Millions of TV viewers know Gert Boyle as the “one tough mother” from the Columbia Sportswear ads.

What many people probably don’t know is how active and vibrant the 83-year-old exec really is.

She took over the company when her husband died suddenly at the age of 47. Under her leadership, Columbia has evolved into a $1.2 billion public company.

The feisty TV Star and author of “One Tough Mother: Success in Life, Business and Apple Pies” explained to Growing Bolder what it was like in the early days for a woman to run a major sporting goods company and why she thinks the TV spots have resonated with people across the world.