Annabel van Westerop
Professional kiteboarder
Annabel van Westerop lives on the paradise island of Aruba. Six years ago, she got in touch with a sport called “kiteboarding,” and she turned her passion into a career.
What motivated you when you wanted to quit?
As a professional kiteboarder, practicing becomes more than just a hobby. It can bring pressure, just like any other job. I’m definitely a perfectionist, and sometimes, it makes you forget the reason you’re doing it all. Whenever this happens, I sit down for a moment and remember why I started. The ocean, the freedom, the happiness that jumping and flying through the air brings me, the happy nerves during competition—and the list goes on. And now I think about how enjoying the little things makes the big picture so much better.
What challenge did you face and then kicked ass?
I genuinely never thought I would be able to beat the nine-time world champion during a competition in my first year in the world tour. After the final, I started cleaning up all my gear as I expected to have lost the final. To my very big surprise, I had beaten her, which meant that we had to go into a “super final.” I was so blown away that I completely messed up all my tricks. So I was second place after all, but I never had such a big smile on my face after losing a heat!
What’s your advice for women?
I compete in a men-dominated sport where it is often expected the women perform less than the guys. No way! We might not yet land all the tricks they do, but that does not mean our performance is inferior. So my advice is to always follow your dreams, and as long as you believe that you can do it, you will.
What do you swear by for staying fit?
I love superfoods! Maca, acai, and cacao are some of my favorites to mix through my fruit smoothies. I also make sure that I give my body everything it needs to perform well. I don’t believe in weight-loss diets, because with all the sports I practice on a daily basis, I definitely need sugars and carbohydrates as well.
ANNABELVANWESTEROP.COM
Photo: Caprice Winniman
Ramona Bruland
Freelance TV host/producer
Aspen, Colorado
Ramona Bruland, an Australian-born TV host and adventure enthusiast, presents lifestyle stories around the world, from Caribbean cruise-liner ports of call to winter preview shows. Between travels, she can be found exploring the wilderness and growing her nonprofit, Aspen Cares.
What motivated you when you wanted to quit?
While I’ve always been a highly motivated person, happiness has always been my greatest motivator. I don’t think of it as quitting when I make a conscious decision to not do something in life because it makes me unhappy. At one time, I thought I could do it all; however, I finally learned that by saying no to one thing I really didn’t need in my life, I was allowing the opportunity for another door to open. I try not to look at what I’m quitting or unable to achieve; rather, I choose to look at and acknowledge all the wonderful things in life I am able to do.
What challenge did you face and then kicked ass?
Back when I was in university, there was an impossible rock-climbing crux sequence that was doing my head in. Over and over, I attempted that move, but the next hold was always out of reach. So I was just going through the motions when suddenly my hand stuck, like Velcro! What I remember most about that moment was how I felt utter surprise. Everything all of a sudden felt so . . . possible.
What’s your advice for women?
Love and support the success of other women, but above all, don’t neglect yourself. Every day, find the time to do a little something for your personal health and wellness. No one will look out for you like you will.
What do you swear by for staying fit?
Vegemite! Stock up on vitamin B. A Mediterranean diet—fish, olive oil, and vegetables.
RAMONABRULAND.COM | ASPENCARES.ORG
Photo: Sean Smith
Gretchen Bleiler
Professional snowboarder
Gretchen Bleiler is a professional snowboarder and Aspen/Snowmass local. She’s a two-time Olympian, Olympic silver medalist, and a four-time X Games gold medalist. She’s an environmental advocate, entrepreneur, and cofounder of Alex Bottle. Gretchen teaches meditation as a tool for connection and peak performance.
What motivated you when you wanted to quit?
Ever since I was a little girl, I always wanted to go to the Olympics and be an Olympian. My desire was so strong that it literally dictated my everyday actions and decisions. I didn’t know how I was going to get to the Olympics, and in the beginning, I didn’t really care. And that was the best part, because my desire exposed me to so many different sports, and in all of them, I always dedicated my best effort because I knew that’s what it was going to take to become an Olympian.
What challenge did you face and then kicked ass?
For the past fourteen years, it’s been my job to push past my boundaries and do things I never thought I could do, which is why it’s been such a fulfilling career. It took me a full year of black eyes and a bruised and battered tailbone to learn how to do a crippler in the half-pipe. It was a trick that no one else was really doing, and it was scary! But I stuck with it, and one day, it finally clicked. The crippler has been my signature trick ever since, and it’s what helped me be so successful in competition.
What’s your advice for women?
Imagine if you could never fail. Imagine if the whole point of this experience on planet Earth was to just open ourselves up more fully to who we really are, without filters, without masks, without any restrictions. Imagine if the mistakes we made actually helped us to just become better versions of ourselves. I believe this is what life is about, and when we look at it this way, then there is nothing to be afraid of!
