Emphasize Organic Fun (and Don't Worry About the 'Game Plan'): Sabra Davison, Little Bellas

Today my guest is Sabra Davison, one of the founding powerhouse trio of women behind Little Bellas. Little Bellas should sound familiar to you by now if you’ve joined me for a pod or two before - it’s an organization creating opportunities for girls to build life skills and confidence through mountain biking fun.

As Sabra and her sister Lea started getting serious about mountain bike racing in college, they also started noticing what an anomaly it was to see more than a few women involved in most races. One fateful day, Angela Irvine happened to line up at a start with them (or should I say lined up behind them), and the conversation they struck up with her after the race turned into lots of Thai food and brainstorming about how to create a welcoming, supportive space for girls and women in the sport they all loved.

From its humble beginning in rural Vermont, Little Bellas has grown into a nationwide program that has served over 4,500 girls through camps and weekly programs for riders of all skill levels.

But don’t let all the bikes fool you - while programs encourage and support skill progression and developing greater comfort on two wheels, Little Bellas make just as many memories at snack time and through crazy games they make up and play in their groups.

I hope you’ll follow Little Bellas on Instagram or Facebook - you can also get tons of information about Little Bellas programs and mentorship opportunities on their website, LittleBellas.com.

Useful links from our convo:

• Become a Little Bellas mentor
• Lea Davison (@leaeatsalot) on Instagram (forgot to mention, Lea is a two-time Olympian and has hit podiums at multiple World and National Championships. No moss growing on the Davison family!)
• Get inspired by Angela Irvine’s story yourself!
• Cochran’s Ski Area - the Cochran family’s Olympic ski dynasty
• Little Bellas’ newest chapters
• Fresh Air Fund
• Specialized SWAT water bottle cage (with tool) 

And if you liked this conversation, you'll also enjoy these episodes:

• Lauren Jacobs, University of Maine Outdoor Leadership
• Laura Beebe, Sterling College
• Jenn Minery, Little Bellas Regional Coordinator and Mentor
• Heidi Myers of Rasputitsa (Little Bellas partner)

As always, special thanks to our sponsor, Evans Notch Lodge!