Interview with Whitney Yang Bike trip to Alaska anyone? What type of involvement have you had in the areas of fitness, sports, and exercise in your life? Growing up, my parents emphasized the importance of exercise to keep your mind and body healthy. I swam for 7 years, got my black belt in Tae Kwon Do, played volleyball, basketball, and track in school, and I dabbled in jazz, tap, and ballet dance.
Who are your health, fitness, and athle,c role models and why? My family is 100% my inspira8on for ea8ng healthy and exercising regularly. Just as an example, my father who will be 66 this year, goes to yoga and pilates everyday, walks 18 to 36 holes of golf several 8mes a week, and goes to the gym for 4 to 5 hours a week. He is much healthier than people half his age. And, my brother and sister always watch what they eat, and consume lots of leafy greens, quinoa, and natural juices. We almost make it a compe88on in our family as to who can be the healthiest.
What would you consider the peak of your sports career so far? Hands down my par8cipa8on in Texas 4000, the longest annual charity bike ride in the world from Aus8n, Texas, to Anchorage, Alaska. The bike ride takes 70 days and each person rides a total of 4,000 miles. This was the most challenging, and most rewarding experience of my life. Although there were days where it was rainy and cold or days without enough food, but, we mo8vated each other as a team of 27 people, and remembered the fact that the $370,000 we were raising was going towards cancer research.
“My family is 100% my inspiration for eating healthy and exercising regularly.”
Tell about us your leadership role in health & wellness at work? At Google, I am the Wellness Champion of the Aus8n office. With this 8tle, I am given the opportunity to ins8tute programs and classes that I believe will benefit Aus8n Googlers. So far I have set up weekly yoga, Cross Fit bootcamp, and zumba classes. I also started a wellness library where colleagues can check out books about mental, physical, and spiritual health. In general, I promote any healthy ac8vi8es and wholesome ea8ng consistently.
As if riding 4,000 miles was not enough of a challenge, I was also the first woman to successfully complete what is called the "Dease Lake Challenge", which is 206 miles of the hilliest roads in Canada. Since you have to complete all 206 miles in one day, before it gets too dark, everything you need to eat or drink (at least 10,000 calories worth) must be kept on your bike, and water can be taken from the creeks along the way. Finishing 206 miles in one day and 4,000 miles in 70 days will always be two of my most cherished memories.
When/what is your next adventure?
I recently did my first Olympic triathlon in Marble Falls, Texas. I would like to do a Half Ironman in the fall of 2013.
What keeps you mo,vated to exercise and compete? If I don't exercise, I am less produc8ve at work, I feel sluggish, and I have a lot less energy. I am the type of
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