What do you swear by for staying fit?
I’ve been a vegetarian, I’ve been a Paleo, and now I believe in the everything-in-moderation diet. But here is my quick and easy advice: eat lots of fresh vegetables, drink water, exercise often, and meditate daily.
GRETCHENBLEILER.COM | ALEXBOTTLE.COM
Samantha Klanac Campanile
Dancer, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet
Aspen, Colorado
Samantha Klanac Campanile is a professional dancer with the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet. She is in her thirteenth season with this contemporary company and has toured all over the world representing their hometowns, Aspen and Santa Fe, in the dance world.
What motivated you when you wanted to quit?
A huge motivator in my life is remembering that what I get to do for a living is a privilege. A dancer’s career is so short relative to other art forms, and any day can potentially be your last in the studio or onstage. Sure, some days are harder than others, but just like any relationship in life, if you are present and gracious, you can get through anything.
What challenge did you face and then kicked ass?
I am still facing it! There is a particular piece in our repertoire that the company performs, and I happen to have a very hard, long featured part which I do not feel complete confidence in. We recently performed at a top venue in New York City, and for a year leading up, I lost sleep over the impending shows. It really forced me to learn how to dig deep and find confidence as well as learn new meditation techniques to mentally prepare myself. The shows came and went, and I truly felt I did the best I possibly could, and that is all you can ask for. We still are performing this ballet on tour in most cities we go to!
What’s your advice for women?
When we are fearful of what is to come, or fearful of how past events have shaped up, we are really stifling ourselves. There are so many unknowns in life, if we worry too much, then we miss out on today. We need to believe in ourselves and trust that, truly, everything will be OK.
What do you swear by for staying fit?
I am really conscious of drinking a lot of water. Always. I also am a stickler for supplements of all kinds as well as trying to eat lean protein, which doesn’t always come natural to me. I do supplement my rehearsal schedule with yoga and HIIT classes when appropriate, and on a beautiful Colorado day, there is nothing better than a hike.
ASPENSANTAFEBALLET.COM
Photo: Sara Forrest
Emily Carpenter
Cofounder of Vimana Yoga
Basalt and Carbondale, Colorado
Emily Carpenter, CMT, is a Synergy Yoga teacher, Yoga Asana Champion, volunteer, studio owner, and mother. She started teaching yoga in 1996 and opened the first yoga studios in Aspen, Basalt, and Glenwood Springs, Colorado, with her husband. They created four styles of therapeutic hot yoga for all levels.
What motivated you when you wanted to quit?
The greatest motivator and leveler in my life has been my yoga practice. It has taught me how to be a grown-up, follow through, give back, be compassionate, be a better mother, wife, daughter, sibling, friend, and just show up.
What challenge did you face and then kicked ass?
Before I had my son, I learned that I had previa and he was breach. When this happened, I felt so out of control. I decided to stay strong and kept doing the poses that help turn the baby. After several disappointing doctor’s visits with the same scenario, I realized that I was stuck on my birthing plan. I had judgments about how to have a baby that are not realistic for every woman. So I surrendered, let it go, and was willing to accept the outcome. All I really wanted was a healthy, happy baby.
What’s your advice for women?
When I retired from the championships in 2012, I had finished in fourth place in the international division, second place in nationals, and first in our state three years in a row. This journey not only helped me overcome my fears, it taught me discipline and perseverance. The biggest medals were the friendships that I still enjoy today.
What do you swear by for staying fit?
I practice yoga nidra to support my mental health and clear my mind space. I obviously swear by yoga for staying mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually balanced.
VIMANAYOGA.COM
Photo: Melissa McManus
Erica Allar
Professional cyclist, Colavita/Bianchi Women’s Pro Cycling Team
Tucson, Arizona
Erica Allar began riding bicycles in 2002 and has won two Espoir (under age 23) National Criterium Championships and multiple Collegiate Track National Championships representing The Pennsylvania State University. Since its inception in the domestic race scene in 2012, Erica has been the only female racer to win the National Criterium Calendar overall title.
What motivated you when you wanted to quit?
I was not raised in a family that was athletically driven. I found cycling after dabbling in gymnastics, soccer, and track and field. When I was younger, I never committed the time and energy necessary to be a competitive athlete. It has taken a lot of hard work and a great support system to help me develop into the cyclist I am today. I am driven and motivated by my curiosity of what I can achieve.
What challenge did you face and then kicked ass?
