As a professional athlete I depend heavily on the support of my community. In return, I put an extremely high importance on giving back to it. As an Olympian and as an athlete, it's my goal to share my experiences, expertise, and ideals of a healthy lifestyle with those around me.
I moved to Anchorage in 2004 because I sought a great ski town - one where the local paper covered endurance sports, where I could live two blocks from a ski trail, and where people recognize roller skiers as athletes training rather than an obscurity! My passion is to share my love of sports, particularly winter sports (XC Skiing!) with my community and to empower folks to find enjoyment in winter months. Beyond skiing and Alaska, I hope to instill excitement and purpose into sharing the values of exercise, nutrition, and life-long health.
Here are some of the projects, movements, and volunteer things I've been involved in recently:
I moved to Anchorage in 2004 because I sought a great ski town - one where the local paper covered endurance sports, where I could live two blocks from a ski trail, and where people recognize roller skiers as athletes training rather than an obscurity! My passion is to share my love of sports, particularly winter sports (XC Skiing!) with my community and to empower folks to find enjoyment in winter months. Beyond skiing and Alaska, I hope to instill excitement and purpose into sharing the values of exercise, nutrition, and life-long health.
Here are some of the projects, movements, and volunteer things I've been involved in recently:
- Ambassador for Fast and Female; empowering girls with confidence and leadership skills through cross country skiing
- Serves as a "Healthy Hero" for the Anchorage Healthy Futures Program; promoting and instilling healthy habits into the youth of Anchorage.
- Produced and was featured in 10 How-To Cross Country Ski videos for the Anchorage Daily News - free instruction from the privacy of ones' own home for general public consumption
- Frequently serves as a guest speaker in local schools - assemblies, honor role induction ceremonies, physical education classes, etc.
- ARISE: Alaskan Runners Inspired to Succeed and Excel; bringing running and love of a healthy lifestyle into Title 1 Elementary schools.
- Participates in October Fairbanks on-snow camp open called, "First Tracks" open statewide to young skiers.
- Donates clinics, equipment and time to many non-profit auctions and causes that I believe in annually
- Delivered key note speech at Junior Olympics, 2010
- Featured on Alaska Public Radio, KSKA, 91.1
- Coached Team Alaska at Junior Olympics for 5 years including last year directly after the Olympics – choosing to fulfill my commitment to the kids rather than going to compete in Europe.
- Serving as Head High School Ski Coach at West Anchorage HS 3 years (While not entirely volunteer I did make $3/hour!)
- Worked as an avid volunteer for the Bonny Sosa Tuesday Night race series. My husband and I were in charge of “cleaning the courses” for three seasons + I set courses
- Conducts free, instructional clinics for the community
- Frequently speaks at various events including rotary luncheons, on behalf of the Anchorage Nordic Ski Association, etc.
- Blogged for Athleta "CHI" blog - articles used to empower female athletes
- Served as "guest athlete" and honory starter for the Alaska Run for Women, 2010 - an annual Breast Cancer Research run
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