Every wonder what the people who work at a company are all about? We do; and that’s why we decided to let you into our little world and put some names and faces behind the ZEAL family!

This week, we’d love to tell you about our Training Guru, Carl Walker. He has done everything in this company at some point from shipping and repairs to helping with marketing and event efforts. He is about to embark on an awesome cross-country adventure to spread the good word of ZEAL through store training. Besides the founders of ZEAL, he’s been here the longest and has a pretty cool story about how he became affiliated with ZEAL and where it has taken him.

Where are you from? Where did you grow up?

I grew up in the mountains, some deep dark woods to be more specific. If you find your way to where the North, Middle, and South Fork of the Swan River come together, well, welcome to my back yard. It was in these mountains and meadows that a passion for the outdoors became completely and inextricably ingrained in my blood. It’s the memories of those woods that drive me and it’s a location or state of mind that I am constantly working to get back to.

Awesome. And how did you get to where you are now, in the ZEAL family?

One sunny spring day in the desert of the southwest I walked into the original ZEAL shop in Moab, Utah to buy a pair of goggles. My single goal was to buy something unique and that would hold up to the abuse I put moto goggles through. Michael & Wink (the co-founders) decided to take me under their wings and sponsor me, in a sense. And here I am today, more than 10 years later, still part of the ZEAL family; I can’t be more proud of what we are continually building here.

What is your ZEAL product of choice?

ZEAL makes a specific product for whatever I’m doing but what I’m really proud of in our line is the way so many products transcend the boundaries of activity. I wear my Essentials all day around town and get right onto my mountain bike for a burner after work (that’s me getting back into the woods, even if only for a moment). I think it’s a solid example of what we are building here at ZEAL; stylish eyewear that is going to perform at the highest level. It’s mixing a great townie design with the performance features that really make it work on my adventures.

Two favorites songs right now…go:

Another huge passion in my life is music; I’m one of those people with an insatiable appetite for fresh tracks. Today I’m really enjoying musicians who incorporate classic elements into contemporary sounds. If you want to get down to the roots though I like anything that makes me dance, I just can’t help it. Here’s a couple examples that I truly hope will make you dance with me:
Marvin gaye – Sunny Mercury Edit II
Pretty Lights – Country Roads Remix

And last but not least, what’s your favorite part about working, playing and living in Colorado?

I like to go fast and feel the wind flying through my wild hair, to hear the freewheel on my bike clicking away furiously, and to feel the limits of traction like the tires on my bike are an extension of my body. I’m fortunate to live and work in a place where we find passion everywhere.