05/14/25 12:00 PM
How Alexa Score Has Redefined Success While Navigating Society With Leukemia
As a part of our “Unstoppable” series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Alexa Score.
Alexa Score is a MasterCraft athlete and ambassador for both the Let Her Rip and Surf to Save Lives campaigns, as well as a former professional wakeboarder, TV host, and leukemia survivor who turned a life-changing diagnosis into a story of resilience and determination. Despite living with a rare form of blood cancer, she built a successful career in wakeboarding, earning a top 10 world ranking before transitioning into sports broadcasting with FOX Sports, Fan Duel Sports, ESPN, and the Minnesota Vikings. Now, she uses her platform to advocate for cancer awareness and empower others, aligning her passion for the water with meaningful impact.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! It is really an honor. Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you share your “backstory” with us?
I grew up in small Town Spicer, Minnesota where I fell in love with watersports at a young age. I was on a water ski show team when I was nine and around age fourteen my sister, Tiff, and I started getting really into wakeboarding. I started dreaming about moving to Orlando, so I could be on the water year-round. After being diagnosed with leukemia at 16, I was unsure of how long I was going to live, so I decided to graduate high school early and do it. I moved to Orlando at 17 and during that time my health prognosis continued to change with the vastly changing treatment landscape for CML. I just kept loving life and training and when I was 20 I competed in my first national wakeboard contest, and I won. That’s when I realized I had the potential to fulfill my dream of becoming a pro wakeboarder, and on my 21st birthday I competed in my first pro contest. I travelled the world for years before focusing more on my television career. Since then, I’ve worked with numerous professional sports teams, global brands, and national networks.
Do you feel comfortable sharing with us the story surrounding how you became disabled or became ill?
When I was 16, I began to have severe bone pain. When I told people, it was challenging for them to understand what I was describing, but I knew it was inside my bones. I had an accident that required stitches, and when I went to have them removed, I mentioned the pain to the ER doctor. After extensive testing, it ultimately led to my leukemia diagnosis
What mental shift did you make to not let that “stop you”?
There comes a time when you realize you can either let your illness control your life or not. With ongoing side effects — mental, physical, financial — every day, It’s a challenge to stay positive, but the alternative is to be miserable. In the end, overcoming makes life so much sweeter.
Can you tell our readers about the accomplishments you have been able to make despite your disability or illness?
I was able to graduate high school with highest honors, get my degree from the University of Central Florida, travel the world as a professional wakeboarder, and have a successful career in sports and outdoor television. I’m truly living my dream.
On top of that, I’m incredibly proud to be part of initiatives like MasterCraft’s Surf to Save Lives and Let Her Rip campaigns, using my platform to inspire others and make a real impact. Surf to Save Lives raises money for childhood cancer research by donating $1 for every minute spent behind a towboat, while Let Her Rip empowers women to feel confident in and behind the boat. These projects mean so much to me because they blend my passion for watersports with causes that truly matter. Despite the challenges I’ve faced, I’ve never let my diagnosis define me — and I hope my journey shows others that they don’t have to either.
Both campaigns will be in full swing this summer, so feel free to follow along on Instagram and be part of the excitement on @Alexascore and @mcboatcompany.
What advice would you give to other people who have disabilities or limitations?
First, know you are never alone! Second, our limitations are inevitably a part of our stories, but they do not have to define us nor be the worst chapter. We can learn so much from our challenges and, to be honest, sometimes the most challenging moments shape us into the strongest, most resilient versions of ourselves. They teach us perseverance, gratitude, and just how powerful we really are.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are?
There are SO many people I’m grateful for. My sister, Tiff, has been a huge source of support my entire life. My first doctor, Dr. Yoav Messinger, for treating me like a person versus just another “case”, and many, many people who encouraged and supported me through my wakeboarding and television careers.
How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?
I share my story in hopes that it will encourage others to continue to LIVE despite challenges. When I get messages from others saying my story has had a positive impact on them in some way, it’s humbling and inspires me to be the best I can be.
Beyond sharing my journey, I’m passionate about giving back — whether it’s mentoring young athletes, advocating for women in watersports, or using my platform to support causes close to my heart. Through my work with MasterCraft and initiatives like Let Her Rip, I strive to help shape the next generation, showing them that resilience, passion, and a positive mindset can take them further than they ever imagined. If my story can empower even one person to push past their limitations and chase their dreams, then I know I’m doing something meaningful.
Can you share “3 things I wish people understood or knew about people with physical limitations” and why.
1 . There are no days off. There are no vacations from chronic conditions.
2 . Not all limitations are visible.
3 . They don’t have to hold you back from achieving your dreams!
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”?
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” — Nelson Mandela
We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this :-)
Richard Branson. How do you make it all happen and have so much fun at the same time?!
Thank you so much for the time you spent with this interview. We wish you continued success and good health!
About the Interviewer: After becoming her father’s sole caregiver at a young age, Lucinda Koza founded I-Ally, a community-based app that provides access to services and support for millennial family caregivers. Mrs. Koza has had essays published in Thought Catalog, Medium Women, Caregiving.com and Hackernoon.com. She was featured in ‘Founded by Women: Inspiration and Advice from over 100 Female Founders’ by Sydney Horton. A filmmaker, Mrs. Koza premiered short film ‘Laura Point’ at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival and recently co-directed ‘Caregivers: A Story About Them’ with Egyptian filmmaker Roshdy Ahmed. Her most notable achievement, however, has been becoming a mother to fraternal twins in 2023. Reach out to Lucinda via social media or directly by email: lucinda@i-ally.com.
