Latest news with #woodchopping
Fast Company
7 days ago
- General
- Fast Company
No distractions, just action: Leading with clarity in uncertain times
When I was 14 years old, I was the squad leader on a 9th-grade camping trip. It rained the whole time, which meant we weren't just wet and cold; we were also pretty stressed. We cooked our meals over a fire, so I coped with the stress the best way I knew how: chopping wood. Correction: chopping a lot of wood. My dad had taught me and I enjoyed the tangible physicality of the act. I spent hours chopping log after log so the group could eat a warm meal. I felt proud to serve my squad in a meaningful way. But soon I developed blisters, which eventually got so bad that I couldn't hold the axe any longer. I went to the teachers' cabin for first aid, and when I returned, I wasn't sure what to do with myself. I'd fixated on chopping wood as my contribution; my way of showing strength and responsibility to my squad. Without that, who was I as squad leader? Unable to fall back on chopping wood, I had to find another way to lead. So I helped set up a tarp, cooked meals, and supported the team in quieter ways. And I taught them how to chop wood. Subscribe to the Daily newsletter. Fast Company's trending stories delivered to you every day Privacy Policy | Fast Company Newsletters Decades later, I still think about this trip frequently—this year more than most. During a year of great economic, political, and cultural upheaval, I find myself looking down at my palms often, the memory of those hard-earned blisters echoing in the tough calluses that formed there. They remind me of the invaluable lesson I learned that damp, chilly day after returning to camp: There is strength in doing hard things, and there is strength in being vulnerable and leaning on others. If you're a leader, you've likely earned your share of 'blisters and calluses' navigating recent years. It's clear we won't lead by having all the answers. Instead, we'll guide our teams by staying focused and relying on one another. Here's what's helping me navigate 2025: STAY FOCUSED ON THE WORK When political tensions rise or the headlines create whiplash, we return to what remains clear: our purpose. My company, 1% for the Planet, exists to ensure our planet and future generations thrive. That hasn't changed, and it's our responsibility to keep it front and center every day. Because we've taken the time to lock in our purpose, vision, and values—and because we built a strong strategic plan for 2025—we don't need to reassess. We need to stay the course. Our model and strategy are built to thrive in times like this. But what if yours aren't? What if you set up camp intending to cook over wood, but find the logs have been drenched by unexpected rain? Then it's time to reorient. Figuring out a way to fuel your team becomes the priority. Get creative, find some camp stoves, and keep everyone fed. One of the great gifts of purpose clarity is that it makes hard decisions easier. You don't have to second-guess. You just have to keep going. SPEAK OFTEN AND OPENLY WITH YOUR TEAM advertisement It is easier to keep a team focused and energized when they feel confident in the plan and how they contribute to it. However, a recent report by Axios HQ found that while 27% of leaders believe their employees are well-aligned with org-wide goals, only 9% of employees agree. Both numbers are low, but the staggering gulf between them speaks volumes about the common communication gaps between leaders and their teams. I suspect this gulf persists because closing it is challenging in a particular way: you have to be open with your team, even when the chips are down and especially when you have stumbled. How do I know this? Because I've learned this lesson the hard way in my decade-plus at the helm of 1% for the Planet. Last year, I made some missteps in leadership, which my team quickly identified in our quarterly survey. Thanks to past experience and great coaching, I knew I needed to address their feedback head-on. I directly addressed their concerns, taking responsibility for my mistakes, and then shared our learnings and changes in all-staff meetings. This transparent approach established a foundation of trust, resulting in greater strategic and operational clarity for our team. LEAN ON ONE ANOTHER As leaders, we continually walk a fine line between taking decisive action and delegating effectively. Our teams need both and my experience is that it's an ongoing, daily process of discerning what is called for. Something that's clear time and again is that we lead better—particularly in uncertain, dynamic environments—when we acknowledge that our singular perspective is inherently limiting, and proactively tap into the vantage points of others. MAKE BUSINESS DECISIONS WITH THE FUTURE IN MIND Uncertainty is the rule, not the exception. That's why it's so important to make decisions that can withstand cultural and political volatility, rather than just reacting to the moment. For companies deeply rooted in their values, making purpose-aligned decisions over trend-driven ones becomes intuitive. I'm inspired by 1% for the Planet members who integrate environmental responsibility into their core business, not as a trend, but as a strategic move to future-proof their operations. This demonstrates the courage leaders need today: to think long-term, stay focused, and adapt without losing their center. I'm a long way from having it all figured out (and I'm fairly certain none of us ever will). However, one of the unexpected gifts of leading through uncertainty is that it teaches us how to learn, grow, and become stronger. The challenges shape us. And if we're lucky, they leave us with the kind of calluses that remind us what we're capable of.
