Anneke Beerten | A Crash Course (literally) in Passion: The Wild Ride of World Champion Cyclist

Anneke Beerten is a mountain biking powerhouse. At just 14, she made her childhood dream a reality by going pro and winning World Championships in BMX and 4-Cross. With sponsorships from top brands like GoPro, Oakley, and - our sponsor for today’s episode, Boiron - Anneke’s journey has been nothing short of legendary from the very start.Growing up in the Netherlands, Anneke was fearless, racing around BMX tracks while her other friends her age were just ditching their training wheels. After moving to the U.S. to compete professionally, Anneke was living her dream… but one sunny day, driving down a California road, a series of events would take place that would change everything.Forever.Today’s episode brings us into the life and mindset of this top athlete, who beat the odds time and time again to remain a champion. From her commitment to wellness, which began as a child when her parents instilled a deep appreciation for homeopathic remedies for those gnarly cycling bruises (thanks Boiron!) – to the optimized mindset she coaches into other athletes today, her path to the top is largely underscored by the idea of turning pain into purposeInstead of giving up, she used her resilience and mental strength to overcome life’s toughest obstacles. She’s as bad*ss as they come, and this episode will motivate you to chase your purpose or find clarity if you’re feeling stuck.*Today’s episode is presented by Boiron USA.************Show Notes:[0:54] Aneeka talks about growing up in the Netherlands and how she fell in love with biking and started BMX racing at just four years old[3:15] Aneeka describes the feelings she had when it came to racing and how she built her dreams around racing[6:07] Aneeka reflects on growing up with a homeopathic way of living and how her parents encouraged it[12:50] Aneeka reflects on how the sport of mountain biking embraces everyone and is such a great community [14:00] Aneeka talks about how with romantic partners she has been able to share her passion[16:36] Aneeka talks about how despite it taking a long time to win she kept persevering [19:16] Aneeka retells the story of the car accident [30:37] Aneeka tells how she had to retire from racing and what she did after [38:00] Aneeka shares how she loves being able to share the Boiron products with her riders and help them. Key Takeaways [9:27] Aneeka talks about how she started to look for new challenges with mountain biking and the transition to moving to California [27:30] Aneeka reflects on how she found gratitude despite the restrictions the car accident caused and finding a new her [34:29] Aneeka gives advice to young girls on being themselves and doing what makes them happy (Full episode release November 18, 2024) A big thank you to Anneke Beerten for joining the podcast and sharing your inspiring story. Your insight into overcoming setbacks and rediscovering your passion is truly powerful. Follow Anneke on Instagram: @annekebeertenLearn more about Anneke Beerten: https://www.annekebeerten.com/get-started************Make sure to follow Jamie @jamiehess on Instagram for news & updates, and visit our companion Instagram account @gratitudeology for a sneak peek into the personal moments discussed on the show.************The Gratitudeology Podcast theme music is by HYLLS, performed by Nadia Ali @thenadiaali  Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands