Sports Stars Making a Social Impact: Why & How Alexa Score Pro Wakeboarder Is Helping To Change Our World
Social media platforms are obviously great places to share stories, connect with people, and raise awareness for important topics. I do my best to share my journey in an authentic and candid way with my followers while still making sure it’s not my entire identity. I want people to know that their challenges are important but they don’t have to define who you are. Stay tuned for MasterCraft and St. Jude’s “Surf to Save Lives” campaign content.
As a part of our series about sports stars who are making a social impact, I had the pleasure of interviewing Alexa Score: Pro Wakeboarder, MasterCraft Athlete & Cancer Survivor Making Waves With ‘Surf to Save Lives’ Campaign.
Alexa Score is a professional wakeboarder, TV Host, and childhood cancer survivor who uses her platform to raise money and awareness for charities. 2024 marks the 2nd year Alexa will be the official spokesperson for MasterCraft’s ‘Surf to Save Lives’ campaign in partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you share with us the “backstory” that led you to your career path in professional sports?
I grew up on a lake in a small Minnesota town where I fell in love with the water. I joined the local water ski show team when I was nine and performed with them for ten years. In my early teens, my sister came home from college for summer and introduced me to wakeboarding. Being a gymnast and a water lover, it was a combination of two of my favorite things, and I was hooked immediately. At age 16 I was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (cancer of the blood) and wasn’t sure how long I was going to live. That’s when I set my sights on graduating high school early, so I could move to Orlando, Florida to wakeboard year-round. At that time, I really just wanted to be on the water — competing wasn’t necessarily the goal, but after moving and continuing to feel healthy and strong, I started taking my wakeboarding more seriously. I competed in my first pro contest on my 21st birthday.
Can you share the funniest or most interesting story that occurred to you in the course of your career? What were the lessons or takeaways that you took out of that story?
I ended up on the cover of a movie, “2 Headed Shark Attack” and was eaten in the opening scene by a two-headed shark. You just never know where you might end up! Never say never, haha.
What would you advise a young person who wants to emulate your success?
Work hard and be kind! Relationships are an integral part of finding success in any industry, and the sports industry is no different. You can be the best athlete in the world but if people don’t like to work with you, you will likely miss out on a lot of opportunities.
Is there a person that made a profound impact on your life? Can you share a story?
My sister, Tiff! I’ve always looked up to my sister for many reasons. Being 9 years older than me, she’s been my mentor my entire life and is someone I have always been able to count on. When I wanted to move to Florida so I could wakeboard at age 17, she moved with me and helped me establish a community there. She’s always encouraged me to follow my dreams and has supported me along the way.
What are the “myths” that you would like to dispel about what it is like being a professional sports player?
There is a lot of hard work that happens behind the scenes! As a sports player, people typically only see your “performances” but rarely see all of the hard work that goes on to get there.
Ok super. Let’s now move to the main part of our discussion. How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world? Can you share with us the meaningful or exciting causes you are working on right now?
I’m involved with numerous cancer-related organizations, including the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, BeTheMatch and others. One of my favorite campaigns I’m currently a part of is “Surf to Save Lives”, which is a partnership between MasterCraft Boat Company and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. For every minute people spend on the water, logged on the MasterCraft Connect App, MasterCraft will donate one dollar to St. Jude. MasterCraft’s philanthropic campaign with St. Jude is so special to me because being on the water was what got me through my darkest times battling cancer, so to be able to raise money for such an incredible cause by promoting on-water activities is a dream come true!
What methods are you using to most effectively share your cause with the world?
Social media platforms are obviously great places to share stories, connect with people, and raise awareness for important topics. I do my best to share my journey in an authentic and candid way with my followers while still making sure it’s not my entire identity. I want people to know that their challenges are important but they don’t have to define who you are. Stay tuned for MasterCraft and St. Jude’s “Surf to Save Lives” campaign content.
Can you share with us the story behind why you chose to take up this particular cause?
I’ve been living with Leukemia for over 17 years. It’s a unique situation because it’s not common to be “living with” cancer. However, because of modern medicine, I am able to take a targeted chemotherapy pill that keeps the cancer at a controlled level. It’s really important to me to use my platform and my story to encourage other people facing hardship. I want people to know they can live meaningful and fulfilled lives despite less than ideal circumstances.
Can you share with us a story about a person who was impacted by your cause?
I get messages regularly on social media from people with CML or other chronic illnesses who say my story has inspired them in some way. It’s extremely humbling to hear that your story has helped someone else, and it’s what motivates me to continue sharking and working to create awareness.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
I would encourage people to spend more time in nature! It’s so important to disconnect from technology and be in the present moment every now and then. Whether it’s a hike, a boat ride, or just sitting in a park, connecting with nature, family, and friends is very important.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you explain how that was relevant in your life?
“But man is not made for defeat. A man can be destroyed but not defeated.” This is from Ernest Hemingway’s “Old Man and the Sea”. What it means to me is that no matter what happens to you, no one and no thing can take your will to live. You always have what’s inside of you.
We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Politics, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them 🙂
Richard Branson. How do you make it all happen and have so much fun at the same time?!
How can our readers follow you online?
My handle is @alexascore on all platforms 🙂
Thank you so much for these amazing insights. This was so inspiring
Sports Stars Making a Social Impact: Why & How Alexa Score Pro Wakeboarder Is Helping To Change Our… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.