Shred the Stigma 2026: Many Tracks to Wellness
April 11–12 | Boyne Mountain Resort, Boyne Falls, Michigan
A FREE Weekend for Everyone
Why I Do This
My sweet daughter Ali died by suicide in October 2023.
She was the kind of person who'd ride up next to a stranger on the mountain and say, "Hey, let's ride together." That was Ali. Zero judgment, wide open heart, and a genuine belief that connection—real, human connection—could change everything. She used to say it all the time: connection, connection, connection.
After we lost her, I knew I had to keep her conversation going. Not just for me, but because Ali's belief was right. Connection heals. Talking about mental health out loud—without shame, without stigma—saves lives. Our family founded Surf the Earth Mental Health Community in her honor, and Shred the Stigma is how we bring that mission to life every year.
This is our third year. And the heart we pour into it keeps growing.
This Weekend Is for You
I mean that. Whether you ski or not. Whether you're doing great or barely hanging on. Whether you're here because you're curious, because you've lost someone, because you're a parent who wants to be better equipped, or because you just need to be around people who get it—you belong here.
When I put this weekend together, I think about Ali and the way she made everyone feel welcome on the mountain. That's the energy I want in every room, on every run, and in every conversation this weekend. No pressure. No agenda. Just real people showing up for each other.
Everything is free. All ages and backgrounds are welcome. You just have to come.
Two Days. Many Tracks.
Saturday, April 11 — Workshops, Community & Connection
Civic Center, Boyne Mountain Resort + Slopes
We start Saturday with coffee, a light breakfast, and the kind of warm conversation that happens when people who care about the same things find each other in the same room.
We will be located on the lower level of the Civic Center. Come check out the resource tables and silent auction items! Open to Everyone!
From there, the day is full:
Rise n' Shine Yoga + Sound Bath — start the morning grounded
Sound & Soul — interactive music therapy, no experience needed
Find Your Crew — community icebreakers that actually work
Mind Body Reset — practical wellness tools for everyday life
Voices of Courage & Connection — real stories, real hope
Hoof Beats Heart Beats — the healing power of horses
Free Soup and Salad Bar Lunch with Registration
Afternoon break — ski Laps for Ali, visit the Zen Den, walk the nature trail, browse the silent auction, paint a kindness rock, or just take time for yourself
Evening — free appetizers, film screening of Mountain in My Mind 2, and silent auction announcements
Sunday, April 12 — Create, Move & Train
Civic Center + On the Slopes
Sunday morning starts the same way—yoga, sound bath, connection. Then:
Create Your Ripple — a hands-on kindness rock workshop; you'll paint a message and add it to a shared River of Kindness
Happy's Taco Truck — regroup for lunch outside (fees apply)
Banked Slalom — race the course or just cheer people on (ski pass required; register by April 9)
Guided Nature Walk — easy-paced, no pressure
Sky Bridge — panoramic views of northern Michigan, right over the terrain park (fees apply)
safeTALK Suicide Prevention Training — half-day evidence-based training led by Kiersten's Ride (separate registration required) https://www.eventbrite.com/e/safetalk-suicide-alertness-for-everyone-boyne-falls-mi-registration-1977376743068?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl
The Banked Slalom — Bringing the Conversation to the Mountain
Drue Wright Shredding! Join us!
For those who haven't heard of it: a banked slalom is a timed race course carved into the snow, with a series of angled, banked turns you navigate as fast as you can on skis or a snowboard. It has deep roots in snowboard culture and the freeride community—technical, fun, and once you run it, you want to go again.
We added it to Shred the Stigma because the mountain isn't just a backdrop for this event—it's part of the healing. For so many people, getting out on the hill is how they process hard days, quiet the noise, and feel most like themselves. Ali knew that. I know it. And I want this weekend to honor that truth.
The banked slalom on Sunday is open to everyone:
All skill levels welcome — skiers and snowboarders
Male and female categories
Top finishers in each category win prizes
But honestly? It's about the vibe more than the clock
All levels welcome!
Registration required by April 9, 2026. Ski pass fees apply. The weekend itself is free.
The People Who Make This Happen
I am in awe of the humans who bring their time, their gifts, and their hearts to this weekend. Let me introduce them.
Meagan Krzywosinski — Inspiring Inner Growth LLC Meagan leads our morning yoga and sound bath both days, and the Mind Body Reset workshop Saturday. She's a certified coach in Social and Emotional Intelligence, a single mom, and someone who shows up with her whole self every time. She also facilitates our ongoing MindAligned Meetups—so the connections you make this weekend have a place to keep growing. Meagan's reminder that "you matter, you are enough" is one I carry with me.
Hannah Hoffman, MT-BC — Remedies in Rhythm Hannah is a board-certified music therapist based right here in northern Michigan. She founded Remedies in Rhythm LLC and the Remedies in Rhythm Foundation, which works to make music therapy more accessible in our community. Her Sound & Soul session on Saturday is hands-on and interactive—no musical experience needed. Just show up and let the music do what it does.
