Episode 6

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Published on:

18th Sep 2025

The Sofi Reinoso Story: Carving a Path from Veracruz to the Olympic Stage

Episode 6 – The Sofi Reinoso Story: Carving a Path from Veracruz, Mexico to the Olympic Stage

Show Notes

In this episode of Following Waters, host Brett Mayer sits down with Sofi Reinoso, a two-time Olympian, Pan American Games medalist, and the first Mexican canoe slalom paddler to win a medal at an ICF event.

Sofi shares her journey from growing up around the rivers of Veracruz, Mexico, to competing on the world’s biggest stage in Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. Along the way, she talks about what first drew her to paddling, the challenges of training with limited resources, and how the river continues to shape her vision for life on and off the water.

This conversation dives into the lived experience of being a paddler at the highest level, highlighting the four phases of the whitewater journey — initiating, deepening, imagining, and appreciating — and how Sofi’s story embodies each one.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

  • Sofi’s first encounters with the rivers of Tlapacoyan and how she got her start in kayaking
  • The mentors and community who helped her deepen her skills and identity as a paddler
  • The challenges of representing Mexico internationally and training without consistent support
  • The meaning and possibility she’s discovered through paddling — on the water and in life
  • Her reflections on gratitude, responsibility, and being a role model for the next generation of paddlers

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About the Podcast

Following Waters
Life on and off the water.

About your host

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Brett Mayer

Brett Mayer is a lifelong educator, athlete, and environmental advocate whose career bridges the classroom and the river. With over two decades of teaching experience in public, day, and boarding schools, Brett has built a reputation for integrating adventure and experiential learning into academic settings. A former Division I soccer player and accomplished whitewater kayaker, Brett has competed in elite races like the Green Race and participated in a few exploratory first descents. His passion for paddling led him to complete a master’s thesis on the relationship between whitewater kayaking and environmental stewardship, a reflection of his deep belief in learning through experience. Brett has held teaching and coaching roles at the Landon School, Hotchkiss, Episcopal High School, and currently at Carolina Day School in Asheville, NC, where he most recently developed the "Impact Asheville" project to connect students with real-world problem solving.

Off the river and outside the classroom, Brett serves as the Policy Director for the American Canoe Association, where he works nationally to protect and expand access to the nation’s waterways. He was also an early collaborator with Outdoor Alliance, helping to unite the outdoor recreation community around public lands advocacy. Through this work, Brett brings vital civic, environmental, and recreational insights back into his teaching. Above all, he is a father to three children—Aoife, Stokes, and River—and is deeply committed to raising them with a strong sense of independence, resilience, and connection to the natural world. Whether guiding students through academic inquiry, paddling whitewater, or advocating for public lands, Brett’s work is united by a single goal: to inspire people to live with purpose, courage, and connection to the places they love.