Meet Ana Daniela Siberio | Professional Dressage Rider & Trainer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ana Daniela Siberio and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ana Daniela, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
There’s an old Indian proverb that says: everything will be alright in the end… so if it’s not alright then it’s not yet the end. It’s a saying that resonates deeply with me because I feel it embodies something that all entrepreneurs must possess: hope and belief. None of us know the twists and turns that our path will take. From my own experience, I have found that hope is a key ingredient to help weather the uncertainties that life inevitably brings. It’s the feeling of knowing that whatever the challenge, tomorrow is a new day and thus a new opportunity to keep moving forward.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
It’s always felt a little strange to refer to myself as a professional athlete. Whenever I hear those words the image that comes to mind is someone like Serena Williams or Simone Biles, but in essence that is what I am. I dedicate myself full time to train and compete in the equestrian sport of Dressage. I decided to become a full time athlete in my mid-twenties, somewhat late by industry standards, so I am extremely proud of how far I have been able to go in the sport. Like most athletes will tell you, the journey is very far from easy and requires a high level of personal sacrifice. I’ve been very blessed to count on the help of my family in this endeavor and even with their unwavering support I’ll be the first to admit that the process is demanding.

Attempting to do anything at a high level requires everything from you. It is all encompassing and consuming. It demands discipline and consistency, self-belief, grit, and tremendous mental toughness to keep going far past your comfort zone. That being said, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing all that hard work manifest in the shape of your wildest dreams.

If there’s anything I’d like the world to take away from my experience is that it is actually possible to start late, be uncertain, and still succeed.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I grew up in Coconut Grove so that neighborhood will forever have a special place in my heart. If I were to spend the perfect Sunday in Miami it would start with brunch at Greenstreet Cafe followed by some window shopping on Main Highway. A walk through Kennedy Park would be another great option with a mandatory stop at A.C.’s Icees, a Coconut Grove institution. Last but not least, dinner would definitely be at Jaguar Restaurant which has some of the most deliciously authentic Latin American cuisine in Miami.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There have been many people over the years that have inspired, supported, and mentored me. They all deserve recognition in my story, and I hope that I have adequately expressed my gratitude to them for their role in my journey.

Lately, I feel a special sense of gratitude toward an unlikely group of people. Just as significant as my supporters have been to my development so have all the people who did not believe in me. Every person who ever doubted, underestimated or discredited me was actually some of the best motivation I have ever felt. That said, I would like to dedicate this shoutout to them: the “haters.” Thank you for fueling the fire inside me to keep rising above and beyond what I thought was possible.

Website: https://www.lusitanomasters.com

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Image Credits
Bethany P. Photography

Lauren Pitylak

Emma Claire’s Photography