I’ve thought about how to start this for some time and what it came down to was simply putting my fingers to the keyboard and just seeing what poured out.

I’ve been with Trailblazer for a few years now and have seen people come, go, mature, as well as witness goals come to fruition. Along the way I’ve been managing the blog and social media channels, plus helping to bring some fun events to life within our stores.

Though I grew up in Connecticut my whole life, I had a career in my 20′s as a skateboarder. This allowed me to travel the world and even take up residence in California for about two years.

In that time frame I chose to go back to school after a lengthy ankle injury. This brought me back to Connecticut to get my journalism degree and transitioned me into my role at Trailblazer. I knew I would end up back in California one day, so instead of waiting for that day to come to me, which it might have never done, I sought it out and am now making that transition.

So, yes, I’m now a Los Angeles resident, again.

The decision I made to move my life to California was a tough one. Leaving my family and close friends was not an easy choice, but I think sometimes the hardest decisions to make in life are the ones I’ve always looked back on to appreciate the most.

So, yes, I’m in California, it’s sunny, I’m happy, and am handing over the keys to our newest member of the team this week, Amy Parulis. She comes to Trailblazer with a great background in the outdoors and I’m looking forward to seeing the direction she takes at the healm.

So, please look for my guest posts in the near future, welcome Amy, and I’ll talk to you soon!

Signing off… Tony DaSilva

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Connecticut to California: Part 6 – Zion National Park, Utah

by TonyDasilva March 11, 2013 Hike

So, this is it… My final stop on this cross-country traveling extravaganza. Last time I checked in with you I took an awesome, but scary mountain bike ride in Page, AZ. That was an afternoon stop on our way to Zion National Park, in Utah. I’d heard about Zion for years, but never thought I [...]

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Connecticut to California: Part 2 – ASHEVILLE, NC!

by TonyDasilva February 28, 2013 Staff

Okay, we’re back. If you missed my first post from the first leg of the CT to LA cross-country road trip, check that out first in order to bring you up to speed. BOOM -> Connecticut to California: Part 1 – DRIVE! So, we left off somewhere in between me almost burning down the Mountaineer [...]

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Bishop California: A True Bouldering Paradise

by TonyDasilva February 21, 2013 Climb

By: Charlie Kelly This winter, just when the slushy wet of the East Coast became too much to handle, my friend Emily called to invite me to Bishop, CA. It’s the true American bouldering paradise. I obviously went. Here are our exploits, most related to (and a few distinctly separate from) the wonderful sport of [...]

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To Pedicure or Not To Pedicure: A Runner’s Dilemma

by Trailblazer February 11, 2013 Run
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I think when I first started running barefoot (and by barefoot, I mean in Vibrams) and was doing research and reading blogs about it, I came across a lot of articles about barefoot runners comparing how dirty their feet get. If you head over to the Runner’s World Barefoot Running forum, you’ll not only get [...]

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Kate’s “BARON BARS”

by TonyDasilva January 31, 2013 Barefoot Running

By popular demand from Kate’s previous post, here is the recipe for her delicious bars! BARON BARS. (IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO BE VERY CREATIVE WITH THIS RECIPE! ADD…SUBTRACT…MAKE IT YOUR OWN!) INGREDIENTS AND NUTRITIONAL INFO: CREATED BY MICHAEL BARON. Volume Calories Fat (g) Carbs (g) Protein (g) Whole Oats (NOT quick cook type) 4 [...]

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The Local Three, Six, Five:IF WE ARE WHAT WE EAT – THEN I’M A HOMERAWOLAEGG

by TonyDasilva January 30, 2013 Barefoot Running

By Guest Blogger: Kate Baron IF WE ARE WHAT WE EAT – THEN I’M A…HOMEMADE-RAW-GRANOLA-EGG! Or in short… a HOMERAWOLAEGG! On a regular basis I am asked about nutrition or…“What do you eat?!”  This is a tough question to answer as I’m kind of an “opportunistic food consumer.” I have general limitations – but I [...]

