The two most vivid memories I have as a kid were riding bikes with my best friend in Ringwood, NJ where I grew up, and proudly watching my dad pedal off on his long weekend training rides. He inspired me to start cycling and running competitively when I later moved to Manhattan as a means to stay fit and travel in a city where nobody owns a car.
The pursuit of physical fitness for me is both an escape and a way of life. Whether kicking steps up steep snow faces in crampons or charging up a hill on my bike, that's when I am my best self -- focused, powerful and free. To that end, a handful of years ago I became a personal trainer to share my passion with others, and subsequently moved to Portland to join a region of the country known for outdoor recreation and coffee drinking, my favorite things.
Living in this place - where I don’t have to depend on a car to get around, and where bike travel is celebrated by the community - is my new inspiration. Working as part of the Alta team makes me feel like I have come full circle in my current life pursuits, joining my passions and beliefs with my talents.
Recently transplanted in Oregon, Natalie Wessel hails from Manhattan where she worked for eight years as Marketing Director for some of the leading planning and design firms in the area. With a degree in architectural history, she served for several years on the Board of Directors for the Society for Marketing Professional Services, and was a major player in the New York City business development scene.
Natalie changed careers mid-stream and started her own personal training business, coaching competitive cyclists, marathoners, and post rehabilitation clients. Now living in Portland, she is enthusiastic to combine her interest in alternative transportation with her strong business background as Alta’s new Marketing Manager.