Published by: Authority Magazine
Written by: Lucinda Koza
As a part of our “Unstoppable” series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Alexa Score.
Alexa Score is a MasterCraft athlete and ambassador for both the Let Her Rip and Surf to Save Lives campaigns, as well as a former professional wakeboarder, TV host, and leukemia survivor who turned a life-changing diagnosis into a story of resilience and determination. Despite living with a rare form of blood cancer, she built a successful career in wakeboarding, earning a top 10 world ranking before transitioning into sports broadcasting with FOX Sports, Fan Duel Sports, ESPN, and the Minnesota Vikings. Now, she uses her platform to advocate for cancer awareness and empower others, aligning her passion for the water with meaningful impact.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! It is really an honor. Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you share your “backstory” with us?
I grew up in small Town Spicer, Minnesota where I fell in love with watersports at a young age. I was on a water ski show team when I was nine and around age fourteen my sister, Tiff, and I started getting really into wakeboarding. I started dreaming about moving to Orlando, so I could be on the water year-round. After being diagnosed with leukemia at 16, I was unsure of how long I was going to live, so I decided to graduate high school early and do it. I moved to Orlando at 17 and during that time my health prognosis continued to change with the vastly changing treatment landscape for CML. I just kept loving life and training and when I was 20 I competed in my first national wakeboard contest, and I won. That’s when I realized I had the potential to fulfill my dream of becoming a pro wakeboarder, and on my 21st birthday I competed in my first pro contest. I travelled the world for years before focusing more on my television career. Since then, I’ve worked with numerous professional sports teams, global brands, and national networks.
Do you feel comfortable sharing with us the story surrounding how you became disabled or became ill?
When I was 16, I began to have severe bone pain. When I told people, it was challenging for them to understand what I was describing, but I knew it was inside my bones. I had an accident that required stitches, and when I went to have them removed, I mentioned the pain to the ER doctor. After extensive testing, it ultimately led to my leukemia diagnosis
What mental shift did you make to not let that “stop you”?
There comes a time when you realize you can either let your illness control your life or not. With ongoing side effects — mental, physical, financial — every day, It’s a challenge to stay positive, but the alternative is to be miserable. In the end, overcoming makes life so much sweeter.
Can you tell our readers about the accomplishments you have been able to make despite your disability or illness?
I was able to graduate high school with highest honors, get my degree from the University of Central Florida, travel the world as a professional wakeboarder, and have a successful career in sports and outdoor television. I’m truly living my dream.
On top of that, I’m incredibly proud to be part of initiatives like MasterCraft’s Surf to Save Lives and Let Her Rip campaigns, using my platform to inspire others and make a real impact. Surf to Save Lives raises money for childhood cancer research by donating $1 for every minute spent behind a towboat, while Let Her Rip empowers women to feel confident in and behind the boat. These projects mean so much to me because they blend my passion for watersports with causes that truly matter. Despite the challenges I’ve faced, I’ve never let my diagnosis define me — and I hope my journey shows others that they don’t have to either.
Both campaigns will be in full swing this summer, so feel free to follow along on Instagram and be part of the excitement on @Alexascore and @mcboatcompany.
What advice would you give to other people who have disabilities or limitations?
First, know you are never alone! Second, our limitations are inevitably a part of our stories, but they do not have to define us nor be the worst chapter. We can learn so much from our challenges and, to be honest, sometimes the most challenging moments shape us into the strongest, most resilient versions of ourselves. They teach us perseverance, gratitude, and just how powerful we really are.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are?
There are SO many people I’m grateful for. My sister, Tiff, has been a huge source of support my entire life. My first doctor, Dr. Yoav Messinger, for treating me like a person versus just another “case”, and many, many people who encouraged and supported me through my wakeboarding and television careers.
How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?
I share my story in hopes that it will encourage others to continue to LIVE despite challenges. When I get messages from others saying my story has had a positive impact on them in some way, it’s humbling and inspires me to be the best I can be.
Beyond sharing my journey, I’m passionate about giving back — whether it’s mentoring young athletes, advocating for women in watersports, or using my platform to support causes close to my heart. Through my work with MasterCraft and initiatives like Let Her Rip, I strive to help shape the next generation, showing them that resilience, passion, and a positive mindset can take them further than they ever imagined. If my story can empower even one person to push past their limitations and chase their dreams, then I know I’m doing something meaningful.
Can you share “3 things I wish people understood or knew about people with physical limitations” and why.
1 . There are no days off. There are no vacations from chronic conditions.
2 . Not all limitations are visible.
3 . They don’t have to hold you back from achieving your dreams!
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”?
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” — Nelson Mandela
We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this :-)
Richard Branson. How do you make it all happen and have so much fun at the same time?!
Thank you so much for the time you spent with this interview. We wish you continued success and good health!
About the Interviewer: After becoming her father’s sole caregiver at a young age, Lucinda Koza founded I-Ally, a community-based app that provides access to services and support for millennial family caregivers. Mrs. Koza has had essays published in Thought Catalog, Medium Women, Caregiving.com and Hackernoon.com. She was featured in ‘Founded by Women: Inspiration and Advice from over 100 Female Founders’ by Sydney Horton. A filmmaker, Mrs. Koza premiered short film ‘Laura Point’ at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival and recently co-directed ‘Caregivers: A Story About Them’ with Egyptian filmmaker Roshdy Ahmed. Her most notable achievement, however, has been becoming a mother to fraternal twins in 2023. Reach out to Lucinda via social media or directly by email: lucinda@i-ally.com.