You co-founded the Ladies Shred Society. Could you tell me a bit about that?
Well, I was wanting to create some sort of an all women's event/movement and found the right fire to get it going. It started small and continued with organic momentum. It's an all women's camping adventure experience... where we surf and snowboard all in a day's work. And then camp together by the fire, drink wine, create content, talk story. And plan the next one ;)
Have you always wanted to start a crew like this? Or is it just something that happened organically?
Yes - I always wanted to start something. I wasn't sure what though. I knew I was passionate and motivated by all women's groups, events, activities, specifically in sport. Looking back at my upbringing I attended all girls summer camps, my Dad would bring me to all women's mountain bike races to show me YOU can do that too!, I went to an all women's college - allowing me to be nurtured and grow up in multiple environments I always felt free to be myself and had so much opportunity to CREATE myself. I didn't realize that connection to my upbringing so closely related to how my path has unraveled today. Kinda awesome! (Thanks MOM & DAD :)
What does success mean to you?
Living PRESENT. Living fully each day. Knowing BALANCE! Working hard but PLAYING hard too! (Are we really here just to work all the time so we can pay our bills? That doesn't really sound fun) Feeling fulfilled by your work. To me it would be working for myself eventually. Creating my own schedule so I am free to explore.
Do you have a mentor or Idol?
I look up to all the other women who are out there leading a pack, a tribe of their people... it takes courage and it's so empowering to see others do it. It's honestly what made me want to start something on my own.
What is the weirdest thing that has ever happened to you?
I guess the weirdest thing would be the way the universe has conspired in my favor multiple times. It has really allowed me to help find my faith in the way this crazy universe works. Every time it happens I find it so strange and then feel like later I am able to reflect and have that aha moment where I'm all... all right universe... I see you <3
Tell me one Michaela fun fact.
I am left-handed and I used to be a ballerina!
Do you have a favorite surf spot?
SanO - before sharknado!! I LOVE Rincon in Santa Barbara too :) I had a magical session there once - I was really down about something. And I just went out solo and surfed my woes away.
What are the principles and values that you believe are important to live by?
Loyalty, honesty, LOVE, compassion, OPEN MINDEDNESS - treat others that way you wish to be treated! Love that one!
What does it mean to have courage?
TEAM GSD (Get SHIT Done!) It means to DO. to LIVE. to BE. to live PRESENTLY and FEARLESSLY. And take RISKS. Dream BIG. Accept that people will laugh at you and think you're crazy but you can't care what they think - you have to know deep down if YOU believe in YOU and YOU put your mind to it you CAN do anything you wish... you just have to stay strong mentally in order to accomplish your wild and crazy dreams. And trust me I've got a LOT of them :)
What do you like more. The mountains or the ocean?
I think I would have to say the ocean. But this is a tough one for me... The ocean is a bit more grounding to me. I grew up on 13 miles of coast in NH so that is a pretty unique thing... I was a beach babe born and raised. The mountains were always weekend adventures and getaways. Opportunities to unplug and live immersed into the GREEN. It's SO green back home where I'm from - it gives me such a peace of mind and disconnect. Which I do not get enough of out here so honestly it can be uncomfortable to me at first. I do think the beach is where my heart and soul feel the most grounded and connected.
Is there anything you cook or bake really well?
I LOVE to cook - right now I am actually assisting a private holistic chef as kind of a side hustle so I am learning a lot about healthy foods. I LOVE cooking and eating healthy! And baking a little bit now too! Most recently, I baked some dairy-free gluten-free cupcakes for my boyfriend's birthday. He's not dairy-free or gluten-free so I realized that decision was a bit selfish ;) But I went through all the efforts of making these "healthy" cupcakes and then I added crushed up Oreos to it... defeating the purpose of the "gluten-free" part haha! Oh well :) They were still a hit.
What does it mean to be strong?
Confidence. Mental strength. Not giving a FUCK what other people think! (I am SO guilty of this!) Also being able to conquer amazing athletic feats to me shows such beautiful strength. Yes, it's physical, but it's SO mental too.
What inspires you?
Other women who do rad shit. Camping - being in nature, COLOR!! SURFING!! Surfing with people who can surf way better than me, or snowboarding with people who can snowboard way better than me! I love surrounding myself with people who I strive to match in strength, skill set, gives me something to set my sights on and chase after. I want to be able to do that too! All women communities, gatherings. Photography! Breathtaking dramatic landscapes. California! EUROPE! Oh Europe. Traveling :) FASHION! So Much... I could keep going...