Sonya’s Story
HOWDY!
Sonya Looney is a World Champion mountain biker with nearly two decades of elite racing experience across 25+ countries, earning titles like 4x USA National Champion and World Champion in 2015. Her unique background combines endurance sports with a deep expertise in positive psychology, holding a Master’s in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and a Master’s in Electrical Engineering with a focus on Neuroscience.
Driven by her passion for personal growth and well-being, Sonya focuses on helping high performers navigate perfectionism and balanced striving while cultivating vitality, purpose, and resilience. Known for her infectious energy and relentless curiosity, she is a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC) dedicated to guiding others toward meaningful accomplishments—without burning out.
Through her work as a TEDx speaker, podcast host, consultant, writer, and professional speaker, Sonya brings her knowledge and experiences to life. As the host of The Sonya Looney Show, she inspires listeners by diving into topics like grit, mindset, self-worth, purpose, success, and healthy striving. Her athletic and academic journeys, from becoming a World Champion to studying positive psychology, have equipped her with profound insights into the intersection of high performance and well-being.
As a Professional Athlete, Mental Performance Coach, and Positive Psychology Expert, Sonya’s story is one of persistence and self-belief. She has raced in some of the most challenging endurance events in the world—from the Sahara Desert to the Himalayas—and uses those experiences to empower others to discover their best selves. Motivated by curiosity, gratitude, and a love for learning, Sonya continues to push her limits and help others achieve extraordinary things through their own hard work, consistency, and optimism.
“My goal is to help people unlock their potential,
enjoy challenges, feel fulfilled, and strive from a healthy place!
Sonya LooneyHow did it happen?
I was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and have always been fueled by a deep curiosity about life. Growing up, I played tennis, soccer, and was a band nerd for six years while focusing on academics. I never identified as an “athlete” until college, when I started cycling as cross-training for marathon running. In 2003, I began with spin classes at the gym, but once I found mountain biking, I was completely hooked!
After earning my BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of New Mexico in 2005, I moved to Boulder, Colorado for graduate school. That’s where my journey really started to take shape. I raced my first full season as a pro mountain biker in 2006, focusing on XC racing.
In 2007, I completed my Master’s in Electrical & Biomedical Engineering with a focus in Neuroscience, and I started working as a solar design engineer for a start-up in Boulder. While I enjoyed the culture and the versatility of the role, my passion for mountain biking and marketing led me to pivot my career. I transitioned into a marketing role in the bike industry and never looked back.
In 2014, I took the leap to leave my marketing job and go full-time managing myself as an athlete. That step led to multiple small businesses evolving, and I’ve been on an entrepreneurial journey ever since. Learning how to race professionally was one challenge, but learning how to grow and scale businesses has been my next adventure!
In 2021, I earned my Health and Wellness Coaching Certificate from Vanderbilt University and became a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC), which is part of the National Medical Board. This credential has helped me expand my work as a coach, specializing in helping high achievers cultivate vitality, purpose, and resilience while performing at a high level.
In 2024, I completed my Master’s in Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) from the University of Pennsylvania, earning an Award of Distinction for my research on perfectionism and meaningful accomplishment. This work solidified my commitment to merging performance psychology with positive psychology to help others find fulfillment and well-being in their pursuits.
Today, I host the Sonya Looney Show, a podcast dedicated to the intersection of high performance and well-being. I get to interview experts in psychology, nutrition, physiology, and accomplished athletes, and has been top ranked podcast in Mental Health and in Fitness and Nutrition. The most rewarding part of the podcast has been how it has impacted people’s lives.
Cycling has taught me
RESILIENCE,
MENTAL TOUGHNESS,
and...
How to deal with failure
The value of patience and consistency
The importance of mindfulness
To laugh at myself
How to make friends with fear
How to be more confident
What it means to be brave
Realistic optimism and perseverance are the keys to success in any situation
the most important things in life are personal relationships and a growth mindset and there is only person responsible for living the life you want; YOU.
My slogan “Be Brave. Do Epic Shit” is about breaking outside your comfort zone and trying on new challenges and experiences that you’ve always wanted to do. Along the journey, there are always ups and downs, but being curious about our mindset is what makes it interesting. There are times I’ve been frustrated and wanted to give up, but that’s where the real opportunity to dig a little deeper has given me strength and shown me what I’m capable of.
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All the best!
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