If anything, over the past year I have come to realize that I am as determined, persistent and stubborn as I ever was as an athlete. I am starting to believe that it is just a part of my make up and will forever be what drives and inspires me. I love that I challenge myself and set ambitious goals even off the slopes. Maybe it is my naivety or maybe it is what people call ambition but whatever it is, I feel inspired and motivated by it. I honestly never thought that I would find something that would challenge me in the way skiing did, but I believe that I have and now I am so excited to step up and embrace this new adventure.
At the beginning of September I was accepted into the MBA program at Imperial College in London, England. It is a true honour that this prestigious and influential school has decided to take a chance on me. It has been a long and grueling process – it definitely wasn’t handed to me on a silver platter. I have been tested intellectually in ways I never dreamed of and have had to humble myself and push myself in ways I never thought possible. The application journey took almost 14 months and in that time I was tested with exams, essays and interviews. There were many ups and downs, doubts and questions yet at the end of the day it was all worth it. Like skiing, you often learn the most when you are overcoming obstacles and hurdles; when your body and mind are pushed beyond what you thought were your limits. I learned about patience, asking for help and trust. Isn’t it a bit ironic that I probably should have had more of that while I was an active ski racer but the again, if I learned everything then, what would be exciting about the future. I have never felt so academically stimulated as when I walked into the Imperial Business School and felt inspired and excited for the new journey and path heading forward. As hard and demanding as the application process was, the actual program is going to be on a whole other level and I am sure it will take the word “challenge” to a whole new level.
My classmates are going to be the most diverse group of people that I have ever had the pleasure of working with – it is going to be the most amazing opportunity to learn from others and open my mind to the diversity of our world. Every student will have his or her own story and journey and each will bring something to the table. It is going to be fascinating to learn about different cultures, countries, life experiences and work experience. There is no “norm” in London and I think that it is a really powerful experience to surround oneself in an environment like that. Although the city is massive and may seem daunting to some, I am truly excited to be a resident there. I am fully ready to embrace the organized chaos that London has to offer.
I already have a great group of friends and family in London, which I am sure will help with the transition of moving there. Chemmy Alcott, whom I skied with on the World Cup circuit is a great friend of mine and has already started showing me the ropes of London. Erin McEachren, also lives and works in the city and will be my temporary flat provider upon arriving in London. We skied on the National Junior Team together almost 15 years ago and now we meet again in England - such a small world. I am starting to think that London is one of the social hubs of the world. I have yet to decide whether it is the fish and chips paired with a big cider, the amazing castles and history or the tea and crumpets that draws the throngs of people but whatever it is, it creates an amazing atmosphere of diversity and culture.
I have found myself drawn to London for many years. I remember as a child going there is being in awe of London and the infamous double-decker bus. Later it became a second home for me when I didn’t have time to come all the way back to Canada. The British schools are world-renowned and I am thoroughly excited and honoured at being accepted into the family. This will be one of the most challenging years of my life but I am ready for a new adventure. This journey will be filled with many unknowns and obstacles but then again that is exactly what sport was all about – I have just changed from relying on my body to relying on my brain!
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