Pro-Kiteboarder, CEO, Speaker, Educator, Speaker, La Ventana, Mexico

Multitasker doesn’t even begin to sum up Ms. Sensi Graves. With so many main and side gigs, Ms. Graves is a go-getter who keeps on reinventing herself with the multitude of skills she has developed over the years. The main gig I’m talking about is Sensi’s kick ass kiting career. This woman is not only a pro rider, but she is passionate about spreading my favourite sport to other women and girls through her women kiting camp initiatives. When we met, I could tell that Sensi is a great listener and is very perceptive. These skills are essential for her current passion project.

Source: Sensi Graves’s image archive and @ericduranphoto

When it comes to professional athletes, I’m always interested in where they take their careers as time goes by and as their interests evolve. As a competing kiteboarder, Sensi took advantage of having access to fit and active women and beautiful locations and developed a brand of sensible active/swim wear. You know, the kind that allows you to do a Front Mobe or the Nuclear Grab with you board, without losing your top or pants in the process.

She also realized that many women were looking to her for advice on what it took to compete and be a woman in a male-dominated space. She listened and realized that she had the ability and drive to reach others, and inspire women in particular. I’m personally impressed by her goal setting, her positivity and ability to connect. I also hope to one day join one of her famed all-women kite camps, where female kiters take on the waves and learn a trick or two from pro-kiters Sensi Graves and Colleen Carroll. I am also personally ‘testing’ one of Sensi’s swimsuits (not sponsored nor gifted by Sensi) so will be able to give an unbiased feedback on performance on a kiteboard and a surfboard. Stay tuned.

1. Name

Sensi Graves

2. Where is your hometown?

Originally from Leggett, California. Now residing in Hood River, Oregon.

3. What is your profession/career/title/self-label/designation? What does your average day look like?

I am a professional kiteboarder, founder of a swimwear company, educator and speaker. I spend my days creating content to empower women in watersports and help them have more confidence.

Typically, I wake up, make a cup of hot water with lemon and sit on the couch while I journal and meditate. Then I workout, have breakfast and settle into my home office for work on my swimwear brand, or work in my mentoring or kite coaching business. Then I break in the afternoon for some time on the water, either kiteboarding or winging and finally end the day with a yummy dinner cooked by my fiance!

4. What did you study in school?

I originally had the intent to study aerospace engineering but quickly figured out that that wasn’t the right path for me. I ended up getting a degree in communications, a far-cry from engineering and much more up my alley.

5. What was the journey like to get where you are (in life and career-wise)? Write about some of the achievements that you are most proud of. What was the breakthrough moment for you (in your personal life and/or career?) that set you on the current path in life?

I learned how to kiteboard in 2007 and in 2009 heard about a summer job as a kiteboarding coach in North Carolina. I was a junior in college and quickly jumped on the opportunity. During that Summer, I fell deeply in love with kiteboarding and living at the beach. Little did I know that that Summer would shape the entire trajectory of my career.

After graduation, I moved back to NC to continue coaching. It was during that time that I started ruminating on starting a swimwear line. I was in a bathing suit every day and the swimwear on the market was not very good. It fell in one of two camps: either functional or fashionable. I wanted both! I was 23 and wanted to look good and feel confident in my suit but I also wanted it to perform really well.

A few years later, in January of 2012, I launched Sensi Graves Swim, a cutting edge sustainable swimwear line for kickass women. It’s our mission to empower women to feel good in their bodies and to develop the confidence they need to go out and experience life to the fullest.

My professional kite career and swimwear brand grew together simultaneously. I started traveling around competing in kite competitions and soon found myself with a sponsor and opportunities to participate in photoshoots and create content.

I was lucky in that both of my careers, the kiting and the swimsuits supported one another. However I struggled with feeling like I was good enough at either. During kite competitions, I would be answering customer service emails, soliciting sales with shops and doing accounting. I never felt like I was enough.

It wasn’t until last year that I had a revelation around my work and my career. It was the end of 2019 and I was doing a “decade in review”. I pulled out my journals, notebooks and albums from the last decade and started listing out everything I had accomplished. I noted everything I was proud of, everything I had learned, everything that I had done. I pulled it all out. As I was looking at the past 10 years, I was suddenly struck in the chest by this feeling. I was proud of myself. In reviewing everything that I had done, I felt a total upwelling of pride. I burst out crying and in that moment realized-- I had never let myself be proud of myself before that moment.

It was an entirely visceral and emotional experience. Today it’s my mission to help other humans feel that way and I speak and teach on confidence, self-belief, self-love and feeling proud of who you are and what you’re doing.

6. How is your life different from what you pictured at 20?

I never pictured myself becoming a professional kiteboarder. At 20, I had really just learned to kite and was just about to graduate college. I remember scanning job listings and feeling totally uninspired to sit in an office all day. I had the entrepreneurial bug and knew I wanted to pursue starting my own business, but I really had no idea how that would manifest.