ABC News
05-07-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Woodchopping competitors in decline but generational sport will 'never die out'
Furlyn Barrett was five years old when he was given his first axe. "We chopped about every little branch and shrub and tree around in the yard," he said. Barrett comes from a long line of axemen — his dad, uncles, and 22 cousins have all been part of the competitive sport. He's also continuing the legacy in his own family, with all four of his children travelling the country competing in woodchopping events at agricultural shows. His daughter Takiah, 24, has represented the Australian women's team and recently won the women's underhand world title championship in Sydney. His son Awatea, 20, last year won the national timbersports rookie championship in Melbourne. Now a veteran of the sport, Barrett, who is based in the tropical Queensland city of Mackay, said he was trying to keep agricultural shows running by sourcing wood for competitions, like those at this weekend's Townsville show. Standing blocks, underhand, tree-felling, and open-sawing events all make up the show's woodchopping schedule, with about 20 axe competitors vying for glory. "Queensland has some very hard wood, so you don't want to be chopping those," Barrett said. "We source woods that are not protected, that have no monetary value at all." Takiah said she wouldn't change anything about her family being involved in woodchopping. "We give each other a bit of competition as well and courage to get through the log," she said. Woodchopping is one of Australia's oldest sports and is a staple of rural shows around the country. Queensland Axemen's Association judge Sue Campbell said while spectator numbers never waned, the number of competitors was decreasing. Ms Campbell said the cost of living could be contributing to a lull in numbers. "It's a very expensive sport," she said. "The axe is worth about $1,000, if not more. "Some of [the competitors] would have 70 of them, 80 of them." Ms Campbell said travel could also be an issue, with competitors required to frequently move to different woodchopping circuits. But she said woodchopping would never truly die out, as competitors often came from families that had been involved in the sport for generations. "We only have one [competitor] that I've known of in the past 10 or 15 years that has come into the sport and had no connection to woodchopping at all," she said. "It's always grandads, or 'My uncle did it'. "Give us another five or six years and we'll have a big influx again of the next generation coming through." Ms Campbell said back injuries were common, alongside the occasional cut. "Some of those logs of hardwood will cut through in 23 seconds, and they're really powering through it," she said. Ms Campbell said some agricultural shows set up woodchopping schools before competitions started to encourage more people to enter the sport. "We're proud of our circuit up here and we're proud of our chopping up here," she said. "It's a fantastic sport and a fantastic community."
Daily Mail
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Model makes money woodchopping after dog attack left her scarred and unable to work
After a dog attack left model Gia Armani with severe facial scars, she found an unexpected path to healing and self-discovery - wood chopping. The incident in November 2017 broke her nose and profoundly impacted her modeling career, which she had built since being scouted at age 15. The 31-year-old told People magazine: 'I had those scars for a long time. 'It put me out of work because, as a model, you're kind of like a human hanger - a living mannequin. So having scars on my face wasn't good for commercial work.' For nearly a year, Armani wasn't getting jobs which meant her income was gone and her future was left uncertain. This period of hardship followed years of personal challenges, including the loss of her mother to cancer, a move to rural Pennsylvania, and struggles with her weight and emotional well-being. It was during this difficult time that she began seeking new ways to be active. Armani said: 'I started trying different workouts - hiking, gym sessions, home workouts, even basketball. I was always looking for active things to do.' Her new home, which had a fireplace in every room, meant she was already purchasing firewood. She said: 'One day, I thought - that looks like a great workout.' The thought ignited a new passion. After noticing some already-split wood in her yard, she asked the person responsible to teach her. She recalled: 'They said, "Are you sure you want to do this?" And I was like, "Yeah - I'm going live right now and doing it."' Her livestream went viral, getting millions of views. Armani said: 'It just went crazy. People didn't quite know how to react. Some loved me, some hated me - and honestly, I didn't really care.' She explained that much of the initial attention online came from viewers believing she was chopping wood incorrectly. Armani said: 'When I started, I think one of the reasons I went viral was because people thought I was doing it wrong. 'They'd say, "You're swinging it wrong," or, "That's not how you chop wood." But I was intentionally doing it harder - I wanted it to be a workout.' Since that pivotal moment, Armani has fully embraced wood chopping, blending strength with fashion. Often wearing sporty, stylish outfits, she has built a significant online presence, with over 1.4 million followers on TikTok and 460,000 on Instagram. And her growth wasn't just limited to her platform. She even lost over 80lbs and said she has become more attuned to her body. She admitted: 'I never thought I would be chopping wood. 'It's a world of difference from being on a photo shoot and literally having someone put your shoes on.' She explained that while she has a large following, she also receives criticism sometimes - but she doesn't let it affect her. Armani has had moments where she realized her content makes a real difference - including when someone asked her for advice for someone who was feeling like they wanted to end their life. She said: 'At first, I didn't think I was helping, but then I was overwhelmed by messages from people saying they were glad they found my stream that day. 'I told them, if you can't find anything positive, at least remember - life is unpredictable. So why give up?' She said she now views the attack as the catalyst for a lot of personal growth, and since beginning her woodchopping journey Armani realizes how much freedom she has - especially not being in the modeling world anymore. But she still has big dreams of returning to the modeling world. She said: 'I still manifest it all the time - I want to be in Sports Illustrated so badly. 'They don't focus on one body type. They're open to all kinds of women. 'I have stretch marks, I have loose skin from weight loss, and I've been through it - but that's exactly why I think I belong there.'
