Pedals, Passion & Purpose with Former Pro Cyclist Jess Cerra

Jess Cerra’s story is one of resilience, grit, and community. Born and raised in Whitefish, Montana, Jess never saw herself as an athlete growing up. But after an unexpected VO2 max test in grad school revealed her Olympic-level potential, she found her way into cycling and triathlon—despite starting out in gym shorts and mismatched pedals. Her career took her from Xterra triathlons to professional road racing, overcoming serious health setbacks along the way.Beyond racing, Jess co-founded The Last Best Ride, a gravel cycling event in Montana that not only brings riders together but also funds scholarships for local students. She’s also driving innovation at Alete Active Nutrition, shaping products built by athletes for athletes.This episode dives into Jess’s journey from humble beginnings to pro cycling, entrepreneurship, and community impact—reminding us that determination, passion, and hard work can open doors we never imagined.Get 20% off Alete Active Nutrition with code LIFEINMOTION20Life in Motion is brought to you by Actual Outdoors. They help build beautiful brands that highlight the approachable and authentic parts of outdoor recreation. Said simply - they “keep it real”. Find them online at actualoutdoors.com or on Instagram at @actualoutdoors.Tweet us and let us know what you think of this episode! @illuminecollectFind more episodes at www.illuminecollect.com/blogs/life-in-motion-podcastSince 2017 Illumine has donated over $50,093 to outdoor nonprofits and shared over 248 stories on the Life in Motion Podcast.