{"id":37920,"date":"2025-10-30T15:15:48","date_gmt":"2025-10-30T19:15:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/?p=37920"},"modified":"2025-10-30T15:15:48","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T19:15:48","slug":"performance-pressure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/cars\/performance-pressure\/","title":{"rendered":"When social media transforms a passion into a performance under pressure"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-transparent ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a5d826e3a2c8\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a5d826e3a2c8\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/cars\/performance-pressure\/#When_Social_Media_Turns_a_Passion_into_a_Performance_Under_Pressure\" >When Social Media Turns a Passion into a Performance Under Pressure<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/cars\/performance-pressure\/#The_Discovery_of_a_Passion\" >The Discovery of a Passion<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/cars\/performance-pressure\/#2024_Season\" >2024 Season<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/cars\/performance-pressure\/#A_Choice_to_Make\" >A Choice to Make<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/cars\/performance-pressure\/#The_Pressure_of_Perfection\" >The Pressure of Perfection<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/cars\/performance-pressure\/#In_Conclusion\" >In Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/cars\/performance-pressure\/#Gab_xx\" >Gab xx<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/cars\/performance-pressure\/#FXR_on_Test_Helium_Helmet_and_Maverick_MX_Goggles\" >FXR on Test : Helium Helmet and Maverick MX Goggles<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/cars\/performance-pressure\/#5_things_to_know_to_start_motocross\" >5 things to know to start motocross<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/cars\/performance-pressure\/#HER_MOTO_X_Off-Road_clothing_designed_100_for_HER_%F0%9F%96%A4\" >HER MOTO X: Off-Road clothing, designed 100% for HER\u00a0\ud83d\udda4<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3 data-start=\"79\" data-end=\"152\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_Social_Media_Turns_a_Passion_into_a_Performance_Under_Pressure\"><\/span>When Social Media Turns a Passion into a Performance Under Pressure<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"168\" data-end=\"491\">Let\u2019s be honest \u2014 we live in a society dictated by social media. Whether it\u2019s beauty standards, performance in sports, or even the most mundane activities, there\u2019s this constant need to please and to appear perfect.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"168\" data-end=\"491\">I never thought it would affect me, but recently I had to take a step back from all of it \u2014 and here\u2019s why.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"498\" data-end=\"530\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Discovery_of_a_Passion\"><\/span>The Discovery of a Passion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"531\" data-end=\"1044\">It all started in 2022 when I decided to try motocross for the first time. After just one lap, I knew I was going to love it. The adrenaline, the challenge, the drive to push myself further with every heat \u2014 all of it hit me harder than I expected.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"531\" data-end=\"1044\">A week later, I bought my very first dirt bike, a Yamaha TT-R 230, to start off slowly.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"531\" data-end=\"1044\">I was able to progress at my own pace, knowing I didn\u2019t have the same power as a full cross bike, but that\u2019s exactly what I needed to build confidence and work on my technique.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\" data-start=\"1046\" data-end=\"1541\"><strong>For those who don\u2019t know, motocross is a <em data-start=\"1087\" data-end=\"1093\">very<\/em> technical sport!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1046\" data-end=\"1541\">Body position is everything \u2014 the attack position, cornering position, jump takeoff and landing\u2026 it\u2019s a lot to master early on if you want to start with good habits.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1046\" data-end=\"1541\">I can\u2019t even count how many times I heard,<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p data-start=\"1046\" data-end=\"1541\">\u201cElbows up, butt out, lean forward in corners, one finger on the brakes\/clutch, look ahead,\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p data-start=\"1046\" data-end=\"1541\">Again and again. And that was great! I wanted to learn the right way so I could improve and one day ride a more powerful bike.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1543\" data-end=\"1909\">That\u2019s also when I started taking my <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/ride_with_gab\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Instagram<\/a> page seriously. I built a wonderful community of people from all over, especially in the motocross world, and shared my learning journey with thousands of followers.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\" data-start=\"1543\" data-end=\"1909\"><strong>My goal was to inspire other women to take up the sport, no matter their age or experience.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=&#8221;37949&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; add_caption=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"1916\" data-end=\"1933\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2024_Season\"><\/span>2024 Season<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"1934\" data-end=\"2293\">It was finally time! The moment had come to switch bikes and take over my boyfriend\u2019s YZ250F since he was planning to upgrade to the new model.