Hello everyone, I just wanted to introduce myself before I start on my first column for ABILITY Magazine. My name is Ashley Fiolek, I am 18 years old, I was born deaf and I live in St. Augustine, Florida. I am a women’s professional motocross racer, and I race the WMA (which is a ... Read more
Ashley’s Column — ESPY Time!
Circa 2010 My life as an athlete doesn’t just mean that I get to race around a track. There are other perks to the job, too. Sometimes I get a chance to dress up and go out in style! This year I was nominated both for an ESPY and for a Teen Choice Award! ... Read more
Ashley’s Column — Perfecting My Poker Face
Circa 2010 The last couple of months have been pretty busy ones for me. I have been getting ready for my season to start while launching my new book, Kicking Up Dirt. As if that weren’t enough, I’ve also had to fulfill some sponsorship agreements. It is never dull around my house! I ... Read more
Ashley’s Column — Maintaining My Edge
Circa 2010 Well, I’ve just started training and riding again for the 2010 season. After my crash last year, I took some down time so that my broken collarbone could heal. But just because I wasn’t racing doesn’t mean I wasn’t keeping busy. Whenever I have time off, my parents and I try and ... Read more
ASHLEY’S COLUMN — Girls Ride
Circa 2010-11 Did you all have a great holiday? It’s still pretty hot down here in Florida. I get to wear shorts and no coats, so that’s been pretty nice. Even when I’m enjoying time off from racing there’s plenty going on! A couple of weeks ago, a crew from CBS’s Courage in Sports ... Read more
Ashley’s Column — Abroad with Down Time
Circa 2009-10 We’re in the middle of what is called “down time” in women’s motocross. This means we’re done with our racing season and that I won’t start back up again until April, when I head on over to Europe to race in the women’s FIM racing series. As you might remember, I broke ... Read more
ASHLEY FIOLEK — Teen MotoCrosser Zooms Ahead
“Because she’s deaf…she never heard people tell her it was impossible,” said Jim Fiolek as he stood alongside the motocross track in Lake Elsinore, CA, watching his daughter, Ashley, ride. And yet, something tells us that it wouldn’t have slowed her down even if she had heard. By the age of 17, Ashley had ... Read more
Ashley’s Column — Stop The Presses
Circa 2009 I am sitting in downtown LA right now at my hotel which is about ten minutes away from the Home Depot Center. I am one of the many athletes waiting to take part in X Games 15. This is my second year invited to attend, but my first year competing because I ... Read more