SONYA LOONEY is a world class ultra endurance mountain bike racer who has recorded several high profile wins on the world stage. Her determination to succeed in whatever she does and her love for life are sure to leave you feeling inspired as she talks to us about her progression in the sport and how it has changed her life.

You can follow Sonya on Facebook at www.facebook.com/looneysonya, on Instagram @looneysonya, Twitter @sonyalooney and YouTube www.youtube.com/sonyalooneymtb. Her website is www.sonyalooney.com.

When did you first get involved in mountain biking?

Just before my 20th birthday. I was never a cyclist growing up; I identified myself as a tennis player, a runner, a musician, and school nerd! I randomly started mountain biking with some guys from work in Albuquerque. A month later, they convinced me to do a race and I was hooked! Little did I know at the time that it would completely change my life and how I viewed what was possible. It’s amazing to think that little decisions we make that seem inconsequential at the time can change your life in a big way! 

Who has been your greatest influence or inspiration?

I have had different influences at different times in my life. My first influences were my parents. My Mom’s insistence on always doing my best and never settling for mediocrity rang loud and clear.  My Dad would always say to me, “It’s not can’t, it’s won’t” when I said I couldn’t do something. I had boyfriends who were cyclists in my earlier years as a racer that inspired me greatly to train harder and try new adventures. 

My husband, Matt, has been a great inspiration to me as well – he believes in me more than I believe in myself sometimes and it empowers me to reach past any goal I ever made for myself. 

He says: “Take that ceiling you made for yourself and jackhammer through it. Get rid of it.” 

My cousin, Sierra has always been like a big sister and I looked up to her. 

I am inspired by my friends. My best friend Leslie is an amazing musician with boundless energy and love. My friend Kimberly has the most positive attitude I’ve ever seen through some extremely difficult and life threatening times. My friend Anne inspires me to be healthier and take better care of my body. My friend Nina has been an inspiration because she works hard, is involved in so many different things from running a junior team to a women’s team to being an accomplished pro herself (and works a full time job).

Basically, almost everyone I have in my life influences and inspires me, I could go on and on. I think it’s important to be a source of inspiration to people along with surrounding yourself having a great network of people around you who help make you better. 

When did you first realise you excelled at mountain bike endurance racing and that it could become more than just a hobby?

I think you can excel at mountain biking and have it be your hobby at the same time. It wasn’t until about four years ago that I realised I could start doing the things that I wanted to do which were traveling the world racing my bike, becoming an accomplished writer, and starting a clinic/speaking series. I achieved all these goals while having a job and many others do as well. 

I think there’s a misconception that you have to be a ‘full-time pro’ in order to achieve your goals. I know plenty of full-time pros who work and they are extremely fast, successful, and travel to races; it definitely takes some creativity but it is possible!  Even as a pro, mountain biking is still my hobby.

What was your first competitive event and how did you get on?

It was an XC race in New Mexico. I knew nothing about how to race bikes and had only been riding for a few weeks before I showed up. I walked half of it and everyone was gone by the time I finished. (And I drove an hour to get there in my chammy). I had a blast, bought a new bike, started training, and here I am today! 

What is your favourite racing terrain and what distance?

I like everything from dirt roads to technical singletrack. My favorites are high alpine riding (Colorado) and also technical rain forest trails (Southwest BC). My favourite race distances are 100 milers and stage races.

You have been on the podium at every endurance event since 2008 (well done!), of these achievements, which was the hardest and which one are you the most proud of?

This is actually some old data that I think was published in 2009 and is false! The races I’m most proud of aren’t necessarily my wins; they are races where I either had a very high level of competition or a very high degree of difficulty just to finish. 
I’m proud of being the first woman to ever finish Yak Attack – a ten-day race across the Himalayas and to do it twice; proud of my finish at the Titan Desert in the Sahara Desert, my performance at BC Bike Race last year, and simply I’m proud to just have been able to ride all over the world! 

I don’t get too hung up on results. I think it’s dangerous to derive your self-worth from what place you finished in a race. I derive my self-worth by my experiences and how I connect with people.

Has mountain bike racing taken a toll on you physically?

I have some scars on my body, but I don’t think it has. I am healthier and fitter than I ever have been. As a pro athlete, I am always focused on making sure I am treating my body well from eating healthy to getting sleep. I also am very careful about rehab – stretching (okay, not always!), corework, massage and other recovery modalities. I feel good! I think cycling is the fountain of youth.  

What does mountain biking mean to you and how has it helped you develop as a person?

I could write pages about this and I will someday. Mountain biking has taught me to believe in myself and that I am more capable than I ever imagined. It has introduced me to great people, communities, companies, and events all over the world. It taught me that you don’t have to just dream of where you want your life to go; almost anything is achievable with creativity, and an open mind, hard work, a good attitude, and persistence.  It has opened doors to me beyond just the mountain bike world. 

Because of some of the brands I’ve worked with, it’s taught me a great deal about business. As a self-marketed athlete, I’ve learned a huge amount about marketing. It’s taught me about risk-taking and the power of choice. 

I feel fortunate that if you asked me, “If you could do anything in your life, what would it be?” The answer is, “What I am doing right now.”

What are your plans for the rest of 2015 and beyond?

More stage races, marathon world champs 2016 and beyond, and continuing to develop as an athlete and as a professional. 

With thanks to my sponsors DeFeet – www.defeet.com, COOLMAX®  ECOMADE  Technology – www.coolmaxecomade.com and Michael David Winery –  www.michaeldavidwinery.com.