Ms. Namita Nayyar: You started cycling in 1997 at the age of six, your brother raced and suggested that you try it. You were ignited and made competitive BMX racing your future career and reached the pinnacle of success by winning your 1st World Cup Victory in Holland during the UCI BMX Elite Women World Cup final in 2012. Tell us about your journey that took you to where you are now in the world of competitive American professional “Current School” Bicycle Motocross (BMX) racing and what factors you consider were
responsible that made you achieve that?
Ms. Alise Post: Like you said, BMX has been part of my life since the age of six. I hardly know life without a bike! However, it’s not the only thing I’ve ever done. I’ve always been very active. Growing up through the age of 18, I was a highly competitive gymnast as well as a sprinter/pole vaulter/jumper track & field athlete, and a perfectionist when it came to my school report card. All of these activities alongside all of my peers in a public high school in the small town of St. Cloud, MN, allowed me to have both versatile athleticism and a well balanced life.
I learned about teamwork, dedication and self discipline along with juggling a busy schedule. Although I left Minnesota and headed to San Diego at the age of 18 for school and year round training access at the USOC Chula Vista Olympic Training Center, I have maintained a strong support system from my Minnesota roots. That support and backing along with all of the new support I’ve added to my personal “team” out here in California has made this entire journey possible. I’ve had a lot of injuries and personal adversity coming up through the ranks, but by having access to world class facilities for training and/or sports performance year round, and being dedicated enough to myself and those that support me to give my best everyday, I am continuing to grow better each day and believe there is the opportunity for even greater international success in my future.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: You backed out of your first race at the last minute. You looked down the steep starting hill and couldn’t bring yourself to do it. After overcoming your sense of nerves the next week you were placed 2nd in your second attempt at racing. How could you overcome the element of fear in BMX racing as a sport?
Ms. Alise Post: Although it was so long ago, I can still remember that feeling I had looking down the start hill for my first race and just being overwhelmed with nerves and this worry of not wanting to get hurt. After that episode and then watching the other girls race that day, I remember being almost jealous of the other girls for being “tough enough” to race and risk crashing, and being mad that I was being a “scaredy cat”.
So, I opted to race the next week and got my first crash out of the way and realized it wasn’t so bad. I could still get up and walk away and the scrapes didn’t hurt nearly as bad as the emotions of failure. Ever since, I have been energized by the thrill of the competition and wanting to get the best out of myself. I still get scared quite often, but the feeling I get after conquering those emotional and physical obstacles drives me to keep pushing. I try not to ever let the fear of failure stop me from giving my best like it did when I first started BMX.
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