What inspired you to pursue the sport initially, and how did you stay motivated through challenges?

I’ve been riding bikes since I was quite young, though initially it was only as a means to train for ski racing. After moving on from skiing in college, I started riding longer and more frequently and fell in love with the feeling I had on the bike. I decided to start competing in 2022 and found a lot of joy and success in gravel racing.

What are your goals for  2025?

My main goals for the year were to perform well at Unbound and Leadville. Achieving podiums at both was more than I could have dreamed. My final goal of the season is to win the Lifetime Grand Prix overall.

What’s your favorite race and why?

Leadville, for sure. I love training and spending time there, and I view the race itself as the ultimate challenge: the course profile, the elevation, and the distance make it one of the hardest races out there.

How did your upbringing shape who you are today?

I grew up in the Adirondack Mountains, where being outside and exploring were ingrained in me from a young age. That mindset really shaped my approach to life–I value a good adventure over almost anything!

How do you stay motivated during long, grueling training sessions or races?

My goals motivate me. Whether I am actually pursuing that goal in a race, or training to put myself in a position to achieve my goal, it is helpful to remind myself why I am doing what I’m doing. 

What has been your biggest setback, and how did you overcome it?

My biggest setback has been overcoming the knee injury and subsequent severe arthritis that I sustained while ski racing. It took time, patience, and finding an entirely new sport before I was myself again. 

What role does mental toughness play in your performance, and how do you cultivate it?

I think it’s huge. When I am out on hard training rides, I am always aware that I am training myself mentally as much as I am physically. When the pain cave is a familiar place and I know how my mind and body will respond, I am less afraid to put myself there in races.

What has being an endurance athlete taught you about life outside of sport?

It has mostly given me perspective on what a true privilege it is to be able to go through life as a bike racer. 

What piece of new technology or equipment could you no longer imagine living without?

My Garmin!

What advice would you give to someone who’s just getting started?

Make training as fun and fulfilling as you can.

Who are your heroes or role models in sport (or outside of it)?

Jessie Diggins and Mikaela Shifrin

What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from a loss or failure in your career?

My failures have motivated me as much or more than my successes. Almost every significant leap forward I have made has followed a bad race. Recognizing failures as opportunities to grow makes them less painful to deal with.

What is one habit or routine you believe has contributed most to your success?

Prioritizing rest and recovery.

What’s your “kryptonite”? 

I am very particular about my schedule and how I spend my time going into a big race. Sometimes managing obligations in the days leading up to a race is difficult for me and can throw me off.

Do you listen to music or podcasts when you train? If so, what is your go-to playlist or podcast? Does it change on intervals vs. easy endurance? 

I listen to the occasional ski racing podcast, but otherwise I stick to the sounds of nature.

Are you superstitious when it comes to race days and/or key interval sessions? What are those superstitions?

If I have been having a lot of good workouts on one bike, I will gravitate toward that one for my next hard workout. Conversely, if I fail some intervals on one bike, I will take a different one the next time I have hard efforts on the schedule.

What is your go-to interval session or segment that lets you know you are ready for a big event?

If I can nail a VO2 workout the week before a big race, I know I can feel confident for race day.