I get asked a lot why I love the sport of Biathlon and how I got started, so I thought I’d share with you a bit of how it all began…

I first started cross-country skiing when I was six years old as a Jackrabbit at the Canmore Nordic Center. When I was too old for Jackrabbit’s, I joined a program a little closer to home, at Canada Olympic Park. This program was called “Girls With Guns,” where I first learned how to skate ski and shoot.

A short while after, I entered in a Calforex Cup in Central Alberta for my first race. That weekend happened to be an extremely cold one making it difficult for me to even finish the race. Despite my unsatisfying result of last place, I was determined the next day to push myself to achieve something better. With that determination, I was able to earn my first podium finish in air rifles. From then on I fell in love with the sport.

Biathlon continues to challenge me, pushes me to go beyond my limits, and motivates me to accomplish things I thought were impossible. Every time I go out to compete, I get goose bump moments! The elements of sport inspire me to become a better athlete and person, providing fundamental skills that are not only useful on the race course but also translate into valuable life skills that can be applied for the rest of my life.