Alumni Award News

From working construction to gardening and running rivers (rafting) in Alaska, Katy Jackson ’02 knows how to live her life as one big adventure. Her home, located at 7,500 feet in Utah’s Mt. Air Canyon within the Wasatch Mountains, is only accessible by snowmobile in the winter. With her doctorate in physical therapy (she practices part-time) and her first child expected this spring, Katy tops it all off by owning a business with her husband, Ben Johnson. Called 2nd Tracks Sports, their business specializes in extreme and mountain sports equipment sales. It’s fair to say that Katy lives life to the fullest.

Katy and Ben opened 2nd Tracks Sports as a small gear consignment shop in Salt Lake City in 2009 because, as outdoor enthusiasts, they were frustrated with the expensive costs of gear, particularly for biking and skiing. The business name reflects their mission: “The Mom and Pop shop’s goal has always been to recycle people’s unused/​unwanted quality gear and get it into the hands of someone who will really use it and appreciate it.” 2nd Tracks has since expanded to sell new gear and they’ve added two more locations in Utah—Ogden and Orem—in addition to an online store. They maintain prices at or below wholesale value, and are committed to changing the way gear is bought and sold. “2nd Tracks Sports has a co-op community feel,” said Katy, emphasizing, “we have a great staff—I attribute a lot of our success to them.” For anyone starting their own business venture she recommended, “Put time and effort into establishing a solid team of people around you who can help with day-to-day problem solving.”

Katy ran track and was an All-Conference First Team selection for cross country at Thornton Academy. When she looks back at her high school days, she remembers her coaches and teammates the most. “One of the things instilled in me [at TA] was trusting my instincts and being confident in following my heart.”

Katy and husband Ben are living out their dreams in Utah.