Daily Mail
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Model makes money with unusual outdoors pursuit after horrifying dog attack left her scarred and unable to work
After a dog attack left model Gia Armani with severe facial scars, she found an unexpected path to healing and self-discovery: wood chopping. The incident in November 2017 broke her nose and profoundly impacted her modeling career, which she had built since being scouted at age 15. 'I had those scars for a long time,' Armani, 31, recently told People magazine. 'It put me out of work because, as a model, you're kind of like a human hanger - a living mannequin. So having scars on my face wasn't good for commercial work.' For nearly a year, Armani wasn't getting jobs which meant her income was gone and her future was left uncertain. This period of hardship followed years of personal challenges, including the loss of her mother to cancer, a move to rural Pennsylvania, and struggles with her weight and emotional well-being. It was during this difficult time that she began seeking new ways to be active. 'I started trying different workouts - hiking, gym sessions, home workouts, even basketball. I was always looking for active things to do,' Armani said. The incident in November 2017 broke her nose and profoundly impacted her modeling career, which she had built since being scouted at age 15. She's seen in May Her new home, which had a fireplace in every room, meant she was already purchasing firewood. 'One day, I thought - that looks like a great workout,' she recalled. And that thought ignited a new passion. After noticing some already-split wood in her yard, she asked the person responsible to teach her. 'They said, "Are you sure you want to do this?" And I was like, "Yeah - I'm going live right now and doing it."' Her livestream went viral, getting millions of views. 'It just went crazy,' Armani said. 'People didn't quite know how to react. Some loved me, some hated me - and honestly, I didn't really care.' She explained that much of the initial attention online came from viewers believing she was chopping wood incorrectly. 'When I started, I think one of the reasons I went viral was because people thought I was doing it wrong,' recalled the former model. 'They'd say, "You're swinging it wrong," or, "That's not how you chop wood." But I was intentionally doing it harder - I wanted it to be a workout.' Since that pivotal moment, Armani has fully embraced wood chopping, blending strength with fashion. Often wearing sporty, stylish outfits, she has built a significant online presence, with over 1.4 million followers on TikTok and 460,000 on Instagram. And her growth wasn't just limited to her platform. She even lost over 80 pounds and said she has become more attuned to her body. 'I never thought I would be chopping wood,' she admitted. 'It's a world of difference from being on a photo shoot and literally having someone put your shoes on.' She explained that while she has a large following, she also receives criticism sometimes - but she doesn't let it affect her. Armani has had moments where she realized her content makes a real difference - including when someone asked her for advice for someone who was feeling like they wanted to end their life. 'At first, I didn't think I was helping,' she said. 'But then I was overwhelmed by messages from people saying they were glad they found my stream that day. 'I told them, if you can't find anything positive, at least remember - life is unpredictable. So why give up?' She said she now views the attack as the catalyst for a lot of personal growth, and since beginning her woodchopping journey Armani realizes how much freedom she has - especially not being in the modeling world anymore. But she still has big dreams to return to the modeling world. 'I still manifest it all the time - I want to be in Sports Illustrated so badly,' she said. 'They don't focus on one body type. They're open to all kinds of women. 'I have stretch marks, I have loose skin from weight loss, and I've been through it - but that's exactly why I think I belong there.'
