When I think about my journey as a professional snowboarder, I realize it’s been about much more than just carving lines through fresh powder or landing that perfect trick. Snowboarding has been a way for me to push my limits, step outside my comfort zone, and grow in ways I never imagined. But beyond the thrill of the sport, my life has been shaped by challenges that have tested my resilience in ways far beyond the slopes.
Snowboarding has always been a passion of mine since I was a teenager. From the moment I strapped into a board at 9 years old, I knew this sport felt different than anything else I had tried and alongside the action sports-like-minded community was where I belonged. It’s a sport that demands everything from you—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Over the years, I’ve pushed myself to achieve goals that once seemed impossible, like landing the first double backflip in both the park and powder. These accomplishments are more than just milestones in my career; they’re reminders of what’s possible when you’re willing to push past fear and embrace the unknown.
But as much as I’ve loved snowboarding, it’s been the challenges off the snow that have truly tested my resilience.
Losing both of my parents to cancer was a heartache that I still carry with me every day. Watching them go through their battles with such courage and grace left a profound impact on me. It taught me that life doesn’t always feel fair, but it’s how we respond to these hardships that defines who we are. Their strength in the face of such adversity became my source of inspiration, pushing me to keep going even when life felt overwhelming.
And then I was hit with my own diagnosis of breast cancer. Hearing those words was like having the ground pulled out from under me. Suddenly, the world I knew—filled with snowboarding, adventure, and endless possibilities—shrunk down to the immediate and terrifying reality of fighting for my life.
But here’s the thing about life: it constantly pushes us outside our comfort zones, whether we’re ready for it or not. Cancer became another challenge for me to face head-on, just like I approach a difficult terrain on the mountain. The amount of time I had spent in the mountains prior to my diagnosis, gave me so many tools to help me navigate the mental and physical sides of being a cancer patient. I knew that to get through breast cancer, I’d have to dig deep, trust in my strength, and lean on the incredible support of my family, friends, and the snowboarding community.
Going through treatment and recovery was hard, but it was during this time that I learned some of the most valuable lessons of my life. I realized that resilience isn’t just about enduring; it’s about evolving. It’s about taking the hardest experiences and using them to grow, to become a better version of yourself. And it’s about recognizing that we all have the ability to mentor and support others who might be facing their own battles.
Now, more than ever, I’m committed to using my platform to uplift others. Whether it’s through mentoring young snowboarders, advocating for equality opportunities for women and athlete moms, speaking up about cancer awareness, or simply sharing my story, I want to show that resilience is within all of us. Life will always have its challenges, but it’s how we choose to face them that truly matters.
Snowboarding has taught me to embrace the unknown and to find strength in vulnerability. My journey has been far from easy, but every twist and turn has shaped me into the person I am today. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that resilience isn’t just about surviving—it’s about thriving, evolving, and lifting others up along the way.