Episode 6 – The Sofi Reinoso Story: Carving a Path from Veracruz, Mexico to the Olympic Stage

Show Notes

In this episode of Following Waters, host Brett Mayer sits down with Sofi Reinoso, a two-time Olympian, Pan American Games medalist, and the first Mexican canoe slalom paddler to win a medal at an ICF event.

Sofi shares her journey from growing up around the rivers of Veracruz, Mexico, to competing on the world’s biggest stage in Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. Along the way, she talks about what first drew her to paddling, the challenges of training with limited resources, and how the river continues to shape her vision for life on and off the water.

This conversation dives into the lived experience of being a paddler at the highest level, highlighting the four phases of the whitewater journey — initiating, deepening, imagining, and appreciating — and how Sofi’s story embodies each one.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Sofi’s first encounters with the rivers of Tlapacoyan and how she got her start in kayaking
• The mentors and community who helped her deepen her skills and identity as a paddler
• The challenges of representing Mexico internationally and training without consistent support
• The meaning and possibility she’s discovered through paddling — on the water and in life
• Her reflections on gratitude, responsibility, and being a role model for the next generation of paddlers

Links & Resources:

• Follow Sofi Reinoso on Instagram
• International Canoe Federation – Athlete Profile

Connect with the Show:

• Follow Following Waters on Instagram: @followingwaters
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
• Share your story: Reach out via Instagram if your life has been shaped by the water

Mentioned in this episode:

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