Tulsa Tough is the biggest three-day criterium event for women, offering stellar spectators and large prize purses. In 2013, during the first race, a crash sent me to the ER for sixteen stitches above my eye and several more in my knee. I was not confident that I would be able to continue. I was medicated to ease the pain of road rash and slept for fewer than four hours, but I knew I was one of the most physically and mentally tough women in the event. I was cleared by the doctor to race, and I chose to line up the following two race days. On the second day, I finished third by inches and I placed twelfth on the third day and most difficult course of the weekend.
What’s your advice for women?
Find what propels you internally. Live life with a level of tenacity that will enable you to seek out and own with confidence what drives you internally. Once you are fulfilled internally, everything you would like to achieve externally will follow.
What do you swear by for staying fit?
To stay sharp, fit, and healthy, I commit at least thirty minutes a day to me. Whether it be to exercise, read, nap, or reflect, I prioritize time for myself. I prefer to take my thirty minutes first thing in the morning with a great cup of coffee. It helps wake me up and sets the tone for a successful day.
CAREFORCYCLING.ORG | TEAMCOLVAITA.COM
Photo: Scott Kingsley
Langely McNeal
Pro skier and community director at Summit Series
Powder Mountain, Utah
Langely McNeal was ranked as the number-one female ski cross racer in the United States for the majority of her career. She was a member of the U.S. World Cup national team from 2007 to 2013, has competed in the X Games four times, and holds a national championship title.
What motivated you when you wanted to quit?
Belief in myself that I can accomplish anything I set my mind to, no matter how audacious or terrifying. For instance, at my first X Games in Aspen, I was one of the least experienced ski cross racers and felt that I was in way over my head. The jumps were the size of a house, and we reached speeds of around 65 mph while racing within inches of one another. But I calmed myself down by focusing on my training and all that I had done to be invited to race at the X Games. I ended up finishing in the top ten, which lead to me earning a spot on the U.S. World Cup ski cross team.
What challenge did you face and then kicked ass?
After failing to qualify for the 2010 Olympics, I gave up skiing for a job in corporate America. I realized shortly thereafter that I might have given up too soon. I definitely had doubts about whether I could return after being out of competitive skiing for over a year. But I pushed myself and trained harder than I ever had, which resulted in me having the best season of my life, including winning the national championship.
What’s your advice for women?
I believe we as women have high expectations for ourselves, whether it’s as a businesswoman, wife, mother, or athlete. We give a lot of our energy and time outward, but I think it is equally important to take time to focus on ourselves and do at least one activity each week to nourish and energize ourselves.
What do you swear by for staying fit?
I start every day with a green smoothie and oatmeal. I also eat frequent small meals to keep energized throughout the day. I diversify my workouts so they don’t become repetitive and boring. I believe sleep and hydration are two of the keys to staying fit, healthy, and energized.
Chelsea Bruland
Stunt coordinator, Stunts in Stilettos
New Orleans, Louisiana
Chelsea Bruland, born and bred in Australia, has a diverse athletic background which includes gymnastics and martial arts, leading her to a career as a stuntwoman. She is a stunt coordinator for blockbuster action films and works alongside some of Hollywood’s biggest names.
What motivated you when you wanted to quit?
I’m a female in a man’s world, and I’ve worked my butt off to get to where I am today. I’m fairly young for what I do, and I deal with the stigma every day that “chicks can’t do that.” Ultimately, it’s the satisfaction I get from climbing up the mountain and being at the top of my game that keeps me going. All the haters and naysayers will one day, if not already, be asking me for their next job.
What challenge did you face and then kicked ass?
While I am an adrenaline junkie, everything we do is a well-calculated risk, and every scenario and safety precaution is thought through carefully. One of my most nerve-racking experiences was early on in my career, when I was attempting my first car hit. Car hits are the ones I hate the most, because they’re so unpredictable. I was wearing a short dress, which meant no room for padding up my elbows or knees—yet another reason why stuntwomen are so much tougher than men!—and facing a car driving straight at me. Honestly, I don’t remember much of the stunt, but I do remember it hurt like hell! But after you pick yourself up, the medic’s given you the all-clear, and the crew applauds—some may call me crazy, but it’s worth it.
What’s your advice for women?
Don’t ever doubt that you can compete in a man’s world.
What do you swear by for staying fit?
Staying fit, healthy, and flexible is really important for stunt performers. I try to eat clean and healthy, but I’m also human and enjoy eating out, so I’m not super strict. I switch up my exercise regime constantly. My go-tos are a rotation between running, kickboxing, swimming, cycling, dancing, and yoga. Lately, I’ve been learning trick-riding on horses, Krav Maga—an Israeli form of martial arts—and getting some time in a wind tunnel to work towards my skydiving license.
CHELSEABRULAND.COM
Photo: Carl Nespoli
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