Prelude: a childhood in motion
In 1979, Stéphanie Michellod, née May, enters the world as the first note of a melody destined to resonate deeply. With roots in Sarreyer through her father, she grows up in Épalinges, navigating between the peaks of Val de Bagnes and the rolling landscapes of the Vaud region. The daughter of two educators, she is raised in a nurturing and inspiring environment, where every day feels like a new note in a symphony of freedom. Her childhood memories unfold like harmonies of adventure: caravan vacations, cycling escapades, winter weekends at the family chalet in Château d’Oex, and summers spent exploring the Valais mountains. These early notes instill in Stéphanie and her brother Lionel a profound love of nature and a vibrant passion for exploration and effort.
A youth of harmony and polyphony
Stéphanie’s youth is orchestrated around the intertwining themes of sport and music. At just five years old, she steps into the rhythms of piano lessons and choir practice, eventually advancing to the conservatory. Through each harmony, she balances artistic expression with physical challenges. Growing up in an environment rich with opportunities, she seizes every chance to add new movements to her daily symphony, embracing sports like skiing, gymnastics, volleyball, and more. After earning her high school diploma, she begins studies in sports and history, laying the foundation for her vocation: sharing her passions with younger generations. Her teaching career starts at a college in Montreux before taking her to the Bagnes secondary school, where her enthusiasm and infectious energy inspire her students every day.
Intermezzo: the call of the mountains through love and friendship
It’s not mere chance that brings Stéphanie to Bagnes but a hidden melody revealed through friendship and love. During holidays at the chalet des Prayemonts in Sarreyer, Stéphanie joins a lively group of mountain enthusiasts, discovering the peaks through ski touring adventures. Together, they forge lasting bonds, their camaraderie echoing in the high-altitude landscapes. With friends Aline Bruchez, Mélanie Fellay, and Marie Troillet, she even wins the Petite Patrouille des Glaciers in 1998 and 2000—a testament to her perseverance and teamwork. Within this circle, she meets Jean-Yves Michellod, the man who will become her husband. Their story unfolds as a duet of love, sport, and solidarity, exploring mountains and sharing a mutual passion for cycling. It is Jean-Yves who introduces Stéphanie to road biking, and together they conquer France’s most iconic mountain passes, each climb infused with a shared rhythm and cadence.
An allegro disrupted: when life changes key
On March 12, 2006, a tragic accident strikes a dissonant chord in their lives. During a ski descent in a Mont-Fort couloir, Jean-Yves, a passionate extreme skier, suffers an accident that leaves him paraplegic. Their daughter, Elsa, is only three months old, newly arrived in their lives. This event changes the score of their existence, but love and resilience transform this discord into strength. Stéphanie, steadfast and courageous, supports her husband with a mix of tenderness and determination, facing each day with quiet fortitude. Together, they bend but never break, like reeds swaying in the wind. Their family grows with the arrival of Chloé and later Robin, creating a joyful quintet brimming with laughter and discovery. Their story becomes a lesson in humility and resilience, where each new chapter is a testament to unwavering love and strength.
In harmony: family, sport, and commitment
With boundless energy, Stéphanie masterfully conducts her life between family and teaching. As a mother, she nurtures her children with deep affection, encouraging them to explore the world with curiosity and enthusiasm. As a teacher, she instills her passion for sport and her drive to open new horizons for her students.
Her influence extends beyond the classroom, resonating throughout the local sports community. At the Ski Club Val Ferret, a Nordic skiing club, she serves as a coach and later as the youth program leader, infusing the club with new vitality. She transforms the demanding sport into a playful adventure through games, agility courses, and an atmosphere of positivity. As she accompanies young skiers to competitions, her supportive guidance motivates them to excel, her approach a gentle yet determined improvisation—a melody of encouragement and care.
After stepping back from her role at the club, Stéphanie embraces a new challenge. Driven by her passion for sharing and learning, she trains as an avalanche rescue dog handler, a role that reflects her dedication to solidarity and teamwork. Each training session or mission becomes an intense and fulfilling moment, requiring precise effort, rhythm, and collaboration with her loyal companion, Buddy.
Crescendo: the voice of the mountains
In parallel, Stéphanie takes on the direction of the Mountain Guides’ Choir, a commitment that begins as a temporary role but extends for over a decade. Each rehearsal and performance becomes a shared note with free-spirited guides, their voices returning from the mountains to join hers in harmony. These musical experiences weave bright memories and moments of rare intensity, whether during masses, funerals, or celebratory gatherings.
Interlude: A new chapter – Happy Sport
Today, a new chapter unfolds for Stéphanie and Jean-Yves as they embark on a joint venture. Stéphanie, sensing that her teaching career would not be her final destination, embraces an opportunity to take over Happy Sport in Le Châble. Together with Jean-Yves, she channels her characteristic enthusiasm into this new adventure, blending their personal touches into every aspect of the store.
More than just a business, Happy Sport reflects the life they’ve built together—a story of challenges, resilience, and shared passions for sport and the mountains. Each visitor experiences their warmth and expertise, discovering an inspiring space rooted in their remarkable journey.
Coda: A life’s courage, an eternal melody
Stéphanie Michellod, a virtuoso of her own life, composes a story brimming with boldness and brilliance. Her journey is that of a woman who, at every turn, has transformed challenges into opportunities, infusing her life with vibrant energy and positivity. Today, her smile and determination shine brightly across the Val de Bagnes, like a refrain of hope resonating with everyone she meets.