7. Was there a time when life knocked you down or out and how did you get back up on your feet?

Oh yes, I’ve been knocked down a lot in my life. When I was 16 years old, my mom died of breast cancer. She was my support system and my most ardent cheerleader. I lost her before my inner cheerleader had a chance to develop. That in combination with dealing with verbal abuse throughout my childhood led me to struggle with confidence and belief in myself.

It took me a long time to learn how to love and accept of myself just as I am and more importantly become proud of the woman I am today.

8. Advice for other women?

Stop being so hard on yourself. As women, we often hold ourselves to impossible standards-we try to be the “perfect woman”, doing all the things. But the perfect woman doesn’t exist and in constantly comparing ourselves to her, we are consistently bombarded with feeling not enough or not worthy. Feeling like we’re not good enough is a terrible affliction and leads to not showing up fully in our power. It also leads to a degradation of our confidence and therefore our self-love and compassion.

My biggest piece of advice to any woman reading this is to just start to notice the words you tell yourself, the thoughts that arise and the negative gremlin that’s sitting on your shoulder. In simply starting to notice, you’ll be able to shift those thoughts and replace the negative gremlin with a rockstar cheerleader.

Feeling like we’re not good enough is a terrible affliction and leads to not showing up fully in our power. It also leads to a degradation of our confidence and therefore our self-love and compassion.

9. Knowing what we know now in a current political climate, can women be "all that we can be" in today's world? What is the way forward, as you see it, for "feminist values"?

I believe the way forward for feminist values is a reclaiming of our confidence and our self-love. I believe our individual purpose in this lifetime is to show up fully in who we are, in every moment and not hide behind, be embarrassed by or beat ourselves up for expressing who we are. I believe that the way forward is letting go of comparisons, stopping the judgements and accepting and supporting others in their life choices.

**10. Where in the world do you feel “tallest” (i.e. where is your happy place)?**
I feel tallest, when I’m playing outside--whether that be hiking to the top of a mountain or riding swell on the river.

11. What extracurricular activities/hobbies are you most proud of? Why?

I’m most proud of my recent hobby of tennis because I feel so alive and engaged on the court. I grew up playing basketball and volleyball and therefore my hand-eye coordinate is really good. I’m also really fast. Tennis allows me to apply these skills and it’s been totally fun to learn a new sport. I also have zero attachment to how I look and so it allows me to have a lot of fun!

12. What do you want to be when you grow up? Future goals/challenges?

I want to be a world-class inspirational speaker! I want to inspire, uplift and empower.

13. What fears are you still hoping to overcome?

The fear of not doing or being enough.

14. Anything you'd do differently, if you had another go at life?

No regrets baby.

15. What inspires you?

Confident and conscious humans. People that show up and play full-out. People that try their best.

16. What are you hopeful about?

The many awesome and rad and inspiring people that live on this planet.

17. What are some ingredients to a good life? Has the global pandemic changed your perspective about the world, about your life, your goals and dreams?

Ingredients for a good life are fresh air, moving your body, time with loved ones and gratitude. Lots of gratitude.

The pandemic really just shed a light on how privileged I am. I own a beautiful home in a beautiful town with a yard and plenty of access to outdoor recreation. During lockdown, I couldn't imagine being shut-up in an apartment or not able to enjoy the outdoors. I really felt so privileged and so grateful for all that I have.

18. What are (at least) three qualities you most love about yourself and why? What are your superpowers?

I love my positive outlook on life. I love my enthusiasm and joy. And I love my desire to grow.

My superpowers are remembering where things are. And not sweating the small stuff! I also have some pretty sweet dance moves.

19. What advice would you give your 14-year-old self?

Don’t be afraid to invest in yourself. You are the best investment you can make. By that I mean, don't be afraid to spend money on YOU--learning new things, acquiring new skills and leveling up. You are the greatest investment you can make and you will make more money. Don't worry about the money, honey. Invest in YOU.

20. What are you reading now? (what books do you gift most and what are your favourite reads?)

I love reading! Right now I’m reading The Queen’s Code and The Greatest Salesman in the World.

My most gifted book is You are a Badass by Jen Sincero. Some of my favorite reads include The Fifth Agreement, The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight, Untamed, Ishmael, and Start with Why.

21. Who is a WOW WOMAN in your world who inspires you and why? Can you nominate three (or more) women you know who perfectly fit WOW WOMAN description? What would you tell them, if you had an opportunity, why you admire them?

WOW Women in my world are Jen Jones, Liz Bohannon and Colleen Carroll. I’m inspired by Jen’s tenacity, enthusiasm, design knowledge and how she constantly spreads love wherever she goes. I’d tell her that she’s a light in this world and that she gives the best hugs.

I’m inspired by Liz’s ability to stand up for what’s right, for her value of education and for her drive to empower women. She’s also whip smart. I’d tell her that she’s an amazing speaker, a genius at building community and a force of nature.

I’m inspired by Colleen’s care for others, her spirit of send and how she always follows through with what she says she’s going to. I’d tell her that her support means the world to me and that she’s a queen.