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The Local Three, Six, Five: HEADED TO WHERE THE MAGIC HAPPENS, “Leaving parachute behind”

by Trailblazer January 4, 2013 Run

By Guest Blogger: Kate Baron “Do one thing every day that scares you”.  - Eleanor Roosevelt We’ve all seen either these words exactly, or of similar flavor, on magnets in bookstores, greeting cards, motivational blogs (not even trying to be ironic!), etc…  Usually, I absorb the words and they stick with me for a fleeting moment [...]

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The Local Three, Six, Five: VICE – A – VERSA PERFECTLY FLAWED.

by TonyDasilva December 14, 2012 Barefoot Running

By Guest Blogger: Kate Baron I was reminded the other day how the human spirit can carry on through adversity and even change in the midst of it. Some friends of mine were commenting,  that while they were “eating ice cream and boozin’ it up…Kate is out there running”.  This made me chuckle – and [...]

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The Local Three, Six, Five: Kate’s Down to Earth Running Community: Local Race Recap

by Trailblazer October 2, 2012 Barefoot Running

By Guest Blogger: Kate Baron “Life is just better when you have a goal.” – Lauren Fleshman. My favorite and most motivating season is here!  RACE SEASON. The start of autumn brings the start of weekend races galore.  Usually they favor hot cider, clam chowder, and other delish autumn grub – just an added delight [...]

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ARC’TERYX New Routin’ in the Creek (VIDEO)

by TonyDasilva August 8, 2012 Climb

Last spring, Arc’teryx athlete Will Stanhope headed to Utah’s desert kingdom to headpoint established routes and find a few of his own. “You don’t really need to go on the full spirit quest and wander out into the middle of nowhere to find new routes,” says Stanhope. At Indian Creek, it’s a matter of looking [...]

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Tough Mudder Trailblazer Aftermath with Paola Guevara

by TonyDasilva July 19, 2012 Barefoot Running
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Tough Mudder has come and gone, but the the Trailblazer/Denali team is still feeling the effects. Let’s dig in with some follow up questions this week to see how they faired at this past week’s chaos in Vermont. Second up, Paola Guevara. How did the event compare to your expectations? Was it easier or tougher than [...]

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Tough Mudder Trailblazer Aftermath with Chris Mejias

by TonyDasilva July 18, 2012 Barefoot Running
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Tough Mudder has come and gone, but the the Trailblazer/Denali team is still feeling the effects. Let’s dig in with some follow up questions this week to see how they faired at this past week’s chaos in Vermont. First up, Chris Mejias. How did the event compare to your expectations? Was it easier or tougher [...]

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Trailblazer’s Run the Gauntlet

by TonyDasilva July 16, 2012 Barefoot Running
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Join Trailblazer for the Inaugural Run the Gauntlet Race! The first annual event features a 5K complete with obstacles, sand, live music and fun! Participants will try and conquer 8-10 obstacles as they run 3.1 miles along the shore of Hammonasset Beach. Some obstacles include tires, hay bales, water, cargo nets, and much more! After [...]

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Trailblazer and Denali Team Up for Tough Mudder: Profile – Derek Humphrey

by TonyDasilva July 13, 2012 Climb
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Our team is getting totally  psyched for Tough Mudder this weekend. Last but not least, and rounding out our week profile series is, Derek Humphrey, our New Haven store manager! Motto: “Send it!” As of right now, how are you feeling about taking on the Tough Mudder Challenge? It’s definitely going to be a challenge and a new [...]

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Trailblazer and Denali Team Up for Tough Mudder: Profile – Garred Grate

by TonyDasilva July 12, 2012 Climb
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Our team is getting totally  psyched for Tough Mudder this weekend. This week we’ll take a look at who will take over the Mudder this time around. Name: Garred Grate “I’m outdoorsy in that I like getting drunk on patios.” As of right now, how are you feeling about taking on the Tough Mudder Challenge? [...]

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Trailblazer and Denali Team Up for Tough Mudder: Profile – Paola Guevara

by TonyDasilva July 11, 2012 Climb
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Our team is getting totally  psyched for Tough Mudder this month. This week we’ll take a look at who will take over the Mudder this time around. Name: Paola Guevara “When you are content to be simply yourself and don’t compare or compete, everyone will respect you.” – Lao Tzu As of right now, how are [...]

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