Beyond the Algorithm: Where growth begins 

Shaine Ebrahimi arrived in Aspen in December 1995 with the sense that life could be lived differently. He left behind a structured, “coat-and-tie” world in Houston in search of something less predictable and more alive. What followed was a series of reinventions shaped by curiosity, community and a willingness to step beyond the edge of his comfort zone. 

Three decades later, that instinct has settled into something closer to a philosophy. 

Bryan: Let’s start at the beginning — how did Aspen become home? 

Shaine: I came here for the mountains, the skiing, the adventure. But it was more than that. There’s a culture here, a sense of community and just a richness of experiences. I had been living in Houston, working in real estate development, and I knew I didn’t want that life. When I came to Aspen, it just made my soul sing. I knew this was where I wanted to be.

Bryan: And you’ve managed to make it work all these years — which isn’t easy. How did you do it? 

Shaine: I wore a lot of hats. I started in real estate, then became a massage therapist. I worked at Channel 16 as a weatherman. I did sound and production. Eventually I started hosting a live weekend show at Grassroots TV. What I loved most was pulling people’s stories out — because everybody has a story. That was the thread through all of it. 

Bryan: That’s exactly what we’re doing right now. 

Shaine: Exactly. And that’s what inspired me to create my own show, “Life on the Green Side.” I traveled around Colorado, across the U.S., even into Canada, filming stories about renewable energy, sustainability and healthy living. This was a time when people were starting to really think about how we treat the Earth. 

The goal was to inspire people — to get outside, to take better care of themselves and to recognize what a gift nature is. 

Bryan: That’s a profound mission. 

Shaine: It is, but I’ve always felt like that’s part of why I’m here — to brighten people’s lives. I didn’t always know what that would look like, but over time I realized it’s not about anything big or dramatic. It’s about how you show up every day. One act of kindness, one smile at a time. 

Bryan: Where does that outlook come from? 

Shaine: I’ve always had a love for people and for experiences. I was born in Maryland, but I spent a big part of my childhood in Iran — from about age 4 to 12. Being exposed to different cultures at that age really shaped me. I’ve always been fascinated by people — how they live, how they think. 

And that’s one of the things I love about Aspen. You get people from all over the world coming through here. It’s a gift to be part of that mix. 

Bryan: How did you go from all of that into paddleboarding? 

Shaine: I got introduced to river running and just fell in love with it. We’re so fortunate here — the Roaring Fork, the Crystal, the Colorado. Then one day I saw someone paddleboarding downriver and I thought, what is that? 

I got a few boards and just started taking people out — sharing the experience. At first it was a hobby, but I realized pretty quickly it could become something more. I started designing boards that were better suited for rivers, testing them, refining them. But for me, it’s never been about ego. It’s about creating something that gives people an experience they want to come back to, something that connects them to the water in a meaningful way. 

Bryan: You’ve used this word — Shaboomee. What does that mean? 

Shaine: Shaboomee is about moving beyond the edge of your comfort zone. When you’re in your comfort zone, everything feels safe. But growth happens when you see something just beyond that edge — and you choose to go for it. In that moment, when you push through, you become completely present. You’re not thinking about anything else. You’re just there. And when you’re in that state, there’s this openness — this flow. That moment — that’s Shaboomee. 

At first I thought it was just physical — like running a river or doing something extreme. But I’ve come to realize it’s everything. It’s emotional, intellectual, spiritual. Anytime you push past what you think you’re capable of, that’s where growth happens. 

Bryan: That feels like a pretty good metaphor for life in Aspen. 

Shaine: It is. Living here requires that. You have to be willing to work hard, to adapt, to try new things. But what you get in return is extraordinary. 

Bryan: So what advice would you give to someone thinking about moving here today? 

Shaine: If the mountains are calling you, don’t hesitate. Just go for it. You’re going to have to work hard, but you’ll make it work. And what you’ll experience here — in terms of community, adventure and quality of life — is unlike anything else. 

Life is too short not to pursue the life you really want to live. Even if it’s not forever, you have to try. Otherwise, you’ll always wonder. 

Bryan: And what does it take to actually stay here long-term? 

Shaine: You have to love nature — that’s number one. You have to make time to get outside, no matter how busy you are. You need balance. You have to be willing to work hard, but also play hard. 

And you have to stay open — open to change, open to new experiences, open to people from all walks of life. That’s one of the most beautiful things about this place. It doesn’t matter where you come from or what you have — we’re all here for the same reason. 

Aspen has a way of revealing who you are — and who you’re willing to become. For Shaine Ebrahimi, it’s never been about arriving at a final version of either. It’s about staying in motion, staying open and continuing to step just beyond the edge. 

Because, as he sees it, that’s where life really begins. 

Bryan Welker lives and breathes business and marketing in the Roaring Fork Valley and beyond. He is President, Co-founder, and CRO of WDR Aspen, a boutique marketing agency that develops tailored marketing solutions. Who should we interview next? Reach out and let us know bryan@wdraspen.com.