What does it take to raise a kid who’s willing to do scary things?
When professional mountain runner and world champion Grayson Murphy was four years old, she climbed to the top of a 30-foot diving platform and jumped. Not long after, her dad took her and her twin sister down a black diamond ski run, despite their tears and protests.
For Grayson, those experiences weren’t just about adrenaline. They helped shape a lifelong confidence in her physical abilities and a willingness to try things that scare her.
In this episode of Raising Wild, Ashley talks with Grayson about growing up in an adventurous family in Utah, the freedom she and her sister had to explore independently, and how her parents helped her develop confidence by allowing her to take risks, make mistakes, and occasionally fall.
They also explore the distinction between physical courage and anxiety, the value of unstructured outdoor play, and how becoming a mother has Grayson thinking about the kind of childhood she wants to give her own daughter.
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Growing up in Utah with active parents, a twin sister, and plenty of outdoor adventures.
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Jumping off a 30-foot diving platform at four years old and learning to ski on a black diamond.
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How Grayson’s father encouraged her to face her fears and trust her abilities.
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Why being physically fearless doesn’t necessarily translate to being free from anxiety.
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The importance of developing skills and confidence alongside exposure to risk.
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Why learning how to fall can be just as important as learning how to succeed.
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The freedom of riding bikes, exploring neighborhoods, and playing outside without constant adult supervision.
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How unstructured play shaped Grayson’s childhood, even as she participated in competitive sports.
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The challenges of knowing when to step in as a parent and when to let kids figure things out.
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What Grayson hopes to pass along to her daughter, Violet, as she grows up.
A few moments from the conversation
A 30-foot leap of faith. When Grayson was just four years old, she climbed a 10-meter diving platform and jumped into the pool below. Her dad was waiting in the water, confident she could handle it. The lifeguards were considerably less enthusiastic. The family was warned that another jump would get them kicked out of the pool. For Grayson, it became one of many early lessons in trusting her abilities and doing something even when it felt scary.
Learning to fall. Grayson credits much of her confidence on technical mountain terrain to being allowed to fall, get back up, and figure things out as a child. Her parents weren’t constantly telling her to be careful. Instead, they gave her opportunities to learn what her body could do and how to navigate physical challenges independently.
The difference between fear and anxiety. Despite her confidence navigating steep trails and challenging terrain, Grayson has openly discussed living with anxiety. She explains why physical risks feel manageable to her while uncertainties about the future can be much harder to navigate.
The freedom to just be a kid. Grayson and her twin sister spent hours riding bikes around their neighborhood, exploring outside, and inventing their own games. Although they played organized sports, their parents limited how many activities they participated in, preserving plenty of time for unstructured play. Those unsupervised adventures remain some of Grayson’s favorite childhood memories.
Raising the next generation. Now a mother to her daughter, Violet, Grayson is beginning to think about how she’ll carry those childhood experiences forward. Her hope is to raise a curious, independent child who feels free to explore, try new things, and understand that being scared doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try.
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About Raising Wild
Raising Wild is a podcast from Wild Idea Media, hosted by Ashley Arnold, about what wild places build in us — and what happens when childhood drifts too far from them.
Every other Wednesday, Ashley talks with writers, scientists, educators, leaders, artists, athletes and parents about childhood, nature, freedom, risk, resilience and the wild, capable kid in all of us.
Together, they explore how time outside shapes us into more capable, curious and connected people. And why the wild places that made us who we are are worth paying attention to, caring for and protecting.
About Grayson Murphy
Grayson Murphy is a professional runner and world mountain running champion known for her success across mountain, trail, road, and track running. A former collegiate soccer player who discovered competitive running in college, Grayson has built a career competing at the highest levels of the sport.
Beyond racing, she’s been open about her experiences with anxiety, injuries, and the mental challenges of professional athletics. She lives in Utah with her husband and their daughter, Violet.