JUDY CRAWFORD BIO

Wearing the stars and stripes jersey of the US National Cycling team, we took position on the starting line.   We’d been on many a starting line before, but not as teammates and never in THIS uniform.  Oslo, Norway is a long way from home, and nothing reminded us of that more than the other national teams poised to represent their countries, wearing their national colors at this 11-event International Post Giro Stage Race.  I was the rookie, along to learn & grow through exposure - trial by fire!Team USA - Janelle (Parks) Graham, Inga Thompson, Katrin Tobin, Judy (Caunter)  Crawford, Rebecca Twigg 1986

What feels now like a past life, has been hugely formative for me.  To participate at the international level in any endeavor takes some natural talent and a huge amount of fortitude and hard work.  Through successes and failures in competitive cycling I developed grit, determination, willingness to embrace-the-suffer and celebrate-the-triumph, but most important, I learned humility.    Regardless of the outcome, I came to acknowledge that I was granted a gift to participate at this level, no better a person than anyone else because of it.  I learned, I grew, and finally, I let go of racing . . . but never of cycling.

Cycling defined that portion my life.  Now, it has been woven into my fabric; far less intense and, instead, an ever-present joy.  I coach, I ride, I encourage and empower others to ride.  It’s freeing, it’s liberating, it’s meditative and it’s an awesome gateway to perspective in this fast-paced world.  However our current endeavor is the first time we’ll undertake this style of riding. Loaded with gear on beefy touring bikes, we’re moving slow, embracing tolerance, appreciating the view from the saddle and living in the moment. We’re establishing a new “normal”, which is what transformation is all about. 

I’m also a Mom, a Wife, a NOLS Wilderness Medicine Instructor, a Northern Arapahoe Clinic RN and a Friend. 

I am a thoughtful listener, a determined explorer, and an insistent partner, with a sometimes annoying sense of optimism.

But there’s an undercurrent. Since young adulthood I’ve been visited by, and eventually sought help for, depression/anxiety and disordered eating.  Although craftily disguised, I am generally pretty anxious.  I have expended great energy keeping these aspects cloaked, but through our recent explorations into recovery from PTSD, I’ve come to realize that it’s time to step out of the darkness of shame, and shine the light on truth and vulnerability.ince young adulthood I’ve been visited by, and eventually sought help for, depression/anxiety and disordered eating.  Although craftily disguised, I am generally pretty anxious.  I have expended great energy keeping these aspects cloaked, but through our recent explorations into recovery from PTSD, I’ve come to realize that it’s time to step out of the darkness of shame, and shine the light on truth and vulnerability.