Kathy Snyder — Midland Area Wellbeing Coalition Kathy is the Director of the Midland Area Wellbeing Coalition, a doctoral student in Community Leadership, and one of the warmest, most skilled facilitators I know. With over 25 years in education and master's degrees in counseling and applied positive psychology, she leads our community connection session and Voices of Courage & Connection on Saturday. Real stories. Real hope. She makes space for both.
Carolyne Stolzenfels — Wildfire Dreams Carolyne is a Gestalt coach and the founder of Wildfire Dreams Wellness in Charlevoix, where she does healing work alongside horses. Her Hoof Beats Heart Beats session on Saturday is something I think about all year. On Sunday she co-leads the kindness rock workshop with me and guides the nature walk. Carolyne is an artist, a healer, and someone who understands what it means to create sacred space.
Karen Wright & Kecia Freed — Pause Breathe Proceed Karen and Kecia bring the Zen Den to life on Saturday from 3–5 PM, and the Zen Den will also be open at other times throughout the day alongside other resources — check the door for posted hours. Their work centers on a simple but powerful practice: pause, breathe, proceed — a mindful approach to stress reduction that helps you break old patterns and come back to yourself. They're also offering a limited-space 9D Breathwork experience that works with your nervous system to help you let go and find your way back to calm. Stop by their table early to sign up.
Lisa Clavier — Kiersten's Ride Lisa is the founder and President of Kiersten's Ride, a suicide prevention nonprofit in Northern Lower Michigan. She co-chairs the Charlevoix/Emmet County Suicide Prevention Coalition and is a certified safeTALK and ASIST facilitator. On Sunday she leads a half-day safeTALK training—practical tools for recognizing when someone may be thinking about suicide and connecting them with help. It's for anyone 15+, and it earns 3.5 hours of continuing education credits.
A $25 deposit is required to hold your seat. You'll receive a full refund after attending the training — or you can choose to pay it forward. This training is valued at $50 and is generously supplemented by Kiersten's Ride. Register separately.
Lisa's passion for this work comes from the same place mine does: love, and the belief that no one should have to go it alone.
What's Free and What's Not
All free:
All Saturday workshops
Lunch Saturday (with registration)
Appetizers Saturday evening
Film screening
Zen Den
Resource tables
Nature walk
Kindness rock workshop
Fees apply for:
Ski passes and lift tickets (register for discount codes)
Sky Bridge (purchase directly through Boyne Mountain)
Happy's Taco Truck on Sunday
safeTALK training ($25 deposit, refunded after attending)
Donations are always welcomed and never required. But if you want to help us keep this free for everyone, every contribution makes a difference.
Come Shred with Us!!
When you register, you'll receive discount codes for lodging and lift tickets at Boyne Mountain.
More information at www.surftheearthmhc.com/shred-the-stigma-2026 or reach out at surftheearthmhc@gmail.com.
Ali used to say that a simple "hey, let's ride together" could be the thing that changes someone's day. Maybe their life. I believe that too. And I believe that every person who shows up this weekend is part of keeping her conversation going—shredding the stigma one act of kindness at a time.
Come find your track. We'll be there.
With love, Tammy Patrick
Founder, Surf the Earth Mental Health Community - AKA Ali’s Mom
Everyone is welcome here.
#ShredTheStigma #SurfTheEarth #CarveYourPath
Surf the Earth Mental Health Community is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. EIN: 93-4007544 surftheearthmhc.com | surftheearthmhc@gmail.com | 231-675-5874
Help Us Keep This Free for Everyone
This event exists because of the generosity of people who believe in this mission. If you want to be part of making it happen, here are three ways to help.
Become a Sponsor Sponsors make everything possible — the free workshops, the free lunch, the giveaways, the prizes. We have several sponsorship levels:
Black Diamond — $2,000+
Banked Slalom Event Sponsor — $1,500
Blue Square — $1,000
Green Circle — $500
Bunny Hill — $250
Fireside — $100
All sponsors receive recognition on social media, our website, and at the event. Deadline to sponsor is March 11, 2026. To sponsor, fill out the form at: forms.gle/yg5FV2N39Jh1Z1zD8 Or reach out directly: surftheearthmhc@gmail.com | 231-675-5874
Donate a Silent Auction Item Silent auction donations are due by April 1, 2026. We welcome items, services, gift certificates, experiences — anything you'd be proud to put your name on. Donors receive logo recognition and a shoutout on social media and our website.
Make a General Donation. Every dollar goes directly toward keeping this event free and accessible for everyone. Surf the Earth Mental Health Community is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so your donation is tax-deductible.
PayPal: paypal.com/US/fundraiser/charity/5069735
Venmo: @surftheearthmhc
Check: Surf the Earth MHC, 1221 Ridgeline Dr, Boyne City MI 49712
EIN: 93-4007544
Your investment creates connection. Connection shreds stigma. Connection saves lives.
