As part of our commitment to connecting with athletes who inspire our business, our products and (most importantly) our customers, each year Athleta sponsors a team of women representing a range of sport and fitness activities.  With 2009 underway, we’ll soon be updating the Featured Athletes section to introduce our 2009 athletes, but would like to take a moment to acknowledge and thank the AMAZING women who represented Athleta in 2008…

In addition to her athletic accomplishments, Lisa Smith-Batchen (ultra-runner extraordinaire) has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to athletics for a purpose. Just two years after raising nearly $300,000 for AIDS orphans, in 2008 she challenged herself to Lisa’s 810 and in the process raised over $500,000. Can you imagine how many lives she’s impacted by putting one foot in front of the other, over and over and over again? No doubt Lisa and her Dreamchasers will continue to awe and inspire us for many years to come.

Margaret Burns Vap came to Athleta shortly after she and her family said ‘so long’ to their urban Washington DC lifestyle to settle in under the big skies of Montana and start Big Sky Yoga Retreats. We’ve seen her tackle that transition with grace (even through the inevitable rough patches) and a sincere desire to grow. In addition to her expertise as a yoga teacher, Margaret is also a talented writer and a founding contributor to the Chi. We look forward to hearing more from her in 2009.

We hope Chi readers enjoyed a glimpse into Morgan Filler’s coaching style in the three-part Chi collaboration with freelance writer Kathleen Burke Jensen who, thanks in part to Morgan, completed her first triathlon. Morgan is currently developing open water swimming programs to empower young girls (who knows, maybe one day we’ll sponsor another woman who has followed Morgan’s bubbles) while continuing to build her coaching practice and massage therapy business. We salute Morgan for inspiring us to swim outside the lines.

As a river rafting guide and experiential educator, Sarahlee Lawrence is constantly on the move. Not long after sharing I Read Walden Once with Chi readers, she made her way to Alaska in a diesel truck converted to run on vegetable oil. In addition to rafting rivers around the world, guiding horse safaris in Kenya, and surfing along the California coast, Sarahlee is currently building an organic greenhouse on her farm in Oregon. We wish her the best and hope to continue sharing her stories on the Chi.

Stacey Cook continues to traverse the globe (and the slopes), training and racing with the U.S. Alpine Ski Team. It was great fun to keep up through her journals. When Stacey wasn’t competing, training, or completing her first triathlon, she was fundraising and helping kids through the Far West Masters Junior Scholarship Fund and the 49er Foundation. No doubt the coming year will bring more challenges, victories and new experiences for Stacey. You can continue following her tracks at StaceyCook.net.

To learn more about Athleta’s sponsorship program, please read the Featured Athlete FAQ. We welcome applications from women currently pursuing athletics as a career, whether it’s in competition, teaching, and/or coaching. Click here to fill out the initial inquiry form.

Related Chi: Saluting Our 2009 Featured Athletes Introducing Our 2010 Featured Athletes Fall 2008 Behind-the-Scenes Gallery Going to the Dogs Winter 2008 Behind-the-Scenes Gallery