Can you give us a little background on who you are?
Founder of Keep Her WILD, a rad girl skate collective. Fitness entrepreneur, TEDx speaker and mama to a baby ginger.
My mission is to inspire men and women to create a legacy of really awesome days, to live RAD. Whether it’s on a skateboard or going for big dreams, I want to encourage people to live like this thing is going to end, and turn your ‘I should haves” into “I’m doing it”.
When did you start skateboarding and how did you get involved?
I had a skateboard since college, but never had the guts to learn until I was 29. While I was always interested in learning, it took feeling tamed and lost in the suburbs to push me towards a mini-rebellion in the form of learning to skate. I was an unlikely candidate in an unlikely place, and it was freedom on a board and 4 wheels.
We love what you have created with “Keep Her Wild”. Can you fill the audience in on what it is?
Keep Her WILD began as a skate collective to empower women through skateboarding and community. But as it grew, #KeepHerWILD became a marker of bravery and taking ownership in creating really awesome days, whatever stage of life we find ourselves in.
I believe every woman is fierce by her very nature. Often through our own timidity and self-doubt we allow our biggest dreams to be caged, believing they are unattainable, silly, or reserved for someone else.
Keep Her WILD is now a place for women who are unwilling to settle for a life that is just ‘fine’. We demand remarkable and our fierce nature has an opportunity to show up. From braving the learning curve on a board, losing 100lbs and climbing a mountain or going back to school at 65 years old. We aren’t fearless, just courageous enough to go for it.
We are so stoked about the Tedx talk you just did in Cincinnati! What was the feeling you had being on stage? And, when can we watch the video?
Jesus take the wheel, was that experience. The nerves were insane in the 30 minutes leading up to TEDx. I was having legit nightmares of falling off the stage, forgetting my entire presentation (which definitely happened during dress rehearsals) and an array of other chaos that would have been going viral for the wrong reasons.
For all the chaos leading up to TEDx, getting on that stage ended up being the very thing I teach new skateboarders. This is scary, it takes courage, most of the fears in your head won’t come true - but you’re gonna need to commit and go FULL SEND.
The feeling of getting an audience so excited and rallied behind women in skating and seeing their excitement to find whatever their skateboard may be, it was exhilarating. I think I’m still wearing a smile nearly a week later.
My TEDx, Creating A Legacy Of Really Awesome Days, will be available to watch on Ted Talk in February.
If you see it and it was impactful, please share it. Everything nowadays is based on views and we are just excited to get more women interested in skating & living a life with nothing held back.
What advice would you give women who are feeling nervous or intimidated to start skateboarding?
Fail forward. You won’t be good at first. Embrace it. Laugh at it. Get friends to be silly learning with you. I remember thinking I would be judged or made fun of, and it really held me back from getting help from more experienced skaters. Videos, repetition and an attitude of resilience will serve well. Happy shredding!
What are some of your interests outside of skateboarding that you spend a lot of time doing?
Creating content that makes people feel included and hopefully laugh is one of my favorite things. Filmmaking from docu-series episodes, to comedy sketches is a huge passion of mine. With so much curated, hyper filtered content, I didn’t see much that resembled my life: this hot mess express, 3 day top knot wearing, yoga pant loving, mom life.
Working out, making playlists, doing ginger things with my 6 year old, drinking copious amounts of coffee and an above average appreciation of memes are some of the highs of my day.
How do you feel when you step on your skateboard?
Some days it’s freedom, some days it’s a battleground to see what I’m made of. That’s my favorite part, there is a comfort in familiarity of having your skill sets - but there is always somewhere to grow and develop in.
Skateboarding helped me remember who I am: fierce, feminine and capable. The sounds and feel of the board always bring that reminder front and center in my mind.
Who or what constantly inspires you to be your best self?
My daughter, Mila. In such a social media world where we rarely see the hard part of a journey, I want to give her an example that is gritty and raw. Life is tough and so is that little muppet. She inspires me to unleash the extra I have in the tank because that’s what I want for her - to know that if she’s willing to put in the work with an attitude to match, there is nothing that can’t be reached.
What is a situation in life that felt like a failure, but was actually a success?
Starting my podcast. *Insert all the cringey-ooooof faces here
When it initially launched I think we had 7 downloads. Pretty sure I wanted to shut it down every day of those first 2 months.
Now it’s one of the biggest ways I am able to reach people who have lost hope and need a reminder that it’s not too late, they aren’t too old and they have greatness inside of them waiting to be unleashed! Really glad I didn’t stop when it seemed like a failure.
What are the 3 things you do every day that make it great no matter what?
Bangin’ playlist (I have them flowing for AM, gym, work vibes and errrything in between)
Here for the nitro: ya girl is sippin on all that nitro + cold brew
Moving that bod: whether it’s slinging barbells or a quick yoga workout, doing something to move my body is a must.
What would the tagline for Megs Gelfgot’s life be?
“Here for the snacks and the high-fives. A memoir.”
What is next for you and what is the best way for us to follow along?
Keep Her WILD is rolling out more retreats designed to get women living outside of their comfort zones. From skate camps to workshops on finding your inner rad girl, we have something for everyone.
We are stoked to announce in February we are launching our online magazine, The RAD Guide and podcast. Showcasing stories and individuals chasing stoke and finding awesome. We want to celebrate the men and women who have the audacity to just go for it!
We would love love love to connect with you, here’s how you can follow us:
Megs: @Hustleandlift | Megs.Gelfgot@gmail.com
@KeepHerWILDhq | www.KeepHerWILDhq.com
Podcast: Hold My Purse Podcast