CURRENT MISSION

To finally update my Couchsurfing profile... haha....

To race the Canada Ironman in July 2018 and Canadian Death Race 125km trail run the week following. My ambition is to qualify for Ironman world champs, so my life is literally, "Eat, Sleep, Train, Repeat!" at the moment! I'm really excited about some upcoming races in 2018 which will allow me to travel this beautiful country of South Africa!

ABOUT ME

I grew up in Winnipeg and lived in Vancouver BC for 6 years, as a yoga teacher, babysitter, and avid cyclist. After highschool, I attended college for 2 years and completed a diploma in Culinary Arts and Design, moved to Vancouver and completed 200 hours of Yoga Teacher training, immediately followed by specializing my training in Prenatal yoga. I studied Natural Nutrition before accepting a job as a yoga studio manager, then began serving on the board of directors for a NGO called The Shanti Uganda Society.

At some point, I decided I would travel the world (or some of it) by bicycle. Between 2010 and 2014, I traveled across Canada and down the east coast of the US to New York City; Cape Town to Cairo; and Vancouver to Guatemala City. In between I lived on an island for a while and studied bicycle mechanics, eventually landing in Cape Town again to work on a development project in one of the townships.

I had big plans to continue cycling around the world, but something about the youth with whom I was working, the captivating beauty of South Africa, and falling in love with the trails and sport...well... it's been 4 years now and I don't plan on running away just yet!!

PHILOSOPHY

Love. Breathe. Connect. Be present. Eat well. Go for it. Do it NOW!!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I mostly surf! I have couch surfed with many incredible people across Canada, the US, Mexico, Central America and Africa. I've also had the opportunity to show a few couch surfers around my town and have been grateful to connect with locals in cities I've visited, even if I didn't join them as a surfer.

I have yet to live in a place where I am able to offer a couch, but am looking immensely forward to being able to host in the future when I do! I try and connect friends/travellers I meet with Couch Surfing, or to specific hosts. Long term, my vision includes a special place for CouchSurfers, official and non official, wayfaring strangers, and kind people looking for a safe and loving place to stay.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Surfed in various cities across Canada, the US and Africa. Choosing Couch Surfing (over hotels, motels, etc) enriched my travels beyond explanation and I am still friends with many of the hosts and surfers I've met throughout the years. Now and then I do choose to stay at a backpackers, but feel like I can really appreciate a new place so much more when I can connect with locals and Couchsurfing hosts!

Interests

Yoga, biking, nutrition, tattoos, swimming in the ocean, cooking, baking, sustainable living and farming, eating, mingling with new people, books, documentaries, love

• cooking
• triathlon
• yoga
• running
• cycling
• trail running
• swimming
• travel
• travelling
• mountain biking
• biking
• learning
• nutrition
• ironman
• cooking and baking
• ultras
• ultra running

Music, Movies, and Books

Books: The Life of Pi, The Secret Life of Bees, Lamb, Anatomy of the Spirit, Freakonomics

Music: Xavier Rudd, Trevor Hall, Mishka, Bob Marley, Lily Allen, Corinne Bailey Rae, Ani Difranco, Ben Harper, Regina Spektor, Michael Franti, Serena Ryder, Theivery Corporation, The Weakerthans

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Fell in love. With a person. With a city. With a mountain. Oh who am I kidding, it happens all the time!

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach you yoga, help you design an exercise program, how to fix a bicycle, or show you how to make some delicious and healthy meals! I can show you how to ferment foods and make probiotic soda or home made cheese.

At one point, I could speak fluent Spanish and French, so would love to practice if you want to brush up on those languages! Since moving to SA, I've picked up a little Afrikaans, although it is very rusty. Keen to learn if you are keen to share a broken, hilarious conversation!

What I Can Share with Hosts

Stories about travelling. Conversation over good food, wine, coffee, or all three!

Countries I’ve Visited

Botswana, Canada, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, United States, Zambia

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, South Africa

•