The first moment I got on my own bike
that was when I realized, "oh my gosh, I love this, I don't want it to end."
I don't know, there was something really liberating
like I can go anywhere with this bike.
I didn't realize at the time that that epiphany was going to hold true.
I decided I wanted to do this, like I wanted to live.
Life moves really fast. BMX was like the throttle I needed.
So I plowed right through school, got my degree, saved up some money.
That's what brought me to Austin and all over the world
and I hope it never stops.
My plan worked out. I'm still riding, it's been 17 years.
When I'm on my bike, all I think about is the present.
It has taught me that I can really do anything I want to do.
I got into BMX at a really cool time.
When I first started, I didn't really have any female role models in BMX.
I don't know where women's BMX would be honestly without Nina.
She's been doing zines like Emerald Nation and Yeah Zine
organizing contests
and I had known who she was because she was the
first ever sponsored female BMX rider.
For me, just sticking with it and earning the respect of the guys early on
I think that really helped me stick with BMX
and not really worry about what anyone around me is saying or thinking
or what I think they're thinking.
I think we're all guilty of letting other people get in our head
and holding ourselves back because of it.
So just remembering that it's my way to release
that really helped me stick with it.
My style of riding isn't limited to one style of riding.
It's just wherever I'm at making the most of wherever I am.
Whether it's trying something new, riding stuff in both directions
Just catch as much air as I can.
You're in charge of you rown development.
Really there's no program, there's no one there telling you
like, "If you're riding for one year you have to know all of these tricks."
it's just at your own pace.
Any time any of my friends come to visit me
and they're coming from a normal daily grind
and they see what life here in Austin is like for me.
I do my best to try to encourage them to pursue their passion
and let them know that the way I live is pssible too.
She just always goes above and beyond to bring people together.
She'll always like reach out to them
and just really make everyone feel included.
She really has the greater good in mind always.
I think one of the reasons I'm sitting here right now really is because
I've been able to help support so many other people.
I think that's kind of how I roll
being everyone's cheerleader. It kind of gets me hyped too.
I think just constantly giving really comes back to you.
I really see a lot of great things happening for girls' BMX
and I'm really happy that I can be a part of it
and keep pushing for more things to happen.
and just like ride their hearts out.