In 2009, when a career-ending injury shattered my dreams of achieving more world firsts in the male-dominated sport of freestyle motocross, I had to reset. It was through this journey I realised my overarching struggle in life was an internal one. That I was not the believing in the God-given potential within me—that I was created with the potential to fulfil my dreams and desires without constantly feeling the need to prove it to the world. And this ignited a greater purpose within me—to guide others in unleashing their God-given potential and truly Live Life Wide Open.
I lay in my hospital bed for months with only a 20% chance of my leg recovering from a severe trimalleolar ankle break, where my ankle was broken in three places, displaced, and dislocated. On top of that, my other leg was also broken. Orthopedic specialists were called in to see if they could repair the damage using open reduction with internal fixation, involving the insertion of a plate and numerous screws to stabilize and heal my legs.
Behind that struggle was a negative belief, that the world around me didn’t want my ambition—that burning desire I had to achieve and grow through trying new things that others did not dare to take the risk. With every step growing up, I felt the need to prove myself, constantly striving for success and distinction. I wanted others to believe in my potential and to see the value in what I carried. I longed to succeed at my ambitions without facing judgment, doubt, or insult if I failed.
And just like that, one tiny mishap ended the ambitions I had in my Freestyle Motocross (FMX) career. It happened during a "one more jump" moment when my focus wavered. As I approached the run-up for the jump, I second-guessed my gear and tried to pull off to the side of the ramp, but it was too late. I landed on the upside of the landing ramp, and the force of the impact went through my body, breaking both my legs under the intense pressure.
While I was in the ambulance, God spoke to me, saying, "I want to use you." Later, as I lay in the hospital, contemplating my future, I received a clear revelation: I was meant to study counselling to support young people in their journeys.
Driven by a passion for facilitating connection and freedom, I focused on studying counselling and researching psychology to better understand people. Establishing a charitable trust, I aimed to work with young people, creating programs that blend risky activities with therapeutic support to unleash their God-given potential in life. This approach not only developed high-quality programs but also empowered a growing team around me to make a meaningful impact through this approach.
Together with my husband Joel, we founded Youth Encounter with a vision to empower the youth of Aotearoa NZ to embrace life fully and thrive, or as we say, "Live Life Wide Open." As the CEO, my role involves providing vision and leadership, creating a culture that empowers individuals to unleash their God-given potential. Witnessing people fulfill their creation and live abundantly is my ultimate passion.
Still got it at 41 years old after enduring over 30 broken bones and surviving life-threatening cancer!
Fifteen years ago, I was grateful just to walk again after being confined to a wheelchair. I mourned the end of my FMX career and reluctantly accepted the doctors' orders to avoid high-risk activities, that I loved, like riding dirt bikes, wakeboarding, and snowboarding due to the metal in my legs. My left ankle, permanently swollen, served as a daily reminder of my struggles. Today, through what I can only describe as a God-given miracle, I’m back to enjoying many of those activities, now with greater freedom and joy. This journey has taught me that life isn’t about performance but about adventure and exploration with others. Embracing life's possibilities rather than striving for achievement brings true fulfilment. We are created with endless potential, and discovering that is heavenly.
My journey required a massive mindset shift, transforming my thinking and creating a new narrative centred on my God-given potential and inherent value found in Jesus. Embracing the truth that I am enough as I am, I recognized that my worth lies not in my achievements but in who I am. This realization opened up a world of possibilities for my future. With a secure identity rooted in who God created me to be, I can now enjoy deeper and meaningful connections with others. My life is filled with love, acceptance, and a sense of purpose. I have hope for a positive future and resilience in the face of adversity, empowering me to live life to the fullest.
This is the heart of Youth Encounter, offering young people a unique opportunity to engage in programmes that move away from traditional modes of delivery, and using a strong evidence based framework to develop programmes that intentionally facilitate change in young people. We use play to have fun and explore the meaning of life and its possibilities. Through these adventures, we connect with each other, not based on performance or status, but by recognizing and accepting each person’s incredible potential that lies within them. This empowers us to Live Life Wide Open.
Shifting my mindset from being leashed by ambition and success to unleashing my God-given potential, I moved from needing to prove my value to believing in it, transitioning from insecurity to the unleashed freedom empowered by the Holy Spirit, allowing me to Live Life Wide Open with a secure identity, purposeful outlook, and resilience in adversity.
