Can't help but reflect on the good, the bad, and the muddy from my ROOKIE year as we kickstart our preparations for the 2026 Rebelle Rally

Here we are, starting February already, and both Mom and I are knee-deep in plans and ideas for 2026. Our deposit is paid, and our first actual $5K payment is right around the corner. Our registration has been approved, and we are updating socials, ordering, and designing merch. October seems so far away, but it’s also quickly approaching. It’s crazy because I didn’t even know what the Rebelle was until May-ish of last year—my 2025 rookie year debut.

Let’s be honest, though. Out of the two of us, my rockstar mother was way more invested in getting us to the start line than I was. It’s not that I didn’t care; I just didn’t know what I got myself into. I did not truly understand what the Rebelle was until we got there. Whew! We were not as prepared as we thought we were. Somehow, we managed to finish it, only partially unscathed.

Reflecting on the Journey

Before we dive into the end of 2025, let’s reflect on the road to the start. That May, my world was pretty dark. I had started the long journey of cutting out all the toxic things and people in my life. Everything was in shambles. My dog and cat had nowhere to go. As much as I contemplated switching to van life, I couldn’t do that to my babies. So, with my tail tucked between my legs, moving back in with Mom and family felt like failure. Yet, it was my only option. This is where my Rebelle story truly begins.

Summer 2025: A Whirlwind of Change

We don’t need to get into the details, but trust me, it was quite a whirlwind. I committed to the Rebelle shortly after I came home. I was struggling financially, emotionally, and mentally. The whole time, Mom was chugging away—training, meeting mentors, and sponsors. She was doing what she had been doing long before I even knew what a navigation rally meant.

In March 2024, she participated in a Rebelle U training with a friend. They planned to do the Rebelle together, but as life does, things changed. One day, Mom looked at me and said, “You’re smart; you can read a map. You should be my navigator!” The next few weeks went by, and while I was committed, I basically fell back into my routine: work, eat, sleep, repeat.

By the end of July, I found myself in an unhealthy work environment and looking for a new job—all while trying to ensure we were on track to make it to California and hit the start line. There’s nothing worse than watching a leadership team take advantage and crumble a company you love to work for.

Those moments changed how I viewed the Rebelle and how little I was putting into becoming a part of it. The summer wound down, and I found myself at a crossroads again. Working for a new company, both my animals and I were showing improvements in health and happiness. My family had let me spiral out of control but took me in, allowing me to sort my life out. Bonus points: they hadn’t killed me yet or, worse, kicked me out.

Fall 2025: Crunch Time

August and September were where things got real. It felt like the crunch-time anxiety I used to give myself back in school when I left projects to the last minute. Final decisions and payments needed to be made. The truck was torn apart, waiting for a new chassis, Pirelli tires, sliders, and all kinds of other upgrades. We had a laundry list of things to take care of.

This is where I can officially say I learned one of my first lessons as a rookie: Prepare better. And so much earlier! We failed miserably on a few things. I especially dropped the ball with the decals/wrap for the truck, our socials, and team shirts—important stuff like that. Sure, we pulled something together, but it wasn’t our vision. Ah, well, lessons learned, right?

Looking back now, I had no idea how much time and effort went into getting us there, especially as a privateer team. We definitely have a better handle on how much work needs to be done to ensure we don’t show up looking like rookies all over again. But I’d be lying if I didn’t mention how terrifying that is.

The Empowering Experience of the Rebelle

The Rebelle does something to women that we can’t explain to anyone who hasn’t experienced it. All I can compare it to is empowerment. It gives me a reason to be passionate about something. That’s what being a Rebelle is all about. The rally is a competition, not a race, designed to push women to their absolute limits. Sure, you’re competing against some pretty badass women, but you also get the chance to test yourself.

If you want to hear more about my reflections on my rookie year and the roller coaster that 2026 rally prep brings, please follow along. Next time, I plan to continue my story and focus on The Nor'easters' "rally before the rally," which made up the days leading into our arrival at the beautiful resort in Mammoth Lakes, California, and the adventure of our first tech inspection.

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