Jason Mezey

Founder and Owner at Routes Outfitter.

Originally from the Denver area, he grew up riding and tinkering with bikes. A young master at disassembling and reassembling…just to discover how it all worked. He dove into skiing for his first time at age 8 and then on to snowboarding primarily in high school and from then on.

Later after high school, he spent some time working at a well known ski shop in southeast Denver (A side-gig to his punk band dreams. Lost dreams eventually). Learning the skills…sort of paying the bills…he pressed on from shop-life into the “real world” of construction work.

Married in 1999 to Kristin Mezey…and living the adventure ever since. 4 awesome kids (ridiculously athletic) deepen that adventure every day. The Mezey family spends much of their time together out and about in the youth sports world - from soccer to swimming to DH racing.

Besides serving as the head mechanic and general manager for Routes, he also spends quite a bit of time in the non-profit world serving in a position at Young Life - a global youth focused organization dedicated to being in relationship with young people, loving them deeply, and introducing them to Jesus.

He’s built a house for his family (for real!), spent 8+ years in construction, over 15 years working for 2 major global nonprofits, finished an Ironman 70.3 and many other century rides, running events, and mountainous adventures, and spends thousands of hours as his kids’ primary cheerleader.

He most of all loves being part of the community of outdoorists in Colorado Springs and beyond, and believes that the outdoorist mindset is one of community, compassion, conservation, and wellness at its core. An outsider of sorts from the norms of popular culture. A ROutsider.

Routes Outfitter has been a passion business since day one, and he hopes it continues to grow as an influential and impactful business in the outdoor industry. It’s about kindness in the end…and insanely cool gear and equipment to help move everyone to be outside and well.

Running My Very First Mile

Remember in High School when they made us run a mile for Gym class? Well…that’s the way I remember it at least. I walked it. I received a passing score too because most human beings in their youth can walk a mile under 13ish minutes.

And…

That’s what I did…barely.

It wasn’t until I was in my early 30s that I actually got out and ran (and I do mean ran) a full mile. The first time, I did it in about 12 mins.

And…

It was awesome!!!

It was amazing to accomplish something that really was a thing I always wanted to do, but never applied or disciplined myself to do…or let myself do.

Because…

I had “exercise induced asthma”. It’s what the pediatrician said when I was young. He said it was why I became short winded when I ran.

And…

I chose to smoke cigarettes for so many years before my 30s…destroying my lungs and deteriorating my body with the poison.

And…

I didn’t think I had the time or the right stuff to do it right.

But…

When I ran that first mile ever…I moved beyond those things. And I let my body decide after my mind pushed it a bit farther than it was comfortable with.

And…

I ran more miles…and built longer distanced bases…and kept running for years after.

And…

I ended up participating in an Ironman 70.3 when I turned 40. It was brilliant. Not fast…but brilliant.

And…

That very first mile was the hurdle. It was the mental block I had to overcome to get farther. It was the thing that my mind had to say - “absolutely, without a doubt, I’m gonna frickin’ do it” - to.

And…

I think my first shoes only cost $25 dollars.

And…

I walked out my front door and ran around the neighborhood.

And…

It only took a mile.

And…

That mile was awesome. It was the mile I never ran…before running my first mile. There are many other first miles I hope I keep pressing forward to run as well. They’re worth it.

Hardest run I’ve ever done.

So grateful for the support to finish this one. Me in the center with friends on both sides.

"Here"...En Route.

Hi.

My name is Jason Mezey…and I launched and own Routes Outfitter (with my wife).

20+ years ago I thought I was going to be a punk-rock star. That route never panned out. I’m okay with that.

Every route from there has barely made sense. From High-School Dropout (I did eventually graduate) to Construction Tradesman…to Not-for-profit Ministry Marketing Leadership, it’s been an interesting journey.

Regardless, it’s been a journey that created the Route to “here”.

And where is “here”?

“Here” is simply the “next turn” or “next segment” on a Route that likely won’t end for quite a bit longer (I hope).

“Here” is gratitude for the wonky realness of every adventure before.

“Here” is recognition of people and circumstances that mattered in shaping me En Route.

“Here” is contentment in being a husband and father to amazing human beings.

“Here” is knowing God the Creator through Jesus, who IS deep, deep love and grace. (ask me about it sometime)

“Here” is celebration of wellness and outside…and activities that compel us to embark on even more Routes to find better or deeper versions of ourselves.

“Here“ is an idea that a store and business can be a part of community as a place for kindness, compassion, and really fun stuff.

“Here” is Routes Outfitter…the next segment that hopefully doesn’t “make sense”…but brings huge impact to everyone that it touches.

“Here” is where I am glad to be…En Route to all the great things to come. :)

Here we go…