GETTING COOKING
My grandmother was the one who supported me with finding my way out into the world. She also got meal most all of my kitchen items when I moved into my first apartment.
DEFYING EXPECTATIONS
When people hear “runner,” they often have preconceived notions of what that is. I think everyone should be a runner! I’m not fast — but can keep an even pace.
RACING GOALS
Since I started, I’ve run many miles all over the world, and plan on continuing until I’m the eighty-year-old passing the twenty-something during a marathon.
TO START, TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A MARATHON RUNNER.
In my mid-twenties, I was really bored with the gym. After watching a former roommate run a half marathon, I thought: I can do that! Roughly six months later, I ran in the San Diego Marathon. Since then, I’ve run many miles all over the world, and plan on continuing until I’m the eighty-year-old passing the twenty-something during a marathon.
ARE THERE ASPECTS OF AN ATHLETE MINDSET THAT YOU BRING TO VMG?
I’m not a fast runner—but can keep an even pace. With work tasks I try to have that mindset, because you cannot sprint a marathon! Looking at everything with a longer lens allows me to prioritize the end goal.
SO LOOKING BACK, WHO IN YOUR LIFE HAS HAD THE STRONGEST INFLUENCE ON YOU?
My grandmother was profoundly special to me. She taught me so many life skills, and many of my favorite things are ones she shared with me, like homemade almond roca for the holidays and plants and gardening. She was also the one who supported me in finding my way out into the world.
AMAZING. IS THERE A PERSONAL CHALLENGE YOU’VE TAKEN ON THAT YOU’RE MOST PROUD OF?
Undertaking my first Ironman. The scale (2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and 26.2-mile run) was beyond what I could comprehend at first. But after I finally signed up, every moment of the race was so fun. My family and friends were there when I came down the chute, and when I heard the words, “April Hill, YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!” my sense of pride was one of the strongest feelings in my life!
LET’S TALK ABOUT WORK. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE VMG BRAND (PAST OR PRESENT) AND WHY?
We work with so many wonderful brands at VMG, but Spindrift is my favorite! The product is incredible and the Spindrift team is so kind—they were exactly what I expected when I was told how wonderful all of our founders are.
WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO WORKING AT VMG?
I knew I wanted to work somewhere where people care about you as an individual. That can be hard to find, but the people at VMG are unique. Everyone at VMG is smart and works hard, but it’s a special environment of kindness within our little VMG family.
SO THEY GIVE YOU LOTS OF WORDS OF SUPPORT?
Oh yeah. It’s like hearing “April, you are an Ironman!” on the daily.
