Introducing the Outdoor Pro Collective: Pros Supporting Pros

Dana Kent
11 hours ago
3 min read

PARTNERSHIP LAUNCH • SEPT 2026

Dana Kent Coaching × ACL Strong

The Outdoor Pro Collective: Whole-Person Support for Industry Professionals.

Guiding outdoor careers with enduring resilience. Dana Kent Coaching LLC has joined forces with Dr. Leslie Desrosiers and ACL Strong to launch the Outdoor Pro Collective (OPC)—a transformative alliance built on one foundational ethos: Pros Supporting Pros. Outdoor Pro Collective brings together the expertise of Dr. Leslie Desrosiers, founder of ACL Strong, and Dana Kent, founder of Dana Kent Coaching, to help outdoor industry employees build the physical, mental, and professional strength needed to thrive in demanding careers. Built around the belief that outdoor professionals deserve the same preparation and support provided to traditional professional athletes, Outdoor Pro Collective offers proactive training, education, coaching, mentorship, and practical resources designed for the realities of seasonal and physically demanding work. Dr. Leslie brings the physical-performance and injury-prevention component to Outdoor Pro Collective. As a doctor of physical therapy, strength and conditioning specialist, and the founder of ACL Strong, she helps outdoor professionals develop the strength, mobility, and physical resilience required for their lifestyle. Outdoor industry employees lift, carry, climb, ski, ride, respond, and make critical decisions in physically demanding and unpredictable environments. Yet many begin the season without access to the preparation and ongoing support they need to succeed. Through Outdoor Pro Collective, Dr. Leslie provides step-by-step practical training and accessible education that helps employees prepare for a stronger season, understand their individual physical needs, and reduce the risk of preventable injuries. “Most people think knee pain and torn ACLs are just part of the lifestyle,” said Desrosiers. “But these injuries can actually be avoided with the right exercises. The truth is, people need more than just generic strengthening — they need a progressive neuromuscular training strategy that focuses on movement quality and body control. Helping people feel better, avoid injury, and get more years enjoying the outdoors is a real passion of mine.” Dana Kent brings the emotional and career development component with nearly 30 years of outdoor industry leadership and field operational and safety experience to the collaboration. Having worked with approximately 30 mountain resorts, Dana understands the pressures facing outdoor industry employees, supervisors, and organizations—from the physical and emotional intensity of the work to the challenges of building sustainable careers in seasonal environments. As the founder of Dana Kent Coaching, Dana coaches and mentors women working in outdoor industry operations and advises organizations on leadership development, psychological safety, belonging, employee retention, and the advancement of women. She is a former president of the Intermountain Ski Areas Association and a former Health and Safety leader with Vail Resorts and has worked extensively with resort leaders, ski patrol teams, snowsports professionals, and women in traditionally male-dominated operational roles. Today she builds spaces of belonging for women in the industry whom can often face additional challenges that their male counterparts do not experience. Dana’s work helps outdoor professionals strengthen their confidence, leadership capacity, self-awareness, and resilience while giving organizations practical tools to create healthier and more supportive workplace cultures in an ever changing environment. “Outdoor professionals are incredibly skilled at taking care of guests, managing risk, and supporting one another,” said Kent. “But they are not always given the time, tools, or permission to care for themselves. We want to help people build careers and lives that are strong, healthy, and sustainable—not simply make it through another season.” Together, Dr. Leslie and Dana address the whole person behind the outdoor professional. Their complementary expertise connects physical readiness and injury prevention with mental resilience, leadership development, psychological safety, and career sustainability. Through training, education, expert-led conversations, and an ongoing professional community, Outdoor Pro Collective meets employees where they are and provides tools they can realistically use in their work and lives. With its guiding message, “Pros Supporting Pros,” Outdoor Pro Collective is creating a proactive model of support that helps outdoor professionals build stronger bodies, more fulfilling careers, and healthier lives—throughout the season and beyond.

Explore The Collective

Rugged mountain ridge during morning light.

Portrait of Dr. Leslie Desrosiers medical professional outdoor specialist

Pillar 01 • Physical Longevity

Injury Prevention & Body Resilience

Led by Dr. Leslie Desrosiers (founder of ACL Strong), providing proactive musculoskeletal training, biomechanics education, and practical conditioning designed specifically to keep guides, athletes, and field professionals working sustainably season after season.

Portrait of Dana Kent business coach outdoor professional leadership

Pillar 02 • Mental & Career Strength

Leadership & Psychological Safety

Led by Dana Kent (founder of Dana Kent Coaching), focusing on emotional endurance, leadership mastery, mentorship, and psychological safety for women and all outdoor practitioners navigating high-risk, high-demand environments.

Live Virtual Session

Join the OPC Discovery Call

Meet Dana Kent and Dr. Leslie Desrosiers for an open discussion on sustainable outdoor careers, whole-person mentorship, and upcoming fall programming.