Blake Russell fell in love with the Monterey Peninsula on her first visit to the area in 2003 and quickly decided to make it her home. A native of North Carolina, Blake was drawn to the natural beauty and the community's active lifestyle. Both attributes suited her first career as an Olympic athlete and one of the country's best distance runners for over a 20-year career. Blake always had a passion for real estate and as her athletic career came to a close, she chose to pursue a career in real estate full time. She holds a B.S. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an M.A. from Elon University. Her analytical background and excellent communication skills are key to understanding clients' individual needs and designing strategic plans to help them reach their real estate goals. She has extensive knowledge of neighborhoods, schools, and retirement communities, and loves that the Monterey Peninsula has a community for every lifestyle. She is thrilled to be part of Sotheby's International Realty Pacific Grove Brokerage, a brand synonymous with luxury and excellence worldwide. In her spare time, she enjoys running along the trails in her hometown of Pacific Grove, CA, walking her dog Scout along the local beaches, and pursuing outdoor family adventures with her husband, Jon, and two children Quin and Liv. Blake has been involved in the Big Sur Marathon Foundation for over a decade and is a volunteer coach at her children's school. She enjoys speaking at local schools and community organizations on the subjects of youth fitness, goal setting, and staying active at any age.