by Lynny Kramm, Backroads Leader | It was my 3rd season leading trips for Backroads in Croatia, and as I looked around the boat on a rare night off, past the remnants of grilled lamb and vegetables and homemade bread and homemade olive oil and homemade wine, I thought, this is why I travel…

Let the WORLD be your GYM | For our Fall 2010 photo shoot, Team Athleta traveled to Croatia with guidance from Backroads, the world’s #1 active travel company. Join us for an insider’s look at what goes into photographing the inspiring athletes who model our performance apparel against the backdrop of Croatia’s Dalmatian coast…

by Anna Kaschner | I was suddenly diagnosed with Kidney Disease in 2005, with no prior health issues and nothing chronic in my entire family history. It devastated me at the time, but over the 5 years I spent on Peritoneal Dialysis, I learned to become empowered to stay healthy by eating right, staying active, and keeping a positive mindset. I became a yoga instructor to help empower others, and in October of 2009 I had a kidney transplant — at age 30…

First All Female Kettlebell Sport Team Takes Silver & Gold | The 2010 World Kettlebell Lifting Championship took place in Chicago on August 7th. Once again, the Ice Chamber Kettlebell Girls went home with a pocket full of hard-earned medals…

Meet Karen of Portland, Oregon, winner of the Las Olas Surf Safari Scholarship: “Karen is an amazing wife and mother. She provided the strength that held our family together through one of the most difficult times a family could imagine. For a year and a half our daughter Claire fought brain cancer. At one point she went into remission. We thought it was a good time for us to have another child. However, when it came time to announce to everyone the great news, we learned some bad news…”

Thanks to all who entered our contest to Win a Siren Stand Up Paddle Board. Judges Kristy, Amanda, Suzie, and Megan put their hearts into considering each entry, and input from the Athleta Chi community — who stopped by to highlight their favorites with a “thumbs-up” — was a huge help. After thoughtful deliberation, we’re thrilled to announce the winner…

With summer is in full swing, the best way to fight the heat is to get in the water. You’ve seen our catalogs and chi articles touting stand up paddle as a great way to build your core strength and balance in the hot months (and you probably already know how much fun it is). So when Siren co-founder Kristy Murphy (2005 Women’s World Longboard Champion, surf instructor and stand up paddle enthusiast) called us to offer a Siren board and paddle for one lucky Athleta customer, we put together a contest for you…

by Erika McDaniel | I really don’t know where to start because I have no idea where I am going. Maybe a background of the past three years will help explain. I teach English at the local high school. I was in Enterprise High School on March 1st of 2007 when an F4 tornado hit it. We lost eight beautiful children that day, three of whom I coached and taught…

by Anne McColl | Sometimes I like to joke that I haven’t made any friends since elementary school. I have, but two of my best friends are still my oldest friends. Over the years, life has grown more complicated with careers and other commitments, but we still find time for each other and time to play. Here’s how we do it…

by Penny, Relay Captain for Team Athleta | It’s always hard for me to find the words to explain the Relay experience. The first thing I would like to say is… what a fantastic group of people! This event is a success because of the team of people that come together to go through this adventure—it’s probably the most taxing weekend of the year…