When Your Passion is Your Profession

How did this get so confusing?

Sometimes, I mean most of the time, life gets confusing. But as for my own life, the past five months have entailed, well, more than the usual degree of confusion.

From winning the US National Series Title in September to then getting word that, "Sorry we are not re signing you." a few days later. I feel like I have had my fair share of up's and down's with this industry. I must admit, this off-season has almost drove me batty! One week I am having a meeting with a potential company, the next I am on to another company, and so it went like that for months and months; without much of anything happening to get me where I wanted to be: on my bike this year.

I thought being a professional athlete was all about FUN and riding my bike?

Through all of the uncertainty the only thing that has kept me so positive and sane is getting out on my bike and just forgetting about "it all". I remember when my Dad, Glenn, took me to my first mountain bike race at a place called Grant ranch, located just a short drive from the Bay Area in Northern California. The scene was very inviting to a 14 -year old Tom Boy. Riding the bike that I had gotten earlier that summer was my new-found hobby. My biggest worry during my cross country race was losing my water bottle on a rocky descent on account of the fact that I was going too fast over very rocky terrain and my water bottle cage just surrendered and gave my bottle up to the ground. Thank goodness for water stations.

Since my debut at Grant Ranch years ago, things have changed not only for the industry but for myself as well.

For one, I am now a money-making professional athlete. I sign contracts, not just for discount prices on bikes and equipment but, for a monthly salary which keeps my belly full and a smile on my face. Yes, I am one of the fortunate athletes out there without an 8-5 job. My job is 24-7 and it’s what I love doing. It takes me around the world to meet all kinds of fun-loving souls and some not-so-fun- loving ones, especially at the United check in counter at LAX.

The title Professional Athlete is never earned easily and it doesn't come with a manual or directions of how to do it correctly . You never really know what is going to happen with a career and that’s especially true in mountain biking. My first impressions of our is of guys and girls out on the trails, pushing the limits of their bikes and bodies to see who was the King or Queen or the mountain that day. Now, don't get me wrong, I am not pining the "good old days". I still loving what I do and am just as eager to go and ride as I ever was. I thank the higher power for all the good fortune I’ve had and I remember how fortunate I am every time I get a little smile on my face from a new jump I just did or a really cool trail I just rode.

I guess what the question of the day is, "when did all this fun become so complicated"?

Oh, I know the answer to that!

The day I decided to call this my profession was the day it all started to become a bit more than just a hobby. There were higher stakes in it after that day. Suddenly I was relying on my profession to feed my belly and cloth my back. I figure every profession has its ups and it'sdowns throughout the course of time. When you choose to earn a living being an athlete, there is definitely no manual or handbook to tell you how to do it right. We all just do the best we can with whatever we are doing.

I may have a little unconventional way of living my life, but, after all, I was the one who wanted that life. Mountain biking is a fun sport with lots of rewarding aspects to it, and as long as I am given the opportunity to be a full-time athlete, I will make the most of it; in the process, winning some races and titles, and maybe even inspiring some people to get out there on their bikes and give it all a go.

Yes, sometimes life is a bit confusing, but then again if it were all mapped out for us would we be any happier?

I think not. It's the adventure that counts in the end.

Some late breaking news!

I have just signed with Jamis (www.jamisbikes.com) and will be piloting their range of bikes to podium finishes all over the world. Look for me out on the trails, come out to the races and support the industry.

Till next time.
Kathy Pruitt
2-time US National Series Downhill Champ 2004, 2005