1. Bio

Kite, wing and eFoil surfing instructor. Born in Portland, Oregon, she now lives on Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands. She abruptly changed course in 2020, when the concept of a settled life was so profoundly undermined by events relating to the pandemic. She embarked upon a journey, touching the ocean for the very first time and awakening with both a new set of eyes and heart. She discovered her passion for kiteboarding and the need to live as a nomad; she then kitted out her camper van and began travelling with her dog – from coast to coast – perfecting, one school after another, her water sports technique, until she became an instructor and female testimonial for these sports.

2. The power of dream

I owe my bravery to my dream. This doesn’t mean I’m not afraid – it’s healthy to be afraid, it keeps you alert. But it doesn’t have to be something that stops you in your tracks. Fears exist to give us the chance to discover what’s behind them, facing them makes us understand a great deal about ourselves. This is how a single decision turned my life around by 180 degrees: I was studying to become a nurse, I was satisfied with my path. The beach, the heat and the sun were nothing but a blissful dream. Then, for the very first time, I set foot in the ocean and I understood in an instant that I was ready to abandon all those certainties that I had defended for so long. This is the strength of a dream; it sees fear become a doorway to a new place, a bridge leading to a new success.

3. My journey into real beauty

It is a journey that begins just outside your comfort zone – as soon as you overcome the barrier, you perceive everything more vividly. For me, it was a journey that began inside that camper van: a nineteen-year-old solo female traveller, accompanied only by my dog. But it really was incredible to go back to basics, live day by day, be genuinely happy and discover just how strong, determined and capable I truly am. I left my safe place behind for a road I knew nothing about, yet nothing has ever been more wonderful than the way this got my heart beating. True beauty is discovering that – with the right mindset – we are perfectly built for everything and capable of writing new rules, where others see limits.

4. What I’ve learned and won’t let go

Being completely true to yourself is the greatest goal you can aspire to. This is where all the strength we need comes from. Never insist on doing something just because you think you have to. It is okay to change your life and if your dream lies in a male-dominated field, don’t let yourself be intimidated. The greatest achievements come when we see our fears as a challenge and not as an obstacle. There is a stigma that surrounds our ability to do certain things: let’s reject it, let’s follow our passions! Let’s re-write the rules, even if it means having to do double the work! This is the strength I dream of for everyone.