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ANDREA GAYTAN

I am a passionate former professional athlete.

During the nineties, I became the World Wakeboard Champion and XGames gold medalist. Upon my retirement I lost myself.

It’s true what they say that athletes die twice. Letting go of something you love can be heartbreaking. Especially when you have devoted your entire life and energy towards it and have experienced success. Transition periods can offer much growth if we can redirect the energy towards new dreams and possibilities.

The journey towards wisdom with a new set of spiritual tools has enabled me to thrive again, one day at a time, in the frequency of love and possibility.

I believe in the concept of daily practice and freedom through discipline. 

For the past two decades, my passion has evolved into a desire to be of service and work with others in the frequency of recovery. I’ve facilitated 12 step meetings in Mexico and Kauai, and hosted a weekly open discussion meeting from Recovery 2.0 online. I have experience working adolescents and sponsoring women and I have a sponsor since 2004. I have been a yoga and meditation practitioner for the last 25 years, was certified as a yoga instructor in 2009, and in 2023 I became a certified Recovery Coach with Recovery 2.0.

My favorite thing to do is to encourage and uplift others by bringing hope, sharing the experiences and tools that have helped me in my recovery, including meditation, yoga, sports and communion with nature.

 

EDUCATION

    • BSBA Business Administration, May 1995, University of Central Florida

    • Certified Recovery Coach RECOVERY 2.0   

    • Certified Yoga Instructor , March 2009, Integrative Yoga, Bambuddha Acapulco, Mexico

    • Merchant Marine Captains License, 2013, Kauai, Hawaii 

    • Transcendental Meditation Kauai,  2013 Kauai, Hawaii 

    • Certified Neuromuscular Massage Therapist and Holistic Healing, 2003, Mountain Heart Massage School, Crested Butte, Colorado

    • Reiki 1 Certification, 2001, Osho Commune International, Pune, India.

    • Fluent in English and Spanish

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

    • 2021-2022 Editor In Chief Wakeboarding Magazine

    • 2020-Present Editor and creator Wake Divas Journal social media platform

    • 2021-2022 Staff writer Boating Magazine

    • 2021 Producer 2021 Wake Awards YouTube

    • 2016-2020 Yoga Instructor Hanalei Bay Resort, Pono Kai and Fit Lab Kauai

    • 2018 Surf Instructor Hawaiian Surfing Adventures Hanalei ,Kauai

    • 2014-2017 Boat captain and crew, Holo Holo Charters, Na Pali Coast, Kauai

    • 2009-2012  Staff writer Sol De La Costa Puerto Escondido, bilingual publication

    • 2004-2023 Cabo Wake Center, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, established and operated first wakeboard, wake-surf and wake-skate school in Baja, now NAS Adventures. 

    • 1993 – 2000 Professional Athlete, competed worldwide based in Orlando, Florida

 

ATHLETIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS

    • Wakeboarding Hall Of Fame inductee 2015

    • 1993-1996 Four time Women’s World Wakeboard Champion

    • 2000 Winner of  World Extreme Sports NEA Award Women’s Wakeboarding 

    • 2000 Condenast Women’s Sports and Fitness Top Ten Athletes of the Year                 

    • 1999 Gold Medal winner of NBC’s Gravity Games

    • 1998 XGames Gold, 1997 Silver and 1999 Bronze medal winner Women’s Wakeboarding

 

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

    • Yoga Instructor/Therapist Mexico, Hawaii, 2009- 2023  Designing and facilitating yoga classes,including the use of Sound Bowls Therapy and Kundalini Yoga. Incorporating elements of the 8 Limbs of Yoga as a therapeutic healing modality for individuals and groups.

    • Wakeboard coach, 1993-2000 Coached clinics for children and teens all over the US, Mexico, Japan, Europe and South America while competing on the Professional Wakeboard Tour.

    • Wakeboard Designer, Fulltilt Wakeboards, Seattle,Washington, 1996-2000 Designed five different board models, including the first ever women’s wakeboard, initiated the first marketing and advertising campaign targeted towards women riders making appearances, exhibitions worldwide.

    • I.T.S International Training Center, Sunset Lakes, Florida 1990-1993, coached at waterski school and camp. Responsibilities included: waterski coach, head counselor at camp, in charge of managing and caring for approximately 30 students between the ages of 9 to 25.

 

 

PUBLICATIONS