"Nitro Circus" has become one of MTV's most popular adrenaline adventure shows and the only female cast member, Jolene Van Vugt, has been turning lots of heads. Though she is a part of "Nitro Circus" because she is best friends with the show's star, motocross champion Travis Pastrana, she's gaining respect in the racing industry the old-fashioned way -- by earning it.

She is the first Women's Canadian Motocross National Champion, the first female to back flip a full-sized dirt bike, the holder of multiple Guinness World Records, and co-star of many motocross/stunt videos. However, being a woman in a predominately man's sport hasn't been easy.

"My dad has been racing dirt bikes since I was a baby so I grew up going to the race tracks," says the beautiful blond daredevil, who hails from London, Ontario, Canada. "When I was 11, I asked him to teach me to ride. When I was 16, I started traveling and competing more on a competitive level, racing the women's pro circuit. There weren't a lot of girls out there riding at the time," Van Vugt recalls.

"Like with anything, there are people who don't like you because of who you are. I was competing with the boys and they'd get up in arms about girls racing in their class or they'd get really aggressive, but you just deal with it and keep going. It just makes you stronger."

Van Vugt has been able to break down many of those barriers, which has paved the way for other women riders to come.

"I think women racing dirt bikes is more well received now," she says. "There are always going to be those people who think women belong in the kitchen, but I'm definitely not a stay-in-the kitchen girl."

Emily-Fortune Feimster