To inspire others and showcase diverse career paths within the outdoors industry we've created a monthly blog series featuring individuals in our community and their goals and aspirations for the future.
This month we are featuring Michele Lobo, Mountain Biking Program Lead at Indigenous Women Outdoors!
Photo credit: Mason Mashon (IG: @mason_mashon) & cover photo
Michele's day job as a Senior Consultant in the Pharmaceutical Industry where she specialises in Pharmaceutical Packaging, Medical Device Material Management, and Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) consulting allows her to volunteer as a Mountain Biking Program Lead at Indigenous Women Outdoors.
Indigenous Women Outdoors (IWO) is a non-profit organisation that provides a mentorship community that strengthens Indigenous matriarchal leadership in the outdoor industry and creates a barrier-free environment for the next generation of Indigenous riders. IWO operates on the unceded Sḵwx̱ú7mesh, Líl̓wat, səlil̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ, and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm territories, commonly known as the Sea-to-sky region of British Columbia, Canada (Vancouver, Squamish, Whistler, and Pemberton).
IWO’s objective is to elevate the performance riding experience, foster the next generation of ride leaders for indigenous women in the mountain biking scene, and offer an introduction to mountain biking to new riders. IWO provides a safe space for skill building and exploring what identity and connection means for indigenous women.
Photo credit: Meldon Lobo (IG: @melzzor)
Michele’s Aspiration
Aspiring community leader
What key experiences and influences shaped your path to where you are today?
It started with wanting to find a way to give back in my free time and meet other like-minded riders once I started my career. I spent a summer volunteering at a DIY bike shop in Toronto and was connected with an amazing person that ran a women’s bike group that was unlike other bike clubs I’ve been to. It focused on introducing women and non-binary individuals to the sport. By simply being one of the more experienced riders in the group, I found myself in a supporting role in this bike club as a ride leader. It ended up being an incredibly rewarding experience to see the riders progress throughout the season.
Off the bike, my educational background prepared me to work in the pharmaceutical industry as a synthetic chemist. When I realized that I wanted to live out on the west coast, I knew I had to make some drastic career changes to achieve that goal. At first it meant taking work at a lower income, but it put me on a path that would eventually allow me to work remotely and live in a place like Squamish.
Like most of our members, I found IWO through their Instagram account. I joined the first cohort of IWO’s mountain biking mentorship program and earned my Level 1 PMBIA, which allowed me to work as a bike coach. I am Yellowknives Dene but grew up off reserve and only began reconnecting with my indigenous heritage over the pandemic years. The energy of riding with other indigenous women was incredible. I went from not knowing really any indigenous people in my day-to-day life, to riding with a rad group of indigenous women in the span of one season. I wanted to find some way to give back to the community to ensure it was there for future riders, so I volunteered the next year to coordinate the mentorship program.
Lastly, I worked diligently in my career path over the past ten years to focus on becoming a subject matter expert in my field. By doing so, I was able to take on a consulting role which allows me the flexibility to set my own hours so I can volunteer with organization like IWO.
Photo credit: Mason Mashon (IG: @mason_mashon)
What would you say is the key to succeeding in what you do?
Check your ego at the door – You are showing up for the community and the goal is to create a welcoming space on a ride, at any level. This means you might not snag that QOM on the ride, but seeing the progression of the riders is all worth it.
Balance – in the end it’s volunteer work. We are all here because of our passion to get more indigenous women reconnected to the land. Avoiding burnout is the key to sustaining a thriving community. It can be easy to get swept up in the hype, but when you still have to work your day job and care for your family, it is important to set boundaries for your own wellbeing.
What piece of advice would you give to yourself ten years ago?
Step out of your comfort zone often and don’t be afraid to take on new challenges. You might surprise yourself at what you’re capable of.
Stay focused on your goals. It’s going to take some sacrifices to get there, but it’s going to be worth it in the end.
What's next for Michele and IWO?
Personally, I am working on my own coaching certification development to support higher levels of riding for our community.
We’re working on expanding our capacity of the MTB program to get even more indigenous women out on the trails in Squamish and Whistler. We are going into our fourth season of the mentorship program, which will empower a new cohort of indigenous riders. We’ve even been scoping out starting some gravel rides to reach even more members that might feel intimidated joining us in the bike park.
Photo credit: Meldon Lobo (IG: @melzzor)
Breaking Barriers in the Bike Industry: Join Us on the Journey
The bike industry is challenging to break into. Too often, job opportunities are filled through existing connections, leaving those outside certain circles wondering how to get a foot in the door. At Grow Cycling, we believe that everyone deserves a chance to ride the path to success—so we’re changing the game, one job posting at a time with our Grow Cycling Foundation Jobs Board.
If you have any questions or feedback on what you'd like to see in a future Career Chronicles feel free to email us at hello@growcyclingfoundation.org