Tell us about your family.Mark: Cheryl and I were married in 1980. Jeremy is our oldest child; Nick came 3 years later, and Alise was 8 years after that. We were sort of surprised with Alise, selling off all the baby stuff at a garage sale not knowing Cheryl was pregnant with Alise. I would say we are a close family unit involved in each other’s lives, even as adults. Nick married Kim Evavold in 2005 and now has 3 girls, Kaya, Kali and Khloe. Alise brought the young Australian boy Sam Willoughby into our lives in 2008. He needed a place to live in the U.S. to explore his BMX dreams, that’s all. Sam and Alise married in 2017. Cheryl never got to meet Khloe, it was devastating to lose Cheryl to cancer in 2014, the same year Khloe was born. Cheryl was the leader of our family and lived life in a very positive and giving way. Her loss is felt deeply by all every day. She left a great legacy and an example of how to live life to the fullest for all of us. Alise: I feel very lucky to have a family that will always be there for me. They test my patience at times for sure, but I love our chaos and wouldn’t change it – We are the full spectrum of personalities! While we definitely have our differences, we ultimately enjoy the same simple things in life. Nothing flashy but we show up for each other, and I think that’s the most important thing you can have in this life. How does it feel to compete in the Olympics?Alise: It’s an incredible honor to represent your country on the global stage. There’s honestly nothing like it! For me, BMX racing has taken me further than I ever could’ve dreamed as a little girl from small town MN, competing in a male dominant sport that was not part of the Olympics, or even a professional career option for women at the time. So, it’s pretty crazy to think how far my journey and the entire sport has come since that first day when I was scared to ride down the starting hill at the track 27 years ago. How does it feel to have a daughter compete in the Olympics?Mark: Very proud and always ready to brag her up! It is such a compliment to be known in the BMX community as Alise’s Dad. To have accomplished making the Olympic BMX team once is huge, to have done it 4 times is unbelievable. It speaks to her perseverance through injuries and dedication to her training. What has the experience of watching your daughter compete in the Olympics been like?Mark: Nerve racking. I know she put the work in and deserves the result, but it is not a given. Everyone competing at that level has worked hard to get there and they all have their own stories. Favorite memories growing up?Mark: Fishing with my dad on Clearwater Lake, we slaughtered the crappies. Also, going to the cabin for a week in the summer with the family. How has your family contributed to the person you are?Mark: I was the youngest of 5 growing up. My Mom and Dad had 40 hour a week jobs and money was not always available for everything us kids wanted to do. Being the youngest, I was a little more spoiled. I had a lot of freedom thanks to my brothers and sisters “breaking in” my parents. I was the only one that got involved in athletics, spending all my spare time playing with the neighborhood kids and eventually school sports. That created friendships that shaped who I am. Favorite moments as a parent?Mark: Seeing my kids and grandkids succeed. Favorite memories of your children when they were young?Mark: All of it. Favorite memories growing up?Alise: Piling in the minivan with my mom and older brother and his friends to the track. What advice do you have for someone with Olympic aspirations?Mark: It doesn’t happen without a plan and a willingness to sacrifice to get there. You must enjoy the journey. When did you realize Alise was at the level to compete in the Olympics and going to the Olympics was a reasonable goal for your daughter?Mark: After she turned pro at 15 years old and won the USA title. The first time BMX was in the Olympics was in 2008 and Alise was 17 years old and you had to be 19 years old to compete. What advice do you have about goals?Mark: Write them down, long term and steps to get there. Evaluate and reset as necessary. What does it take to raise your level of performance?Mark: Attention to every detail. What is most important to you?Mark: Being happy and sharing it with everyone I meet. What advice do you have for people facing adversity?Mark: Deal with it the best you can. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. The sun will come up tomorrow. How does your family inspire you?Mark: Since Cheryl passed, they are my inspiration. Advice for children with a vision for greatness?Mark: Hopefully visions of greatness are in all children. Some are lucky enough to have it come to them, others go and get it. I think more often it is taken by those who go after it. What type of work is involved to make it to the Olympics?Mark: For me, having a daughter and son-in-law do the work and I just have to get a flight and a ticket to the event. What encouragement do you have for parents?Mark: Support your children in whatever activities they decide to partake in, they are always looking for your approval. What is the greatest hope for your children?Mark: To be successful and happy in their lives. Best piece of advice you’ve ever received, and/or your advice for parents?Mark: Always drown people with kindness, no matter how they are acting toward you. (Cheryl Post)
