Women of Venus De Miles: Kristina

Venus de Miles is a lot of things – Northern Illinois’ first all-women’s road ride, a celebration of sisterhood, support for Greenhouse Scholars, and crazy fun – but one thing it’s not is a race. So, don’t be afraid to walk your bike up that hill, and, most importantly, enjoy yourself. Join us Sunday, July 28th 2013, for our second year in Chicago and put your pedal to the mettle. Or join our Bolder, Colorado ride on September 29th, 2013.

However, if you think that there is no way you can join the bicycle ride of this magnitude, nothing can be further from the truth. I’d love to introduce you to some faces that make Venus de Miles so unique.

Meet Kristina

She started her journey being 220 lbs and miserable. She knows firsthand what it means to be the big girl in a Tai Chi class, losing balance way too many times, but keep coming back to it week after week. It wasn’t enough to understand how to work out. She also beat her plateau by changing her eating habits. But this life transformation was only the beginning of something completely new. Kristina joined a Triathlon training group that made her feel that she can do anything. 5K, a mud run, a Triathlon.

After that came a personal training certification, a winter running group, a half marathon, a zombie run, training for a century ride, and an assortment of other races and events.

I rode Venus for the first time last year in Illinois. Initially my family was going to be out of town at the time of the ride, but circumstances changed , I felt lucky to have a chance and join the ride. I loved it! I had such a great time. The pre-ride yoga was great and the post-ride party and pampering were like no other athletic event I had been to. It was such a fun day! I was on a mission to get more of my friends involved in the next year’s ride.

After the event Kristina was looking for ways to get involved more and the answer came in a form of ambassadorship. It seemed like a perfect fit and she replied. She found herself surrounded by women who wanted to not only help other women, but to help other women’s children.

I saw an opportunity to use my own goddess skills to help promote this wonderful ride and grow a fun event, but to also spread my own wings and work with a phenomenal charity.

Since that time, Kristina has been fortunate enough to speak at two ladies nights and see first-hand how a group of women can inspire other women to be the best goddesses they can be. She has connected to people with like-minded goals who will create more growth opportunities for local women. It also came w great satisfaction of aligning with an inspirational charity, the Greenhouse Scholars.

I had always shied away from fundraising, but I have shattered my goal twice now. This just reinforces my belief that you create your own path. If you want something, you just need to do it. I amaze myself everyday. 2 years ago, I was inactive, and 220lbs. Now, I am a force that can’t be stopped!