One of the bravest things you can do in life is be true to who you are. No matter what happens, the important thing is to be your authentic self. Some of us never find that person. But for some, it takes us on a journey and one way or another, we end up where we’re meant to be.
The difficult thing, of course, is when you don’t fit the mould or the ideals that others think you should. Feeling accepted is something that we all need in life. But when you face the extra challenges of people’s prejudices or the way that they think, especially when they aim those at you, it can be even more difficult.
Blake Hansen
Some people spend their entire life discovering who they really are, and what they’re meant to do. Blake Hansen knew early on. The hardest part? Acceptance.
Gnarly Nutrition
Mountain biking, for so many of us, it’s an outlet, a way to feel freedom away from it all. I recently heard something that has stuck with me, ‘you can’t be what you can’t see.’ We all need role models, or to be able to see ourselves in others. For Blake Hansen, as a trans athlete, she’s mostly had to figure things out on her own, but bikes helped her on that journey.
I may have different life experiences and challenges than the ‘regular’ person next to me, but that doesn’t make me any less of a human. No one is getting anywhere by putting others down, even if they think they are, so we should listen to and value each other’s life experiences.
Blake Hansen
The main thing we can all take away, aside from that bikes are wonderful, is that we should be kind. Each of us is on our own journey and it’s not always an easy one.
Related Content:
Women’s Progression Session: Highlights from Red Bull Formation
Midweek Movies: Rad Women of MTB
British Cycling Reveals New Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group
Singletrack Merch
Singletrack Sponsored Features
Behind The Design: crankbrothers New Shoe Range
crankbrothers have been working on a range of shoes for four years, and almost no one guessed. They’ve even been posting photos and videos of pros riding them for the past year, and this past season, there have been pro racers sat around in pits wearing them with no branding…
Featured Premier Partner
Pace Cycles Service Centre
The experienced specialists If it’s quality, unbiased and personal mountain bike suspension servicing you need to look no further. We’re all mountain bikers to the core and not interested in ‘talking up’ the work that needs doing to your suspension fork or shock. We are here to provide the best…
