If you’re ever been to Jackson Hole, you’ve likely noticed that there are many scary-big cliffs all over the damn place. You also probably wondered who hits those suckers.

The answer: Sam Schwartz.

The Jackson Hole local is well known for launching massive features in Wyoming and beyond, but don’t think for a second that all it takes to do so is having big balls (though that’s certainly part of it). Underneath Schwartz’ talent lies a deep thought process, a process recently summed up through a compelling Instagram series dubbed #MoreToIt.

Browse through the series, below, and take a step back to appreciate what folks like Sam think about on a daily basis.

Sam’s #MoreToIt series

“If you pay attention to what is going around you,
you will be rewarded.”

Even when I am clearly weary of the situation at hand I still find myself seeking out the largest feature to air off. I can't help what my wandering eye finds and I can't minimize every risk, but I will always be able to turn around and call it a day. In the mountains I often find myself either going for it after carefully analyzing the situation or suppressing myself after carefully analyzing the situation. A balance is kept between the two by the underlying similarity. If you pay attention to what is going around you, you will be rewarded. Full link in the bio. ????: @ri_is @k2skis @mountain_athlete @jacksonhole @dragonalliance @markerbindings #skiing #jhawakeasfuck #thisisskiing #nsfamous #seriousfun #k2skis #jhawakeasfuck #themountaindoesntcare #moretoit #ski #powder #cliff #rulethemountain #quietprofessional #skinaked

A video posted by Sam Schwartz (@skifreejh) on Jul 11, 2016 at 6:49pm PDT

“Any athlete in the public eye is a role model
and multiple are dying each year.”

Today my newsfeed reports another death in the ski industry. Every time this happens I hurt, sometimes more than others, depending on my relationship with the deceased. Every time this happens we all are heartbroken, then time goes by, and it happens again. How many idols and role models in there 20's and 30's have to do die before we realize there is a problem. The outdoor industry is growing, and becoming popular with the general population. The newcomers will and do look up to industry veterans for guidance. Any athlete in the public eye is a role model and multiple are dying each year. I'm sharing this video to show that avoiding risk isn't possible, but managing it is. As an athlete that puts more risk on himself than most, I find it important to share the steps that I go through with everyone. I find it important to talk about the problem at hand. I find it important to share skiing in a positive and safe way with everyone who desires to spend time in the mountains, because we all deserve to have a long and happy life. Read the full description on my Facebook page. Link in my bio. ????: @keatsmaxwell @k2skis @dragonalliance @markerbindings @jacksonhole @mountain_athlete #skinaked #quietprofessional #rulethemountain #cliff #powder #seriousfun #k2skis #themountaindoesntcare #thisisskiing #weareframeless #dragonalliance #jhdreaming #backflip #jhawakeasfuck

A video posted by Sam Schwartz (@skifreejh) on Jul 18, 2016 at 4:29pm PDT

“After getting lucky earlier in the day, I felt solid on
taking it easy for the rest of the day.”

This line ended up being a great mellow line after deciding to take it easy. After getting lucky earlier in the day, I felt solid on taking it easy for the rest of the day and still coming out with some great content. Read the full story on my Facebook. Link in the bio. ????: @carsonmeyerphoto @k2skis @dragonalliance @markerbindings @jacksonhole @mountain_athlete #jhdreaming #skiing #jhawakeasfuck #seriousfun #k2skis #jhawakeasfuck #moretoit #dragonalliance #nsfamous #weareframeless #thisisskiing #powder #cliff #themountaindoesntcare #rulethemountain

A video posted by Sam Schwartz (@skifreejh) on Jul 27, 2016 at 6:11pm PDT

“I can’t control the mountains, but I can control my decision making, my physical ability, my knowledge, and the group around me.”

On a sunny mid-winter afternoon at the end of February I began a chain of events that lead to a torn ACL and partially torn Meniscus in my left knee. Far out in the backcountry of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort there is flat canyon named No Name Canyon. At the top portion of the canyon lies another JHMR side country classic called Gothic Couloir. Gothic is famous due to its mandatory air at the top to a mandatory straight line out of the “couloir”. Throughout the rehab process I kept repeating, this isn’t worth dying for. Skiing is not worth dying for, but I’m not going to stop. It scares me that I can watch multiple professional skiers and friends die each year from skiing and I still won’t stop. I have accepted that I might die doing this and I still cannot stop. Skiing is that addicting. Skiing is not worth dying for, but living a lifestyle that brings overwhelming joy, solace, and health is. I can’t control the mountains, but I can control my decision making, my physical ability, my knowledge, and the group around me. Hopefully owning the few factors that I can control and a little luck will allow me to live a long and joyful life surrounded by the people I love. Full story in the bio. ????: @hal_v_shun @k2skis @gopro @dragonalliance @mountain_athlete @markerbindings @jacksonhole #jhdreaming #skinaked #seriousfun #k2skis #weareframeless #nsfamous #thisisskiing #rulethemountain #themountaindoesntcare #quietprofessional #moretoit #jhawakeasfuck #dragonnfx #ski #cliff #gopro #goprooftheday

A video posted by Sam Schwartz (@skifreejh) on Aug 1, 2016 at 4:10pm PDT

“Doing big things is hard. It requires stepping outside of the ‘I’ mindset, it requires pushing on when you’re tired and hopeless.”

This air opened my eyes to what I was capable of, and at the same time showed me the very real dangers of my newly found obsession of monstrous airs. I ended up with a shin bruise after this air that kept me from skiing for near 3 weeks in the middle of January. A very minor consequence for the type of air I had just executed, but I took it as a reminder. This air solidified my path. All the hard work and time I had put into skiing was paying off, yet stepping into a ski career where I look for airs most professionals wouldn’t even consider, I would have to go above and beyond hard work. Doing big things is hard. It requires stepping outside of the I mindset, it requires pushing on when you’re tired and hopeless. It requires you to do more than just show up to the gym a few days a week, it requires you to do more than move past a few people telling you no. It requires relentlessness, and a passion to be in love with more than just the result, but a passion that loves the whole process, good or bad. A huge thank you to everyone that continues to support my lifestyle and skiing, I cannot express enough gratitude for this amazing life I am fortunate enough to live and the great people in it. ????: @ri_is @k2skis @dragonalliance @markerbindings @jacksonhole @mountain_athlete #skinaked #k2skis #seriousfun #moretoit #jhdreaming #ski #cliff #thisisskiing #jhawakeasfuck #themountaindoesntcare #quietprofessional #weareframelss #dragonalliance #rulethemountain #markerbindings #nsfamous #loaf

A video posted by Sam Schwartz (@skifreejh) on Aug 11, 2016 at 1:01pm PDT