Bio
Born and raised in Newport Beach, California, Chanelle came out looking for trouble. She started skateboarding and waterskiing at the age of 2 ½, soccer and swim team at 4, and roller hockey at 7. Her dare devil ways did not come without consequence. By the age of 12 she had already broken 7 bones, avoided amputation, and had a plethora of stitches and bruises.
Always looking for ways to challenge herself, she took on all sports available to her i.e. skateboarding, snow skiing, waterskiing, soccer, basketball, roller hockey, softball and karate. After recovering from a 2-year injury, she decided to put her skate skills to the test and finally learned how to snowboard. She used her birthday money to sign up for lessons at the local mountains, but skipped her 3rd lesson because she was scouted by a brand that paid her entry fee for a slopestyle pro/am event.
Taking 2nd place and walking home with loads of gear, she withdrew from club soccer and joined USASA the following season. Chanelle became the queen weekend warrior of So Cal at Big Bear Mountain slowly climbing the ranks in USASA. She finally won her a gold medal at the Junior World Championships in New Zealand earning her a spot at X-Games.
Chanelle was given her first big break on an extreme sports feature show on MTV called “The Triple Threat”, where she competed in a surf, snow, skate competition around the world with respected athletes like Shaun White, Hannah Teter, Todd Richards, Brad Gurlach and so on. Fastforward to 2007, where she took a Bronze Medal home in the Winter X Games performance, Chanelle proved herself a worthy opponent.
Chanelle has become a familiar face on the podium and in the magazines. When not competing, she spends her season filming around the world. Chanelle is currently creating a Women’s Empowerment Week in Fiji with top women of Action Sports to: gather, motivate, educate and create momentum to give back to our environment and inspire others to do so as well.
She is a truly quintessential So Cal girl, with a soul as deep as the ocean. In her free time Chanelle loves to do yoga, remodel her house, cook food from her veggie garden, take photos, and dance!!!!
Chanelle aspires to be a role model for a healthy active lifestyle who is conscious about her global footprint, and comfortably in tune with her feminine energy.
Q & A
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What fears do you have? How do you deal with them?
Whenever I am uncertain I tend to be in a fearful state. That's why I say to myself, "Fear disappears when you are grateful." It's amazing how you can change a state when you start to list the things you are sooo grateful for in that moment.
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What made you start your sport and why?
Grew up playing organized sports, and skating a ton it was only a matter of time until I finally tried snowboarding. An all girls board shop that sponsored me for skateboarding, took me up to get lessons, and on third day I skipped my lessons to enter an all girls slopestyle pro/am. I placed second and won a bunch of swag. I haven't looked back since!!!
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What are you passionate about and why?
People are my passion. Well, people and sports. It's the 2 things in this world that I can't seem to get enough of. I cannot go a day without action and if I could fit it in everyday I would snowboard, surf, wakeboard, hike, bike, rock climb, golf, go-kart and anything else active and challenging. I would love to do it everyday if I had enough time and energy! I love to talk story with people. I love hearing funny travel stories, craziest experiences, personal discoveries. I love it. I love people and connecting, and understanding how we all relate to each other and within ourselves.
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What makes you different than other girls or just unique?
I consider myself an old soul. I always saw it as a child as something weird or unique, but now I see it as a strength and beauty within. I feel like I am just starting understand that person and learn about her. All of us are so beautiful in our own special ways. All of us with different nationalities, gene pools, upbringings, every little thing making us uniquely special. I really believe that about everyone. I feel we are all here for our own divine purpose. We all have our own strengths to contribute to society one way or another.
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What are the greatest signs you have received in life?
I feel like the universe, God, is constantly showing us "signs." The more we choose to become truly aware of our surroundings, every little detail, the more "signs" we can see. Its amazing how much we distract ourselves all day long, finding very little time to tap into the universe and within ourselves. It's hard to make time everyday for yourself, and nothing else. It is one of my constant struggles.
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Who is the most influential person in your life and why?
I thankfully surround myself around many individuals that inspire and influence me for the positive. But Tara Dakides has probably been the most influential. She is one of my closest friends, and has been mentoring me through my snowboarding and life. She is very patient person and such a good listener. Never tells me what to do, just tries to give me tools to get there on my own. I am very grateful for our friendship.
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What are the 3 biggest things you learned from your parents?
1. Hard work. 2. Dream Big, you can make anything happen. 3. How to truly LOVE
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Tell me a little about your best friend. Why are they your best friend and how are you alike and different from each other?
My best friend is the best athlete I know, she is really close to her family, she is straight to the point, passionate, charismatic, funny, and feisty. I think we get along so well, because we challenge each other athletically and emotionally. We both like to take life full on. She is different in that she is a little more carefree, which is great, because someone has to help me mellow out.
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What do you hold the most valuable to you in life?
My friends and family.
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What are the things that inspire you?
People inspire me most. People with good values, character, spirituality, love, ambition, direction, grace, dreams, PASSION.
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What is the greatest lesson you have ever learned?
To love unconditionally and it will persevere above all.
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How do you see yourself?
Hmm, I suppose I see myself as someone that is genuine and real, but goofy as they come! I am someone that truly cares about those around her, and is always seeking for the same treatment. I am a dreamer, always reaching for that next star. I am an athlete, a believer, ambitious, family orientated, competitive, traveling, homebody, a dog lover. A passionate person. An old soul.
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