MEET BANFF LOCAL, ERIN TETLEY
Erin Tetley
Banff Local, outdoor enthusiast
Posted on
21/10/2021
Words by
Erin Tetley
Photography by
Lindsey Hill @ej.lifestyle
The Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival is more than just a 9 days festival, it’s a mountain culture celebration, bringing films and stories of adventure and exploration from around the world. The Festival also a huge impact on local in Banff inspiring thousand of locals of different ages and different outdoor passions to get out there everyday and be apart of this mountain culture.
We caught up with Banff local Erin Tetley who moved to Banff when she was 18 years old, 12 years later her heart is still in Banff fueled by the mountains.
Why and when did you decide to move to Banff?
I’m originally from Thunder Bay, Ontario. I moved to Banff when I was 18 and the mountains captured my heart, so I never left. Both of my parents worked out here in the 80’s, I grew up hearing stories of how the “life in the mountains” was the best thing that ever happened to them.
It inspired me to make the big move out west in 2010. My mom worked for Sunshine Village and my dad worked for the CN Railroad up in Jasper. My parents moved back to Ontario when they were in their late 20’s and had 3 girls. All 3 of us moved out here to the Bow Valley, following my parent’s footsteps.
What is your biggest accomplishment since moving to the mountains?
Throughout my life I was overweight. I always put people first and never really focused on myself or on self-love. When I moved to the mountains I said, “never allow physical inability stop you from doing what you love”. I smartened up with my eating habits and started to show myself some love.
I put myself out there and never gave up. When I changed up my eating habits, I focused on eating plant based and eliminated refined sugars, gluten & alcohol. When I incorporated this with exercise, the weight just came right off. Over the course of the last 2 years, I’ve lost 120 pounds!
Tell us about one thing you learned from the mountains?
I’ve never felt more at home than I have living here in Banff. I believe that everyone who gets the chance to experience this special place are here for similar reasons. We all have a desire to get out and explore, we’re here to meet new people, to challenge ourselves and to step outside of our comfort zone. The Banff community is small which brings us all so close together. I’ve spent my entire adult life here and these mountains have shaped me into the woman I am today. The mountains have helped me build strength, they have educated me and inspired me in so many ways.
When I moved to the mountains I said, "never allow physical inability stop you from doing what you love. ”
I've never felt more at home than I have living here in Banff. The Banff community is small which brings us all so close together. ”
What would you say to 18 years old Erin who wants to move to the mountains?
Never stop working towards building a better version of yourself. The mountains will open new opportunities and experiences that will shape you into the inspiring woman you will become.
How is the Banff Film Festival inspiring you to play in the mountains?
Living here in Banff, adventure lives right outside my front door. The incredible films of talented and inspiring people get the stoke levels high and encourages me to take advantage of this epic place I get to call home.
