Gretchen Bleiler (a fellow Oakley ambassador) is one of the most accomplished female snowboarders in the world. She moved to Colorado at the age of 10 and learned how to snowboard during gym class – and was immediately hooked! Since then Bleiler has become one of snowboarding’s most successful women, from earning a 2006 Olympic silver medal in Torino to making the 2010 U.S. Olympic team to grabbing her fourth X Games gold medal. In this interview with Fitz, Gretchen discusses her brutal facial injury from a fall and her tough recovery. She also discusses what she has planned for the future, since this is last season of competition.
Sport: Snowboarding (half-pipe)
Hometown: Aspen, Colo.
Currently Resides: Carlsbad, Calif. /Aspen, Colo.
Birthdate: April 10, 1981
Social Media:@GretchenBleiler; facebook.com/GretchenBleiler
Olympic Status: 2006 Olympic silver medalist
Recent Competition Success: Finished sixth at the Burton US Open and fifth at the X Games Tignes
Career Highlights: Finished first at the 2010 X Games super-pipe and 2008 X Games half-pipe
Favorite Kellogg’s Brands: Nutri-Grain, Special K, Smart Start, Raisin Bran, Corn Flakes, Cracklin’ Oat Bran
Did You Know…
- She considers her mom to be her hero, but goes to her dad for advice on snowboarding because he watches and reads everything about snowboarding.
- She hit a moment of internal questioning after the Olympics because she had attained all she wanted to do in the sport.
- She starts every day with 30 minutes of meditation.
- She rescued her dog from a shelter and is a big proponent of animal adoption
Gretchen Bleiler on Fitzness.com
