Kiteboarding School Manager, La Ventana, Mexico

1. Where is your hometown?

I am bit of a nomad and it is hard to say where my hometown is. I spend my winters in Baja, my summers on a lake on Vancouver Island and the time in between I travel.

2. What was the journey like to get where you are (career wise)?

I manage Elevation Kiteboarding, a kiteboarding school that follows the wind and has two teaching locations: La Ventana, Baja and Nitinat Lake, BC. Before trading my heels for flip flops, I worked for an architectural firm in Vancouver. My career aspiration was to work in the field of design and when I saw my dreams fulfilled, I was disappointed that what I was doing was nothing like I had imagined. When on holiday three years ago, I decided to make a life change and choose to live my life for me and not for a career. When I returned home from that trip, I quit my job, packed my bags and went to learn how to kiteboard. In the process, I became the manager of a kite school and now share my love of the sport with others.


3. Biggest accomplishment since making a move?

Happiness - living life without stress.

4. What was the greatest disappointment and plan to overcome it?

I am disappointed with myself that my Spanish is still terrible after living in Mexico for two years. This Spring, I will be walking the Camino de Santiago de Compostela in Northern Spain. I am hoping that after a month, I will have a more expansive Spanish vocabulary and maybe even be able to conjugate some verbs.

5. Advice to other women?

My advice to anyone, is to not have your life ruled by stress. My life is far simpler and much richer than when I was following societal norms. Choosing yourself, is the best non risk that you will ever take because the rewards will far out weigh your fears of the unknown.

6. Where in the world do you feel “tallest”?

I feel tallest when I am surrounded by my friends and family. The best group of cheerleaders that any one could ask for.

7. What is the future goal/challenge (career goals in 5-10 years)?

I haven’t completely turned my back on design and plan to buy land in Mexico in the next few years. The next steps would be to design and build a future homestead.

8. What fears are you still hoping to overcome?

I have a fear of heights and might convince myself one of these days to go skydiving.

9. What inspires you?

I love architecture and nature! A beautiful building or a majestic setting turns my crank and gets the creativity juices flowing.

10. Where can others find you/your work? (links to websites, blogs, etc)

www.elevationkiteboarding.com
instagram: Freethespace