We were lucky to catch up with Mandy McClaren recently and have shared our conversation below.
Mandy , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
While I have multiple missions, each and every one of those missions is meaningful to me because I want to break the mold for all females in male dominated industries.
Mandy , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am a mother of 5, married to my husband Eric for almost 10 years now, Type 1 Diabetic, former beauty queen, and Off-Road Race Car Driver. I am a driver for a non profit group called On Mission Motorsports. We put Veterans, First Responders, & active duty military in our cars as co-drivers for adrenaline therapy. I have recently got into starting a podcast/blog and apparel called Live Fast Stay Pretty My husband came up with the slogan because it defines me. I love to Live Fast but I am very girly which throws people off when I jump in the driver seat of a car. Which is where the Stay Pretty comes in. Women in male industries are unicorns. I wanted to showcase those women and their strengths and a platform to talk about the challenges we face. I hope it takes off and grows and becomes so much more and an inspiration to others. I have a good friend who started a podcast and does live castings of his show called The Dirt Life Show. George gets to talk and do things that we as drivers all want to be a part of. It’s a dream to get to be on his show as an off-road racer. While the SXS racing world has its own celebrities as any other sport everyone jumps in to coach, turn wrenches, or just hang out. It’s a sport of comradery that’s amazing to be apart of.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Resilience is key in SXS racing. You get knocked down, you break your car, you flatten a tire, you wreck. Crazy things happen but you fix, rebuild, regain strength and keep going.
Have you ever had to pivot?
I thought I was going to be an excellent fast driver. I’m sure my head was huge my first race. I thought I am going to flying in my SXS. My first lap time was an hour long when everyone elses was around 30 mins or so. Needless to say it’s so hard and yes some people are talented and can just do it but I was not that person. I developed fear that I didn’t know I had. I had to learn to go against how my body wanted to react and just not think and do. I have had people ride with me and coach me which has helped me get out of my comfort zone so much. I have to thank my husband Eric(pit-dad) of course, Chad Shumaker (my teammate) Jeff Goldsmith(team president) & Chris Blaise(sponsored Can-Am Driver) his wife Patty, & his mechanic Taylor. I could not have accomplished learning the car without these specific people.
Contact Info:
- Website: onmissionmotorsports.org
- Instagram: therealmrs_mcclaren
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mandy.dunn.5036?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandy-mcclaren-664a7320a?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app