It has been a wild ride for optician Becky Furuta.

After receiving a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis in October 2007, she was told her cycling career was over.

Furuta pedaled onward, becoming one of the top-ranked female criterium racers in the country, now under contract with Team Type 1 Foundation Women’s Cycling.

Her go-getter attitude extends into eye care—Furuta and Joe Borden, O.D., of Avenue Vision in Golden, CO, recently launched Yeux & Eye Cooperative, a new collection of sustainably made, environmentally friendly eyewear geared toward millennials.

Here, the Transitions Optical Change Agent, pro cyclist, ABO-certified instructor, and motivational speaker (she’s spoken before the International Olympic Committee as well as United Nations representatives!) shares advice on how to overcome roadblocks + realize your dreams.

—Kerri Ann Raimo

1. Your work shouldn’t compete with your passions, but complement them. SPORTS VISION LETS ME INTEGRATE ALL MY INTERESTS.
2. A LACK OF MOTIVATION IS A LACK OF DIRECTION.
3. DON’T LOSE MOMENTUM WHEN YOU FACE ADVERSITY. That’s exactly the moment to bring your A game.
4. CHALLENGE ASSUMPTIONS. I never would’ve tried Transitions lenses until receiving a pair at team training. I loved them, and now sell them to all my athlete patients.
5. IF YOU WANT TO REALIZE A DREAM, START BY FOCUSING ON ITS SIGNIFICANCE.
6. Failure is more exciting than success. WITH FAILURES, YOU UNCOVER NEW OPPORTUNITIES.
7. WHAT GOT YOU HERE TODAY IS NOT GOING TO TAKE YOU WHERE YOU WANT TO GO TOMORROW.

For a look at the latest from Furuta, who also works as a brand ambassador for Novo Nordisk and Primal Wear, follow @girlztothefront on Instagram.