We are so proud to announce Linnae O’Neil as a Paradis Pro ambassador. Linnae primarily considers herself a runner, but she loves to be outside in general: hiking, biking, swimming, really everything that Vermont has to offer. She is currently training for her 14th marathon at California International this December, which is a bucket list event for her. Beyond that, Linnae is the co-founder of Chug Water alongside her brother Cullen, and the Community Manager at UnTapped. She thrives off of making connections with people, and that comes even easier when activity is involved. She also really loves ice cream, and her summer creemee order is a maple black raspberry twist with rainbow sprinkles (always rainbow sprinkles).
Linnae is outstanding at bringing people together and building connections and community. Whether it be conning 20 people to come to a Tuesday hotdog night at Pro Pig, or building the attendance at the Stowe Neon Wave run club, she is a natural at drawing people together for community activities. Her passion for work and play and her natural enthusiasm is contagious.
Linnae explained why she was drawn to Paradis Sport, “I am excited to be a Paradis Sport ambassador because I believe in the power of empowering other women to be active and embrace their bodies while also being comfortable in their clothing. I've always wanted to be part of a women-led community with the goal of encouraging and embracing our bodies and the power of movement. I believe this is what Paradis Sport stands for and is built upon. I'm also a very tactile person and this underwear is THE softest. It also moves with you, while also not budging beneath your shorts.”
Linnae has recently broken past barriers in running that she did not know she was capable of. Last spring, on a whim, she signed up the night before for the Vermont City Marathon and was the eighth female finisher. Last fall she ran two marathons two weeks apart, and after not being happy with the result of the first one, she PR'ed the second one by over five minutes. She hopes to run Boston 2025, which has been a goal since her first marathon in 2014.
Linnae explained her outlook on success, “I believe success is competing against yourself and striving to do better every day. It won't always be linear, but if you keep going and continue to work at your goals, you can achieve them. I always say that for the most part I don't care what other people are running or how they did compared to me in that race, but I want to look back and see that I've made progress for myself over time. Whether it be weeks, months, or years - my strongest competition is myself.”
On motivation: “I've also never looked back and thought "Whoa, I wish I hadn't gone running today." I almost always feel better after moving outside. The people around me inspire me. Aliza Lapierre tackling Cocodona 250. Ted King getting back on his bike and training the hell out of the last Vermont winter. Kim Lord having surgery last summer and running a marathon at the one year mark to celebrate her rehab and progress. We all have our own stories, and our own lives, and yet people still do big things, and with kindness. That inspires me.”
Thank you, Linnae for bringing the community together with your energy and enthusiasm, showing relentless determination to continue to grow and reach your goals and for lifting others up in the process. We are so happy to welcome you to the Paradis Pro team.