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1934\" data-end=\"2293\">I was super excited \u2014 and ready to make the jump. We adjusted the bike to fit my weight, height, and skill level.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1934\" data-end=\"2293\">Still, I knew I\u2019d need time to get used to my new ride\u2026 and those first few laps were, well, rough.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2295\" data-end=\"2570\">I felt like I had never ridden a bike before. I was slower than a snail, struggled to handle the power, and to be 100% honest \u2014 I was terrified. Every heat became a disappointment because I saw <strong data-start=\"2489\" data-end=\"2495\">no<\/strong> improvement at all.<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=&#8221;37951&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; add_caption=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"3329\" data-end=\"3351\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Choice_to_Make\"><\/span>A Choice to Make<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"3352\" data-end=\"3486\">One day, I asked myself: why am I doing this to myself? How could something that used to bring me so much joy now make me miserable?<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3488\" data-end=\"3762\">So I decided to be honest and open up about my struggles to some MX girls I followed on Instagram. They reassured me and gave me great advice to help me improve. I even trained with one of them at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.xtown.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Xtown<\/a>, and for the first time in ages, I actually had <em data-start=\"3739\" data-end=\"3744\">fun<\/em> on my new bike.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3764\" data-end=\"4127\">But once I got back to my usual track, that feeling disappeared.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3764\" data-end=\"4127\">Obviously, not all tracks are the same \u2014 soil type, terrain, weather, layout, and jumps all affect difficulty.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3764\" data-end=\"4127\">The track just 15 minutes from my house is considered more advanced than Xtown\u2019s, and since it\u2019s the one I ride most often, I had no choice but to perform on that track&#8217;s conditions.<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=&#8221;37953&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; add_caption=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4129\" data-end=\"4526\">After many discussions with my boyfriend, colleagues, and friends, I realized that if I wanted to enjoy motocross again, I <strong>needed a different bike. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4129\" data-end=\"4526\">I\u2019d had the chance to test an electric dirt bike a few times \u2014 and each time, I had an absolute blast. I rediscovered the joy of riding, no matter the track conditions. After every heat, I felt proud because I knew I\u2019d ridden better than the last.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4528\" data-end=\"4838\">Instead of worrying about when or where I\u2019d crash, I focused on my body position and riding technique.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\" data-start=\"4528\" data-end=\"4838\">So, I bought a <a href=\"https:\/\/surron.ca\/fr\/pages\/storm-bee?srsltid=AfmBOorwQsl0hlgVD-AkygBuKAn5L9k-6pZXAjOz-NN1kVEuOOXfceHZ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong data-start=\"4646\" data-end=\"4666\">Surron Storm Bee<\/strong><\/a>, a 100% electric motocross bike \u2014 the same one I\u2019d tested before.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4528\" data-end=\"4838\">Choosing an electric bike over a gas one was a personal decision, based on my skills and comfort level.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4840\" data-end=\"4993\"><strong>What I didn\u2019t expect was the pressure that came from social media and the MX community.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=&#8221;37955&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; add_caption=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"5000\" data-end=\"5032\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Pressure_of_Perfection\"><\/span>The Pressure of Perfection<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"5033\" data-end=\"5399\"><em><strong>Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are spaces where everyone shares their version of perfection. <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5033\" data-end=\"5399\">You see motocross riders mastering powerful machines, pulling off big jumps and tricks, and exuding unshakable confidence. But what we forget is that <strong>these photos and videos capture a<\/strong> <strong>single moment \u2014 carefully chosen, edited, and far from everyday reality.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5401\" data-end=\"5830\">Still, this kind of content creates unrealistic expectations for regular people. By choosing an electric bike, I felt like I was stepping away from that image. Some comments and subtle digs implied my choice was \u201ctoo easy,\u201d that I\u2019d given up too soon, that I\u2019d bought a toy \u2014 not a real bike \u2014 and that I wasn\u2019t a \u201cREAL\u201d rider.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5401\" data-end=\"5830\">Then came the endless comparisons between gas and electric bikes \u2014 often with a condescending tone.