Six Star Magazine Six Star Magazine Spring 2018 | Page 35

When did you first start mountain bike riding? At about 14, I went
riding with my dad and brother; I was jealous because they did 24-hour
races together.
SIX
STAR
Q&A
HALEY
SMITH
with
BY MELANIE CHAMBERS
Professional mountain bike racer Haley Smith has
a knack for turning tragedies into triumphs. At the
2015 Pan American Mountain Bike Championships
in Cota, Colombia, the precocious 24-year-old
experienced mechanical problems and crashed early
on in the race. Yet, she picked herself up, dusted
herself off and recovered to win the bronze medal.
Clearly, her focus and resiliency has brought success
on the mountain bike—but it’s been a hard-fought
journey. Her experience with anxiety once presented
an obstacle, but Haley has since gone on to become a
respected mental health advocate for Cam’s Kids, an
organization that helps youth cope with the affliction.
Last year, the Norco Factory Team rider progressed
from domestic competitions (Ontario and Canada
Cups) to international World Cups, finishing third at
the nationals behind Canadian veterans Emily Batty
and Catharine Pendrel. As Six Star was heading to
print, Haley was preparing to ride for the Canadian
national team at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in
Brisbane, racing alongside 4,000 athletes from 70
different countries.
When did you know that you wanted to become a professional
mountain biker? It was gradual. Growing up, I always loved sport, but
there seemed to be a big disconnect from being a female recreational
athlete and making the jump to elite. I got an invite to race the World Cup
with the national team as a junior. I didn’t know World Cup existed until
I got that invite.
Who is the person in your life you most admire and why? My family. l
really lucked out. They really inspire me to be better.
Outside of your personal circle, which person alive or dead do
you most admire and why? Hermione Granger from Harry Potter.
I periodically have moments of real sadness that I’ll never be Hermione.
Growing up, that character was the first female I encountered who was
unapologetically herself.
When was the happiest time of your life? Right now. I’m riding my
bike and getting to travel and I don’t yet have the full responsibilities of
adulthood.
When was the saddest time of your life? The summer after grade nine
I was hospitalized for two months. I was a prisoner inside my head and I
couldn’t fix it no matter how hard I tried.
What do you consider to be your biggest accomplishment? I’ve been
selected to represent Canada at the Commonwealth Games.
What do you consider your biggest disappointment? In 2013, I raced
with a total focus on results. I was continually disappointed with myself.
What do you hope to accomplish in your career as a mountain biker?
I would love to go to the Olympic Games. But more than that, mountain
biking is a means to an end: I would love to see more girls participate in the
sport and see overall improved gender equality.
What’s on your bucket list, outside of mountain biking? Travel—
uncomfortable travel, not the five-star kind.
What is your most treasured possession? My pillow.
Where would you most like to live? A piece of me is in Ontario because
my family is there. Another piece of me is in Victoria because it’s the first
place where I lived fully independently.
What is the worst job you’ve ever had? I’ve only ever had one real job
before riding full-time—I worked at a golf course, but it wasn’t bad.
What’s on your playlist? Folk or acoustic, and country.
What does your daily training regimen look like? Wake around 7. Eat
the same breakfast: a big bowl of oatmeal with nut butter and fruit. On the
bike [at] around 10. Eat lunch at 3. A couple of times a week, I do a second
workout (weights or yoga). And, finally, 10 minutes of meditating using
the Headspace app.
How do you relax? Reading and Disney® movies.
What is your favourite food and drink? Earl Grey tea at least twice a day.
Raspberries. And Italian food.
What is the most important lesson life has taught you? Hard work
is important, but it’s only a piece of the puzzle. If you’re not happy or not
making time for the people who matter, then you’re just doing it wrong.
Tell us a secret. My thumbs are different lengths—by almost a centimetre!
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