From Passion to Business: How One WAS Alumnus Built a Sustainable Outdoor Brand
Last month, in our blog How to Turn Your Love for Bikes into a Career, we explored how turning your passion into a career can lead to incredible opportunities. Today, we have the perfect example of how you can use the knowledge gained from a program to fuel that passion. Patricio Zorrilla, a proud alumnus of Whistler Adventure School and someone I had the pleasure of teaching in multiple Marketing Media Manager courses, has done just that.
Patricio’s passion for biking and the outdoors has not only taken him on countless adventures but has also inspired him to start MonkeyLion Outdoor, a sustainable clothing brand specializing in outdoor gear and comfortable bike wear.
MonkeyLion Outdoor is all about sharing the love of outdoor adventure, offering high-quality, eco-friendly apparel designed to last. Patricio’s brand is focused on creating an inclusive community that embraces sustainability while connecting with the beauty of nature. Whether you’re enjoying a relaxing afternoon by the campfire or pushing your limits on a mountain trail, MonkeyLion’s gear is designed to be there with you every step of the way.
Below, Patricio shares his personal experience of moving from Mexico, studying at Whistler Adventure School, and living in Whistler—a journey that opened his mind to new opportunities and ultimately led him to create his own thriving business. His story is a testament to how passion, education, and community can come together to shape your future. We’re excited to share his words with you!
My passion for the outdoors and adventure has taken me to so many incredible places, and Whistler Adventure School (WAS) has been one of the richest experiences I’ve ever had. My name is Patricio Zorrilla. I grew up in Mexico, but I now consider Whistler to be my second home, thanks to the inspiration, relationships, and experiences I gained while living in that amazing town.
I’ve always had the drive to start my own business, and I wanted to create something that would unite the outdoor community in Mexico while encouraging people to explore the incredible places our country has to offer. That’s how MonkeyLion Outdoor was born—a clothing brand focused on making the apparel industry more sustainable and raising awareness about the vast waste this sector leaves on our planet.
Being born in a developing country, it can be difficult to see beyond the opportunities that present themselves day to day. MonkeyLion Outdoor is all about looking past the routine and striving for something greater. Living in Whistler opened my eyes to how a community can work together to create fun, enriching experiences in the outdoors.
I was struck by how deeply engaged the people of Whistler are in their community and how it’s become such a vibrant place to live, largely due to that community involvement. WAS has a unique insight into this mindset, and my time there was invaluable in helping me shift the way I view outdoor culture in Mexico. In the end, it’s a win-win for everyone, because we get to enjoy and challenge ourselves in healthy, fun ways.
One of my favorite things about WAS was how they guide you towards embracing the “Whis-life.” The classes were fantastic, and I learned many useful things, but the real magic was in getting a job and fully immersing myself in the local life. Working as a mountain bike coach in the bike park became a major source of inspiration for me. The interactions I had with clients, as well as the lessons I learned from my supervisors and colleagues—who were great examples of true outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen—shaped my vision for MonkeyLion Outdoor.
All of these experiences came together to inspire me to change how we approach outdoor activities back home, find my ideal customers, and create a way for my community to engage in building a better playground in our own backyards. Starting a business isn’t for everyone. Sometimes you have free time, and other times you’re working the hours no one else wants to.
Making clothing for sports is particularly challenging, especially when you’re as picky as I am. It’s hard to know when a product is ready to sell because the smallest details matter. Some customers just want a good price, but our ideal customer is someone who values quality—someone who will put thousands of hours into our gear in tough conditions. Finding that customer isn’t easy, especially in a country where outdoor culture is still developing. But that’s what MonkeyLion Outdoor is all about: taking on the challenge of making outdoor sports more popular in Mexico.
Patricio’s story is a perfect example of how following your passion, combined with the right education and community, can lead to incredible success. His journey from Whistler Adventure School to launching MonkeyLion Outdoor in Mexico is both inspiring and motivating for anyone looking to turn their love for the outdoors into something meaningful. Patricio has taken his experiences and the skills he developed at WAS to build a brand that not only serves the outdoor community but also contributes to a more sustainable future.
If you’re as passionate about outdoor adventure and sustainability as Patricio is, I encourage you to check out MonkeyLion Outdoor. You can explore his range of eco-friendly, adventure-ready apparel on his website at www.mnkyln.com, follow him on Instagram at @monkeylionoutdoor, or connect with his community on Facebook at MonkeyLionOutdoor. It’s inspiring to see where his passion has taken him, and we can’t wait to see what’s next for MonkeyLion.