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5832\" data-end=\"6120\">These comments, coming from people who don\u2019t even know me, really made me think. <strong>Why should I have to meet <em data-start=\"5939\" data-end=\"5946\">their<\/em> standards? Why should <em data-start=\"5969\" data-end=\"5976\">their<\/em> opinions matter more than my experience?<\/strong> You might say it\u2019s part of the game when you put yourself out there \u2014 and that\u2019s not entirely wrong.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"6122\" data-end=\"6378\">Social media can be inspiring, but it can also become a courtroom where users judge others\u2019 choices without knowing the full story.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\" data-start=\"6122\" data-end=\"6378\"><strong>Too often, we forget that behind every screen, there\u2019s a real person with their own challenges, strengths, and weaknesses.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"6385\" data-end=\"6404\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"In_Conclusion\"><\/span>In Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"6405\" data-end=\"6605\">Want to know the truth? My goal in life is simple \u2014 <strong data-start=\"6457\" data-end=\"6473\">to have fun!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"6405\" data-end=\"6605\">I don\u2019t race, I don\u2019t plan on doing crazy jumps, and all I want is to leave the track feeling proud because I know I\u2019ve improved.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"6607\" data-end=\"6958\">Not mastering the YZ250F wasn\u2019t a failure \u2014 it was me <strong>accepting my limits<\/strong>. In the end, I chose the electric bike because<strong> I want to ride for me, not to fit an image or meet anyone else\u2019s expectations<\/strong>. Maybe I didn\u2019t conquer the gas bike, but instead of quitting or feeling sorry for myself, I found a solution that lets me keep doing what I love.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"6960\" data-end=\"7161\">That, to me, is real success: moving forward at my own pace, staying true to who I am, no matter what others think.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\" data-start=\"6960\" data-end=\"7161\"><strong>And honestly, that\u2019s the real challenge of our world today \u2014 staying authentic.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7163\" data-end=\"7332\">I do want to mention that my friends and the people who truly know me have supported me every step of the way \u2014 no judgment at all \u2665\ufe0f<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=&#8221;37957&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; add_caption=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7334\" data-end=\"7491\">I felt it was important to share this experience because I know I\u2019m not the only one who\u2019s been through something similar \u2014 no matter the sport or passion.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7493\" data-end=\"7630\">In the end, what really matters? The type of bike I ride \u2014 or the fact that I\u2019m out there enjoying the sport just like any other rider?<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7632\" data-end=\"7834\">With this article, I just want to remind everyone who\u2019s ever felt judged for their choices: social media is only part of the story.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7632\" data-end=\"7834\">Yours is <strong data-start=\"7773\" data-end=\"7783\">unique<\/strong>, and no one has the right to rewrite it for you.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7836\" data-end=\"7869\">See you next time!<\/p>\n<h1 align=\"left\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Gab_xx\"><\/span><em>Gab xx<\/em><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=&#8221;37959&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; add_caption=&#8221;yes&#8221;][vc_cta h2=&#8221;These articles could also be of interest&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"penci-entry-title entry-title grid-title\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FXR_on_Test_Helium_Helmet_and_Maverick_MX_Goggles\"><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/motorcycles-en\/fxr-on-test-helmet-maverick-mx-goggles\/\">FXR on Test : Helium Helmet and Maverick MX Goggles<\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h2 class=\"penci-entry-title entry-title grid-title\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_things_to_know_to_start_motocross\"><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/motorcycles-en\/5-things-to-start-motocross\/\">5 things to know to start motocross<\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h2 class=\"penci-entry-title entry-title grid-title\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"HER_MOTO_X_Off-Road_clothing_designed_100_for_HER_%F0%9F%96%A4\"><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/motorcycles-en\/her-moto-x-women-gear\/\">HER MOTO X: Off-Road clothing, designed 100% for HER\u00a0\ud83d\udda4<\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>[\/vc_cta][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] When Social Media Turns a Passion into a Performance&hellip;","protected":false},"author":67,"featured_media":37961,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1774,1773,1764,1771,1775],"tags":[2506,4233,2205,2353],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37920"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/67"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37920"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37920\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/37961"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37920"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37920"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37920"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}