1. Hi. I’m Gloria.
I’m a writer, traveler, cyclist, and adventure junkie.
And I’d love to be MensJournal.com’s new Associate Editor.
2. In a Past Life
I valued technology companies as an analyst at a global
financial advisory firm. Within three years I was one of the
firm’s youngest Vice Presidents. I had a career, great
friends, shiny toys, and a full social calendar.
But every day when I took that bus down to the financial
district, I’d stare out the window with my headphones in,
wishing it were going somewhere else.
Somewhere far away.
3. So I quit my job,
sold my things, and bought a one-way plane ticket.
I wanted to know what it was like to do something I loved every day.
4. I worked as a liftie in Queenstown, NZ
getting paid to snowboard. I drove on the other side of
the road, mostly without incident. I saw places that were
so wild they brought tears to my eyes.
5. Then I went to Australia to perfect the valuable art of wandering.
I worked on a vineyard, learned to scuba dive, and made most of my
decisions playing rock-paper-scissors.
6. Love and snow brought me back to the States,
where I racked up a 100-day season in Aspen.
7. On the way, I learned
that life is too short not to chase the things that make your heart beat fast. For
me, those things are the sound of fresh snow on a powder day, the speed at
which the trees whip by on a fast singletrack descent, and how the rest of the
world goes quiet when I am writing and editing a story.
8. Diving headfirst into my passions had taken me places I never could’ve imagined.
So when it came time to think about my career again, I was determined to do
something that I had always loved: write. It’d be a big career change, but I was up
for the challenge. By this point I’d come to believe...
“Life is about creating yourself.”
“Life is not about finding yourself.
9. When I moved to Boulder in 2011,
I accepted an entry-level marketing position at a company that created training
solutions for triathletes, cyclists and runners. The job was just part-time, and
they couldn’t promise me that it would turn into anything. But I could get my foot
in the door, ride my bike at lunch, and get paid to write!
I took a chance.
10. as the Content Editor at TrainingPeaks.
I learned how to create wildly popular content, manage a diverse array of
writers, and plan comprehensive campaigns including email, social media
and ads. Working there was a 2.5-year clinic on training science, pro
athlete performance, nutrition, and how to hang on to the back of a
paceline for dear life.
Within three weeks, I was hired on full-time.
11. In February, I left my job
to travel and build my experience as a full-time freelance writer.
My writing has been published in Outside Online, BikeRadar, Ironman,
Slowtwitch, elephant, 303cycling, and Florida Cycling Magazine. I’ve also
edited and co-written pieces that have been published on CyclingNews,
VeloNews, Triathlete Magazine, and LAVA Magazine.
12. As an editor, I’ve been told by writers
that I’m adept at filtering information
in order to hone in on a story angle.
Working for Men’s Journal would be
my dream job,
My finance job also
taught me how to stay
cool and calm
working under tight
deadlines.
And being a VP gave
me valuable
experience in
motivating others and
managing projects.
but I also think I could add a lot to the team.
13. What makes me tick
● Travel: I’m currently spending the
summer biking, hiking, and writing in
Chamonix, France
● Mountain biking: Race finishes
include the Steamboat Stinger 50
and Crested Butte 40
● Skiing: An ill-fated backcountry
excursion in Banff convinced me to
switch from snowboard to skis three
years ago. I’ve never looked back.
● Scuba diving: I spent a summer in
Honduras getting my divemaster
certification
● Cooking: A distinctly unladylike
appetite and years of working in
restaurants stoked a passion for food
and drink
● Yoga: The perfect balance to all the
adrenaline-chasing
14. The Vitals
● Favorite books: Into Thin Air, Travels with Charley
● I like my beer: Hoppy, in a can, and post-activity at the trailhead
● Favorite bar: Adelita Beach Bar in Tulum, Mexico—swings, hammocks,
views, and potent margaritas
● Languages spoken: 2.5 - English, Mandarin Chinese, and enough
Spanish to get myself in over my head
● Favorite MTB ride: A 44.5-km loop with 4,200 feet of climbing and 8,000
feet of descending between Chamonix, France and Trient, Switzerland
● Best hike: Conundrum Hot Springs overnighter near Aspen. Or, 14,000-
foot Longs Peak in the middle of a meteor shower
● Gear I can’t live without: “Yolo”, my trusty Yeti ASR-5C mountain bike.
Close second: my gloriously sweaty Camelbak
● Dream trip: Driving a tricked-out Vanagon camper up to British Columbia,
Canada, or bike touring through Nepal
● My perfect day: Any day skiing or riding with a solid crew
15. Thanks so much for your time. I’m so
excited for this opportunity, and can’t wait
to hear back from MJ!
Resume and writing
samples attached.
