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Profiles
 Lafondation
The essence of Michelle
It’s the long, easy, graceful strides that grab you. Effortless,
mostly. At the track. Stadium steps. Along white sandy beaches. Then
there are the smooth, silky strokes as if swimming forever. Pool or
Pacific. Perfect form on the fiery red racing bike complete the “tri-cycle” for
this Santa Barbara native - Michelle Lafond.
And don’t let her naturally beautiful looks fool you – underneath
is a competitive spirit synchronized with the heart of a champion.
Seven years in with M4L; Michelle savors the taste of training almost
as much she does the camaraderie, friendships and taste of coffee,
conversation afterwards. For her, it’s not so much the destination,
a la Santa Barbara Triathlon, as it is the journey.
“Sometimes I race. Sometimes I don’t. This past year
I didn’t, but it’s been a wonderful training season. Maybe
my best ever,” she sez.
Athletic talent blossomed early – first as a young gymnast
from Montecito Union School. 2nd Grade. And years later, Michelle
parlayed these specialized tumbling and airborne skills into the pool
as a Santa Barbara Don -- but not so much a swimmer, as a decorated
CIF diver.
“It really was an easy transition.” she sez. “Especially
since my gymnastics coach was also my dive coach.” College was
first San Diego, then back to her beloved SB roots. Soon, the lure
of a buying gig for her dad, yes, THE Pierre of the Pierre Lafond/Wendy
Foster Empire – provided exciting times learning, living, breathing
the fashion industry with frequent bi-coastal commuting in quest for
new styles and high-fashion with local appeal.
Michelle fondly recalls many earlier trips closer to home – Buellton
family treks with her three siblings, Mom and Dad to what is now a
cornerstone of the family biz - Lafond Vineyard with its 100+ acres
of pristine property her pioneer dad helped cultivate into the region’s
award-winning wine industry. And it’s a fun journey she still
lovingly makes to lend a helping hand when need be and to enjoy the
many fruits of the family’s labors with special friends,
Michelle balances an active lifestyle with a full flavor of family,
community, workouts and friends. Her two wonderful children and their
many activities keep her mucho bizzy! And she’s a regular on
campus from prepping “Friday Folders” for Mountain View
students to serving LaColina lunches.
Throw in brief respites to her Mexico retreat and you get the picture.
Daughter Madeleine (12) and son Ben (10) showcase similar athletic
prowess. Madeleine demonstrates true promise as a swimmer, training
with USA Olympic Open Water Swimmer & cool local dude, Mark Warkentin.
Ben lights it up as an AYSO scoring machine, while often delivering
a most perfect pass for an easy assist to a wide-open teammate. Same
thing in hoops.
Michelle also savors her daily morning four-to-six mile jogs with
her iPod tunes. Pilates and personal training, along with M4L, all
keep her figure youthful and her perspective healthy.
“I’m very fortunate to have grown up in such a beautiful
place and to raise my kids here, Plus, I’m surrounded by many
wonderful friends,” she sez. “I have a great life.”
Over the years she’s learned to live more in-the-moment and
take whatever comes her way, all in stride.
Yes, those long, easy, graceful ones also branded LAFOND…
____________________
Randy Weiss | Santa Barbara | January 2010
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