are regular entries in her calendar.

Some might find that kind of scheduling stressful—but for Merle, structure helps her stick to recovery routines.

“If I’ve booked a class, I’ll go—even if I’m not in the mood. And yoga is at its best when it feels like you don’t have time for it.”

Still, the competitor in her doesn’t disappear completely—even on the yoga mat.

“Yoga is seriously hard. You look around, see what others are doing, and think, ‘There’s no way I can be this bad at it’—and that just makes you want to get better.”

Even with her fast-paced lifestyle, Merle finds herself craving distance from it all.

That’s when she heads into nearby nature with her partner and dog—or joins friends for a trip up north to combine freeriding, cross-country skiing, and ice fishing.

“More and more, I try to spend holidays somewhere without cell reception. I guess that’s how far it’s gotten with phones and screens—the only way to escape is to get way out.”

Having multiple sports at her fingertips means she’s always ready for adventure.

“I want to stay fit enough to drop everything and go, anytime. If it sounds fun, I’m in.”

Long trips on skis, running shoes, or a bike are her best way to disconnect from the noise of everyday life.

“Life happens in moments. And there’s something therapeutic about having the time to just be.”

Don’t box yourself in. You don’t have to choose just one sport. If you’re excited about something, go for it! Variety is a strength—and it can actually help you improve, not hold you back.

Believe in your fitness. People worry they’re not in good enough shape. But fitness doesn’t just vanish. It’s not the distance that gets you—it’s the pace.

Bring snacks. Eating and drinking well keeps you going. Long distances are all about smart fueling.