Trauma from sexual abuse and assault gets stored in the body, manifesting as physical, mental, and emotional stress. Recovery is the process of releasing this trauma. In recovery, we re-learn to feel at home in our bodies, reconnect with our emotions, and reclaim our calm. Working with professionals and peers allows us to address our experience of the world and plan for the long-term. Nature gives us space to process trauma. Through physical activity outdoors, we can focus on our bodies and work with the impacts of trauma. The challenge of mountain biking, along with community support, empowers us on the path to healing.
Sacred Cycle is healing our community by empowering survivors of sexual abuse and sexual assault, through therapy and cycling; creating a sacred cycle of recovery.
Sacred Cycle Programming encompasses three support systems which support the healing process. They include:
Hannah King is a Clinical Psychology Doctoral student studying at the University of Loyola Maryland in Baltimore. She previously completed her master’s in Sport and Performance Psychology at the University of Denver in 2018 and worked in private practice as a therapist in her home country, Bermuda, prior to beginning her doctoral program. Hannah maintains a strong passion for the connection between mental health and sport.
As a sixth generation Denver native, 
As a senior brand builder who’s equally comfortable in the backcountry and boardroom, Clare has proven success in understanding the brand life cycle when launching brands in the outdoor and mountain lifestyle industries. With over 25 years of experience, her messages create a genuine connection between the consumer and the product resulting in strong sales and brand loyalty. Strengths focus on engaging consumers by identifying brand opportunities and innovating products and services into market leaders with extraordinary profits.
Gillian Forsyth has spent nearly 30 years building a career in finance and accounting. As a way to escape from work life and to help manage her Type 1 diabetes she took to endurance sports. Gillian has completed 8 ironman triathlons, many ultra-distance mountain bike and gravel races as well as marathon and ultra running. Gillian also donates her free time as a certified USA triathlon coach to other athletes with type 1 diabetes. As someone who has had a passion for the outdoors and for riding her bike she was excited to become a part of the Sacred Cycle mission. 
Patrick Hunter is a public interest environmental lawyer. When he’s not working to protect the outdoors, he’s usually spending time there. Patrick strongly believes in the healing power of spending time in nature.
I have experienced the healing powers and spirituality of mountain biking first hand. Sacred Cycle has recognized the therapeutic qualities of riding and developed an amazingly effective program designed to help the survivors and victims of sexual trauma to heal, persevere and become empowered. I joined the Sacred Cycle team because I believe in its mission and the need for the program to extend its spokes, becoming accessible to survivors beyond its Colorado high country hub. I was raised to be a man for others and I am grateful for the opportunity to make an immediate contribution one pedal stroke at a time.
Mountain biking has taught me to face my fears, overcome obstacles, forgive myself, and learn something new every time I ride. There’s a craving to reach flow state during the ride and a feeling of empowerment and accomplishment at the end of the ride. Just like life, riding is humbling when you least expect it only now, it’s easy to laugh at the mistakes and continue driving forward. There’s an unrivaled camaraderie, support, and love from fellow riders. I am in awe of the mission of Sacred Cycle working with survivors of sexual abuse and honored to be a part of it’s continuing success and progressive future.
Throughout my career as a mental health therapist, my focus has been on treating survivors of trauma. What became clear to me through my work was the importance of reclaiming a sense of safety and security in the body after experiencing a traumatic event like sexual assault. Sacred Cycle’s mission resonated with my clinical training and with my own personal experience of healing through mountain biking. I have felt firsthand the restoration of trust, confidence, and empowerment that comes from pairing counseling with cycling. It’s been my experience that incorporating mind and body creates the strongest path to healing. I’m excited to apply my experience with program development and trauma treatment to Sacred Cycle.
Sara Shainholtz is an outdoor enthusiast, a physician assistant in the emergency room, and breast cancer survivor. Through her work in the emergency room she has evaluated and helped provide resources for women who have experienced sexual trauma; she has seen the depth of impact sexual trauma has on patients. She strongly supports the resources and life changing opportunity Sacred Cycle can bring to women’s lives.
