In America, so many people base their happiness on money. I grew up in New Zealand. Over there, a good life is not about how rich you are; it’s about appreciating the non-material things—a sunny day, good friends, riding bikes.

I don’t mean to act like money doesn’t matter at all. Motocross is an expensive sport. Bikes, parts, gas, travel, gear—all this stuff costs money. I am fortunate to be sponsored by Kawasaki. They hook me up with a bike and a parts allowance. But, the life of a pro female motocross rider isn’t all that glamorous. Let’s just say I’m never going to be a millionaire doing this. I have to find the money to travel to races, eat and pay for my gym membership so I can train.

I think growing up on the farm taught me how to work hard to achieve my dreams. There was always work to be done. My parents didn’t just give me bikes to ride. I earned them by doing stuff like feeding the cows or weighing the sheep. I would even rear my own livestock and sell them to make money. I never sat around playing PlayStation or watching TV. I was outside either helping my parents or riding my bike.

There is nothing like the feeling of getting something you worked hard for. I remember my first motocross bike that I got on my 11th birthday. It cost $800, which is nothing for a motocross bike. It was used and supposed to be white, but it had turned yellow from the sun. I didn’t care at all. I put new stickers all over it and a cool new blue seat. As far as bikes go, it was a piece of junk. In my eyes it was the best thing ever.

These days, I live in California, far away from the family farm in New Zealand. But, I still have to work hard and save to live my dream as a pro motocross rider. I work a full-time job, testing bikes every day. I have to get up before the sun to work out. I spend my weekends racing and training. I have to be disciplined with my time and my money. I can’t just go out to dinner or buy new clothes whenever I feel like it. I have to save up to make it to races and put gas in my bike.

You know, nothing in life is free. You can’t expect Mom and Dad to just dish out. As athletes, we make our dreams happen. Sometimes that means saving money to buy a new bike or whatever. Decide what you’re really passionate about and figure out how you can raise the money to do it. Can you baby-sit or get a part-time job? Remember, good things
come to those who work hard.

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