Hometown: Federal Way, WA Current Town: Salt Lake City, UT
In your own words, what is the mission of SheJumps? I believe that SheJumps gives women the opportunity to step out of their comfort zone and excel at the activities they already love, in a fun and supportive environment.
How does this resonate with you? I cannot begin to describe the impact that SJ has had on my life in the last three years. Countless number of my friends are women I have met through SheJumps and they are not only brave and adventurous but also so incredibly intelligent and worldly. Through my connection with SJ I have tried so many things that I had never dreamed about and am a better person because of it.
Give an example of a “jump” you have taken? I have never been a traditionally athletic girl. Basically any sport found in a PE class I was terrible at, yet I’ve always been a strong swimmer. For about a decade I was a competitive synchronized swimmer (sequined swim suits heck yes) and later took up water polo. My sophomore year of college I decided to try out for the swim team even though I’d never really “raced” before. After the try out the coach said I was on the edge and to check back. I basically stalked him for the next week until he said “Ugh fine, I have no reason not to take you.” That’s how I became a division one NCAA varsity athlete. I was not great and certainly didn’t make the ACC Championships travel team, but I am still so proud that I was persistent and accomplished something I never thought would happen.
What are your personal and athletic goals for this year? I took up mountain biking two years ago and about a year ago I went over the handlebars and broke my arm. Shockingly in my 25 active years of life I’d never broken a bone and it was a real struggle, both physically and emotionally. This year a major goal of mine is to get back on that bike and be even better then I was before!