The People Project:
Heather Vial
By Ashley & Andrew LeSaicherre | July 30, 2022
Meet Heather Vial!
Heather was born in South Carolina. She has a brother who is 8 years older than she is. She moved to Ponchatoula in 1998 due to her father accepting a position. She attended Trafton Academy, then Ponchatoula High School. She then received her Bachelors in Art History from Southeastern Louisiana University in 2010. She has worked at Sport Optics/Interstate Guns since 2011, and is the General Manager. Heather also runs Battle Rattle Crossfit at North Cypress Fitness.
She met her husband, Ryan, through friends, and they have been married for 6 years. Together, they have three children. They are members of Holy Ghost Catholic Church.
We want to thank Heather for spending some time with us and letting us get to know about her life and her love of the area.
Q: What led you to your current career?
A: I was having dinner with a few girls after I graduated college, and one of them was about to go on maternity leave. We started chatting and I learned she was working at Sport Optics, and suggested I fill in for her. That was in 2011, and I have worked in a variety of positions during my time here. I have been the general manager of Interstate Guns, Sport Optics' sister company, for four years now. I enjoy my job and the people I work with. It has grown substantially from when I first started with the company.
I've also been involved in the CrossFit community for over 12 years now. After a few years of training, an opportunity arose and I've been running the program at Battle Rattle CrossFit for 8 years, and I love it. The members are like my family.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in the area, and what do you like to get there?
A: Cate Street Seafood Station! I order the white tuna tataki nigiri. It is the best piece of fish you will ever eat.
Q: What is your favorite childhood memory?
A: It was my first Christmas in Louisiana, and I was up at 1:00 a.m. checking out the gifts Santa had brought us. In my house, Santa didn't and doesn't wrap gifts, he just drops them because he is in a rush to go to the next house. I was looking at my gifts and there was a walkman. My Dad was up also, and we turned on the FM radio and the song Macarena was playing. It is a great memory.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: Greece! It looks so beautiful. I am a beach and water person.
Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: My favorite movie is Breakfast at Tiffany's. And I remember seeing The Mummy with my Mom.
Q: Do you have a favorite book? What do you love about it?
A: The Bible is my favorite book. Jesus is my best friend.
Q: What advice would you give a group of people?
A: Most people are afraid to say "no". It is okay to say “no”. You are only allotted so much energy in a day, and you cannot take care of yourself or others if you stretch yourself thin.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: To see the Zac Brown Band on the beach.
Q: What is your favorite music or an artist or band that you would like to see?
A: I love music! I listen to it all, from Queen to Alanis and Jewel to Hank Williams Jr. to worship music. I love introducing my kids to different genres.
Q: What current or former business makes you the most nostalgic about the area?
A: Gnarly Barley Brewery! I like their story, and we did a Crossfit collab there when they first opened. It is a business we should be proud to have here.
Q: If you could choose one person to go to lunch with that you’ve never met, who is it?
A: My Mom's Mom. She passed away before I was born and I have always heard she was the nicest person. I would want to go somewhere simple with her, like a diner.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: Busy! I will have a 15-, 14- and a 12-year-old!
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you (even friends or family)?
A: That my first name is Mary and not Heather. Heather is my middle name.
Q: What is a word or phrase that comes to mind when you think of the word “Home”?
A: Safety, comfort, security.
Q: If you could have a full-time staff member that is fully paid for, what would that be? (Chef, housekeeper, driver, coach, personal trainer, etc.)
A: A chef, or maybe just someone to prep the dinners.
Q: If you had to choose one type of cuisine to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
A: Food from Asia! Thai, Japanese, Chinese, I like it all.
Q: What are you known for?
A: For being busy!
Q: What is your favorite 90s jam?
A: Fancy by Reba McEntire! But I loved all the 90's music, No Doubt, Alanis, Jewel, Blink 182. The Alternative station is one of my favorites.
Q: If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
A: Super Speed…being able to do things very fast.
Q: What are some of your hobbies?
A: Spending time with my family, crafting for holidays, party planning, CrossFit and I just started practicing yoga.
Q: What is your most commonly used emoji?
A: The upside down and regular smiley face side by side.
Q: What is something you are most proud of?
A: My family.
Q: What two items would you take with you if you shipwrecked on a deserted island where food and water were taken care of?
A: Sunscreen and a gun!
Q: If you won the lottery, what would you purchase or spend money on?
A: A vacation home, probably a beach house and I would invest the rest!
Q: What do you want your legacy to be?
A: I want people to have felt God through me. I helped them find their faith and postivity.
Heather was nominated by Alexis Becerra
Who would YOU like for us to get to know?
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