Sliding Doors With Sierra Roth

One door closes, another one opens

Hello everyone and welcome to my first blog post for the lovely MXP! My name is Sierra and I live just outside of Edmonton, Alberta on an acreage that some of you may know as The Roth Compound. I will start off by writing a little bit about myself and then future posts will be about the amazing women’s series that we have in this fine country of Canada.

For those of you who don’t know me, you will definitely be hearing my name a lot this year as I am helping run the 2016 CMRC Western Canadian Women’s Motocross Nationals (CDNWMX series). I also, two and a half years ago, was faced with a life changing event that has altered how I go about my everyday life.

If you would have told me three years ago that I would be running the women’s series, working as an Educational Assistant (EA) at a High School instead of going to University, and guest speaking for the Rick Hansen Foundation all over Alberta, I would not have believed you. I was a firm believer in having a plan and sticking to it, no matter what. Now, I know that things change. Life, as we know it, is constantly throwing curve balls when we least expect it. Sometimes, these changes don’t live up to our expectations and ultimately steer us into the direction of thinking that the world is against us. We see this in the sport of motocross all the time, from anywhere between those who are just starting off and the pros who have been doing it their whole lives. I know all this to be true because I was once there. I was disappointed in knowing that all my hard work wasn’t paying off. So how did I get here and how did I discover a new outlook to going about my life? Well, for starters, I can definitely say it hasn’t been easy.

I have been around this sport of motocross since 2003 when my younger brother, Zach, started racing at the age of four. Like most, watching him gave me the courage to pursue this sport too and at the age of nine, I did just that on top a 65 Kawasaki. I have to give credit to the Turner family who took me under their wing, especially Shelby Turner (former 2010 CDNWMX champ), who helped me develop the skill that I carry today. As you should all know, motocross became part of our family. The people, the atmosphere, and everything else about it became something that we couldn’t back away from. It became an addiction. Fast forward to 2013 and that is where everything became complicated.

Not only did I have a love for motocross, but I also had a love for soccer, which I was pursuing to possibly obtain a scholarship to play for a university. I was running up to twelve kilometers in the morning, attending high school for the majority of the day, playing soccer in Edmonton in the afternoon, and then riding our track in the evening with my brother. I knew I had what it took to be a top three contender at the CDNWMX series, but I also knew that soccer could take me places motocross couldn’t. By the time race season hit, I was overworked and completely exhausted. For anyone that knows me though, this didn’t stop me.

June 2, 2013 was just a typical day at the motocross track in Brooks, Alberta. I was competing with the Alberta Junior boys one final time before I headed off to the first round of the 2013 CDNWMX series in Kamloops, BC the following weekend. Life had other plans for me, however, as I took an unexpected tumble that would end my soccer and racing career. I was diagnosed with a T6 complete spinal cord injury. Simply put, I broke my back, which pinched my spinal cord and has now left me permanently paralyzed from the chest down, binding me to a wheelchair. The funny thing is, though, my life couldn’t be any more fulfilling.

I have been granted all sorts of opportunities since the accident, and have relearned how to live life in a wheelchair, to the point where I can be completely independent every day. I have been able to take part in many extracurricular activities that I never thought were possible, which I frequently post on social media for any of those who are interested. I am working as an EA until this fall when I attend university to obtain my Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology. I am an Ambassador for the Rick Hansen Foundation where I get to talk to children all over to raise awareness about those who live with a disability and the importance of inclusion for all. I still am a part of the racing atmosphere with my family while running the CDNWMX series, and on top of all this, I still can ride my dirt bike. If that isn’t a fulfilling life, I don’t know what is!

I guess I just want to make the point that everything happens for a reason. Call me cliché, but I really believe life has a plan for each and every one of us. The only thing that matters is making the most out of every situation; we only have one life to live! All of this wouldn’t be possible without those who have supported me and gave me the opportunity to live my life like everyone else. For those who follow the women’s series, you would understand when I say that once off the track, the women in this sport are one big family. The atmosphere is so electrifying that once you start, you cannot stop. After my accident, the motocross family was a huge factor in getting me through each and every day. Denaye Arnett and Camille Bunko (former ambassadors of the CDNWMX series), in particular, reached out to me after my accident and offered me a spot to help them out with the series. Although it was a minor role, it made a huge difference on getting through a weight of anger that once was carried on my shoulders because of what this sport has put me through. Now it is not seen like that and I am living by the motto, life rolls on. I think we all can agree we owe Denaye and Camille a huge thank you for getting this sport for women kicked off on the right foot, after falling apart in 2011. I for sure can thank them for all that they have done and can only hope I continue the momentum of where this series is headed.

On that note, if anyone is interested in sponsoring the series, as we are still in need of some support, contact myself at srroth22@gmail.com or visit our website www.cdnwmx.com. Thanks for reading and stay tuned for my next post!

Sierra Roth