haley batten

professional mountain biker for Specialized Factory Racing

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Tell us a bit about your role as a professional athlete.

I feel really grateful to be a professional athlete. I have been able to invest fully into the sport that I am passionate about, which allows me to travel the world, meet amazing people and communities, and focus soon on my physical and mental well-being. Alongside this, I believe that many of the lessons I learn through my journey as an athlete are representative of life. The highs and lows, work ethic, and connection with myself and my environment. I believe that by challenging myself to reach new heights and sharing what I have learned with the next generation of young female cyclists, the level will continue to rise in our sport. 

What do you do to stay healthy?

For me, staying healthy involves being aware of many different aspects of my health. My body, mind, relationships, and environment. Everything is very connected and I try to be aware of everything that influences my health and happiness. I eat well, stay active, spend time with family and friends, get outside, and make sure that I am always trying new things to step outside my comfort zone in new ways! 

What does training look like for you?

My training involves many hours and miles on my bike! I spend time on both my road bike and mountain bike to build fitness but also work on my skills. I also routinely train in the gym with my strength coach. In the winter I enjoy Nordic and alpine skipping for cross-training.

How do you take time for yourself when it comes to mental and physical recovery?

Recovery is a very important part of my training to allow me to build from the hard work. I love yoga and the Breathe community helps me reset after a hard day of training. I also try to take time to meditate, journal, and spend time with family and friends.

BEST moment of 2022 (whether that's in-competition, mentoring, community work, personal, etc)

A highlight of my 2022 race season was earning a bronze medal at World Championships in Les Gets, France. It was a really special moment to share with my family and team. I also started coaching this year and enjoyed watching the young women I coach to grow, learn, and work toward their goals. I love returning to Squamish, BC at the end of a busy race season to enjoy the beautiful outdoors, reconnect with the Quest University and Squamish community, and begin my winter training. 

Upcoming season/events/competitions 

This year I will be based in Annecy, France for the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup season. I am excited about this new adventure to live in Europe for a large portion of the year. 

How does Breathe Fitness help you?

Breathe Fitness played a really important role for me during the Fall/Winter. I found that it was really beneficial for me both mentally and physically to balance my training regimen and school schedule. The instructors are so kind and the environment is very calming and enjoyable. I love the relaxation and stretching that each session provides for me.