Julie has lived in the Roaring Fork Valley for nearly 15 years. After a brief stint in Minneapolis where she obtained a degree in accounting, she high-tailed it back to Valley without a second thought and has been happily spending her free time rock climbing and mountain biking ever since. Julie strongly supports the community and the mission of Sacred Cycle with a deep desire to help people heal using unique opportunities that mentally and physically challenging sports provide.
Originally from New Hampshire, Mavis headed to Boulder for school and has called Colorado her home for over 20 years. Mavis brings over a decade of ski, bike & outdoor industry marketing and communication experience. She supports the Sacred Cycle mission with empathy and deep understanding of trauma and mental illness. An avid cyclist when it’s not ski season, she is excited to spread the word throughout active outdoor communities.
Jim Francis is a former business executive in coal land management. In recent years, as a volunteer, he has worked for a number of non-profits, and has experience as a treasurer who has been responsible for filing tax returns. A lover of the outdoors, he owns a bicycle, but only competes with himself. He is delighted to run the back office of Sacred Cycle and leave the real work to a group of strong women.
Mary Lyn Bondlow-Bushong has had a life-long passion for cycling and feels honored to share her enthusiasm and expertise with the Sacred Cycle community. She has coached a championship NORCAL team in Northern CA, taught groups of women to cycle as a Luna Ambassador for Cliff Bar, and has done extensive fundraising for the Breast Cancer Foundation. She is certified in Wilderness First Aid and CPR and is an IMBA (International Mountain Bike Association) guide and instructor. Mary Lyn and her husband live in the Roaring Fork Valley.
Lauren Gueriera has been an RN for over 25 years, later becoming a nurse practitioner, and has regularly cared for patients who have been sexually traumatized at some point in their past. For 12 years she worked as the coordinator of two Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) programs in Westminster and Glenwood Springs. During this time she passionately volunteered her time and expertise to help found the River Bridge Regional Center, an advocacy center for child victims of abuse and neglect serving several counties in western Colorado. Lauren says, “Mountain biking is my favorite activity in the world and it makes my heart and soul happy!” It’s this child-like enthusiasm for riding that Sacred Cycle is so determined to share with survivors and we’re honored to have Lauren on our team.
Jeannine has worked in high-end retail with Betteridge Jewelers in Vail, CO for 10 years. Over this time she has held roles in sales as well as office operations management. Jeannine has been passionately racing bikes for 7 years and has found success in the ultra-distance MTB world. She has competed in 15 ultra-endurance MTB races, ranging from 12 to 25 hours, as well as multiple 40+ mile races. Jeannine strongly supports the Sacred Cycle mission and is excited to spread the word throughout the mountain biking community. Cycling has been an extremely positive influence in her life so she is anxious to share her passion with others.
Willow began her career in mental health working with at risk youth in 1996 in Boulder, Colorado while studying to get her master’s degree in psychotherapy. After graduating, Willow worked for the Boulder County Mental Health Center providing home based family and individual therapy. She worked for seven years providing direct services, eventually becoming a team leader and clinical supervisor. A native of Los Angeles, Willow then began providing individual and family therapy for clients who struggle with both substance abuse and mental health issues in her home town. After joining Vive in Los Angeles, Willow provided mentor and parent coach services before becoming the team leader. Eventually, Willow’s connection and dedication to the Vive model became evident and was named Clinical Director and then became the Executive Director of Clinical Services. Willow promotes a holistic and integrated approach to therapy and holds the vision that families can change patterns and heal from past wounds. She remains forever passionate about finding creative and effective ways of providing and supporting the therapeutic services for youth, young adults, and their families.
Heather Russell, LPC, founded Sacred Cycle out of a community need and attempt to join passions; cycling and helping others. A therapist trained in transpersonal counseling, sexual assault crisis, and mindfulness awareness, Heather works with adults struggling with severe and persistent mental illness. A survivor herself, Heather found healing through mountain biking, the outdoors and helping others. She longs to share her passion for riding and vision for healing with others on their journey. Heather lives in Carbondale, Colorado and spends her free time pedaling in the mountains.