Influencer & Dirt Biking Enthusiast, Katie Sigmond
Where is your favorite place to travel?
My favorite place to travel is probably Tennessee because it feels like home. I have made a ton of friends and met so many genuine people out there; we go dirt biking, quading, golfing, and—my personal favorite—bonfires. I also went on a beautiful lake trip with a private island (with goats) that we rode to on jet skis. When I'm older, I can definitely see myself settling down and raising my kids there.
Another place I love to travel to is Hawaii. I’ve been there four times; my favorite island is Oahu’s North Shore. I love to go to the beach and surf when I'm out there. The last time I went, I completed one of the hardest hikes; it took my sister and me about 3 hours because we went right after heavy rainfall (which was not our smartest move).
Overall, I would say my favorite place I’ve been to is definitely the Dominican Republic. The culture out there was awesome to see! During my last day in the Dominican Republic, I went to the store and bought toys and candy for all the kids out there. Overall, it was such a great experience!
What is your favorite thing to do in your free time?
My favorite thing to do in my free time is either golf or ride my dirt bike. I got into golf about a year ago, and as time went on, I kept falling more in love with it. I play mainly at Pelican Hill in Newport about 3 times a week and hit the driving range about 3-4 times a week. I can see myself competing in tournaments for fun when I'm older. Dirt biking is also amazing, but it can be scary sometimes. I've fallen multiple times (which did not always end well), but overall it’s so fun to find trails and spend the day with my friends off-roading. San Clemente is one of my favorite places to bike because it has a secret spot with easy hills and flat ground. I’m not the best at going downhill, but I definitely am getting dialed uphill.
How did you get into dirt biking?
I got into dirt biking because my hometown friends always rode when we traveled to the river. I decided over the years that I finally wanted to get my own bike because my friends would never trust me with theirs. I got a 125 two-stroke bike a couple of months ago, and it is now sort of like a pit bike to me. I'm finally learning jumps and how to land correctly! It’s awesome because I met a lot of friends through this hobby to kick it with and enjoy sunset rides. Also, when I’m at the river or sand dunes, it’s nice having a bike I can ride with everyone else.
What’s your “happy place”?
My happy place would probably be with my closest friends, in the middle of nowhere, with no cell service, enjoying each other's time with no worries. I feel most safe in those moments, even though sometimes we don't do the safest activities (like lighting fireworks, riding, off-roading, etc.). I used to be scared to travel because I always stayed home as a kid, but ever since last year, I started traveling a lot. Now, that’s when I’m my most happy: experiencing new places, cultures, and especially people. There are so many genuine souls all around the world, and it’s nice seeing how different people are in certain areas.
What is your biggest lesson from being a social media influencer?
The biggest lesson I've learned from social media is not to care what others think about you. Everyone has their own opinions, but at the end of the day, the only opinion that matters is yours. I've also come to understand people's true intentions toward one another. It is now very easy to immediately analyze what people want from you and avoid toxicity in your life. Dealing with so much responsibility at such a young age was very harsh, but honestly, I am grateful for the experiences this lifestyle has given me. □
