This is one of my 3 essays part of my application to IE University in Spain. I describe my 2 favorite things to do and how they have contributed in shaping me: bicycling and swimming.

1. #
Application
Gabriela Betancourt
Sánchez

2. Hello, Im Gaby Betancourt and I‟m applying for my masters
at IE.
Today I‟m showing you an activity I enjoy doing and how it
contributes to my personal and professional development
By the way im 26
years old, I live in
Mexico city.
Gabriela Betancourt
Sánchez

3. My 2 greatest hobbies are bicycling and swimming.
Exercise and a healthy life style are very important for me

4. Varsity Cycling
team
It taught me:
Team Work
Focus
Discipline
and... Gabriela Betancourt
Sánchez

5. DETERMINATION

6. I love my college, Im very proud to be a UNAM alumn. It‟s
given me so much.
In front of UNAM‟s Olympic Stadium
My boyfriend
Gabriela Betancourt
Sánchez

7. Road cycling may requires TEAM WORK, sometimes you have to be
leading the pack, cutting the air, sometimes you‟ll be in charge of
delivering water and supplies to the leaders.
A peloton has to function like a well tuned machine.
Gabriela Betancourt
Sánchez

8. Be in touch with nature and taking the time to
“smell the roses”
Gabriela Betancourt
Sánchez

9. Mountain Biking
has taken me to
amazing places.
There‟s something about
climbing a mountain on a
bike and arriving to a
beautiful landscape, that has
become my addiction.

10. At first I hated the up-hill part, I just did it to go down-hill full speed.
But now I‟ve know the reward is much sweeter once you‟ve given all your
effort and struggle.
Ultimately it‟s my own strength that‟s moving the pedals.
“It‟s the climb”
Gabriela Betancourt
Sánchez

11. I‟ve run into cows and other
animals many times
HOLY COW!
Gabriela Betancourt
Sánchez

12. Spend quality time with my family.
My dad My brother
My dad is the one to blame for my love to the bike.
Gabriela Betancourt
Sánchez

13. I got to be prepared.
I know the basics when it comes to bike mechanics and I‟m pretty self-
sufficient. I even signed up for a First Aids course.
Gabriela Betancourt
Sánchez

14. I‟ve always loved swimming, so one day I decided to
train seriously and focus on it.
Plus I got to strengthen my arms, my legs are more than OK
Gabriela Betancourt
Sánchez

15. I‟ve managed to get swimming classes at the Olympic Pool (the
one used for the „68 Olympics here in Mexico), but the only time
available was in the morning, before work,
at 6 am!
Gabriela Betancourt
Sánchez

16. So I had to change some habits
and build up more discipline if I
wanted to swim.
Now, I go swimming 3 days a
week and 2 more days for my
bikes.
Gabriela Betancourt
Sánchez

17. I‟m very proud to say that I practice swimming and biking
despite my medical condition.
I depend on two different inhalers every day.
It‟s been a tough road, but I wasn‟t gonna let that stop
me.
And that‟s also has been a good reason to read and
been informed in sport medicine, pulmonology, etc.
Gabriela Betancourt
Sánchez

18. Of course I have my
heros.
The greatest is Lance
Armstrong.
He is such an amazing
guy
Gabriela Betancourt
Sánchez

19. I was really shocked when
he came clean about his
doping this year.
My admiration for him
trembled, and it was hard,
but I have finally come to
understand he is just a man,
not a super man and as an
athelete he made some
mistakes.
But he still beat cancer and
has an admirable cycling
career.
Gabriela Betancourt
Sánchez

20. Bottom line
Cycling and swimming
have given me so much
in my life, that
translates into every
aspect in my life:
Dedication, focus,
discipline, courage,
independence, passion,
skills, team work, good
health, knowledge,
frienship and love.
Gabriela Betancourt
Sánchez