The Bachmeier girls, MacKenzie, 14, and Alex, 17, of Washington, are the epitome of young "jumpers," they take risks in their respective sports—competitive big mountain skiing and wakeboarding/slalom/jumping—while staying in control, they are not afraid to be better than boys and they draw strength and inspiration from one other. Thanks to former U.S. Ski Team Freestyler, K2 Alliance Team member and rippin waterskiing mom, Janice Bachmeier, these girls have been raised to be all this and more. But their most recent life lesson has been that of perserverance. Although extreme sports such as the ones the Bachmeier girls participate in, hold innate risks that they were taught to observe and respect, nothing can prepare one for an accident doing the mundane. Alex, was in a near fatal car accident last fall, which left her with a broken femur and two broken feet, surgeries and numerous rehab hours later, she's still positive about getting back out there. In addition to her mother, sister, father, David Bachmeier, and friends, the SheJumps community would like say, "Go for it Alex!" We look forward to seeing video posts of your stellar wakeboarding and jumping in the future! Alex, MacKenzie and Janice answered some questions about each other, striking up a balance between out-of-control and in control, their inspirations and Alex's accident. They are a reminder to us all that "jumping" is really more about motivating the inner spirit, rather than the body.—Associate Editor, Leah Fielding

Who pushes each other the most to do their best in sports or in life?
 
Janice: We are all highly motivated but the girls agree, I push them the most to do their best.   I want them to live their dreams.

Who is someone you all admire?
 
All: We all agree Shane McConkey is the man.   He lived the skiers dream,  an incredible skier, pushing the boundaries of what was possible, and he was incredibly nice and a funny person.

Who of the three of you is more cautious? Who is sometimes too brazen?
 
All: Cautious, brazen - doesn’t describe any of us.   We push each other in different ways.
 
 As ladies who rip in all aspects of life, do you find it hard to strike up a balance between safe and out of control?
 
Janice:  Funny, this a conversation I have had with my girls multiple times.   I have always told them you have to strike a balance between in control and out of control.    It's a great place to be and where you can push yourself to be the best you can be.   Plus, out of control is the most fun.
 
 
Have you ever had an experience where being too cautious or too wild ended badly?
 
MacKenzie - this year competing in the IFSA Junior Big Mountain Competition at Crystal Mountain, I picked a really radical line and entered a really technical rocky area too fast and got caught up on a rock and rag dolled down the run. 
 
Alex - going off a waterski jump in front of a bunch of friends, maybe showing off a little,  and ended up doing a 180 and landing bachwards, about 95 feet.   Luckily I didn’t hurt myself.
 
Janice - jumping of a cat track snowskiing, getting my skis caught mid-air in the roping that roped off the area below and having a really great crash.

Describe some of the best days you've had together as mother & daughters?
 
Janice: Hard to pick a day.   So much fun to ski with my girls.   Years ago I started my girls skiing with my youngest on my back and my oldest on a leash (at the same time).  I felt like a Sherpa.   It was alot of work for sure.   As a parent, you have to pay your dues, kids are a ton of work.   My girls are now 14 and 17 and skiing with them is a skiing mom's dream.   We ski the same speed, enjoy the same conditions,   Maybe each one of us is slightly better in one condition than the other.   But as a mom, I am so glad I payed my dues to get them become awesome skiers. 
 
Alex, how are you feeling about your return to sports after your accident? I'm sure you sister and mother are very supportive
 
I'm trying to stay positive.  This summer I am going to work as hard as I can to be stronger than I ever was before.  I am ready to be work hard to be the best.   My  mom is the most supportive and has helped me the most through this whole thing.
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Are the three of you a band of sisters who encourage each other, or is there a little competitiveness (not that it's bad)!
 
There is definiatley competitiveness between MacKenzie and I (Alex).   Before a competition there is a lot of tension between us.   But after a comp, we definitely support each other.
 
Alex and Mackenzie, what's it like growing up with a women like your  mom who has been such a positive role model to so many other women throughout her career?
 
Our mom taught us to be strong independent young ladies.  We are not afraid to challenge boys or be better than boys at any sports we do.   Mom  taught us to go for what we want and to never think that just because we're girls we can't do it.
 
Janice, what do you say or do to encourage your girls when the odds are against them?
 
Believe in yourself, don't worry about anyone else but yourself.   You can control your outcome but you can't control anyone elses.  It's all wasted energy.   Focus on yourself, the moment, and go for it!

Describe your perfect day together.
 
Summer - it would be at our friends lake in Eastern Washington.   Warm weather, warm water, great friends, having a great ski performance.
Winter - a rocking powder day with friends and family.

Describe each other in one word.
 
Mackenzie - driven
Alex - inspirational
Mom - passionate