Juan Pablo Montoya, an impressive Colombian race car driver has won more races than we can list... just winning his 2nd Indy 500, Formula 1, NASCAR, the Grand Prix and so on... his track record is impressive. With a beautiful wife and three children he is living the dream.
It is our honor to welcome Juan Pablo Montoya to The Global Townhall to find out more on his life and tips for success.
Gabrielle Reilly: What attributes are most important to be the fastest driver possible?
Juan Pablo Montoya: I think there has to be a fine balance between multiple things in order to be a good driver, not just a fast driver. You have to have the right equipment and crew chief because without that you're not competitive. Plus you have to have the right mind set. When it becomes a "job" to get in the race car you know you're in the wrong profession. Lastly, I think family has a lot to do with it. Without their support I wouldn't be able to do this for a living.
Gabrielle Reilly: What is your favorite event to race in?
Juan Pablo Montoya: I don't have one favorite race. Every weekend is a new challenge and a fresh start so I look forward to racing every weekend. That's the great thing about NASCAR - you have a bad race weekend and you get next weekend to make up for it.
Gabrielle Reilly: What has made you so successful?
Juan Pablo Montoya: It goes back to the first question. I've had some great opportunities and great equipment. I knew that this is what I wanted to do when I was five-years-old and it's all I know how to do. I'm competitive and want to win. No one wants to go out there and run 20th. You're up against the best in the business and want to win.
Gabrielle Reilly: What do you do to stay fit?
Juan Pablo Montoya: I've really gotten into mountain biking. The family and I go to some trails back in Miami every morning that I'm home. I also windsurf when the weather allows me to. I'm constantly staying active.
Gabrielle Reilly: What does your diet look like?
Juan Pablo Montoya: I don't have a specific diet. I just try to be mindful of what I'm eating.
Gabrielle Reilly: How many hours sleep do you get a night?
Juan Pablo Montoya: I like to get eight hours but it just depends on my schedule and if I'm home or on the road.
Gabrielle Reilly: Where did you meet your wife?
Juan Pablo Montoya: I actually met Connie when I was signing autographs at Homestead-Miami Speedway. I was in the CART Series and her brother wanted my autograph so he asked her to go get it for him. Come to find out we had mutual friends back in Colombia and eventually we ended up dating.
Gabrielle Reilly: Where are your top three destinations to take your wife?
Juan Pablo Montoya: We try to go back to Colombia as much as possible. We both have family there still plus we do a lot with our foundation, Formula Smiles. Other than that we try to go on a couple of family vacations throughout the year. Usually it's skiing in Colorado and taking the kids to Disney.
Gabrielle Reilly: How do you handle the good, the bad and the ugly of being in the public spotlight?
Juan Pablo Montoya: It's part of the job and you get used to it. You can't let things get to you. I may get upset for a brief moment but then I move on. It helps that I live in Miami too. I can leave a bad weekend behind and go focus on my family.
Gabrielle Reilly: Can you give our readers some words of wisdom to help improve their life that you have learnt along the way?
Juan Pablo Montoya: Follow your dreams. I had to overcome a lot in my life to get to this level in racing but it was all worth it in the end.
Gabrielle Reilly: Do we have any hope of you following in Hélio Castroneves's footsteps doing the Fox Trot as a competitor on "Dancing with the Stars?"
Juan Pablo Montoya: No way.
