2024 Greatest Hits!
Before looking ahead to 2025 let’s take a quick walk down memory lane and recap some of the most epic things that happened in 2025!
Commentating the 2024 Paris Olympics for NBC.
For the first time since 2008, I did not participate in the Olympics as an athlete. I got to enjoy the Olympics in an entirely new way, as a broadcaster. It started out by auditioning for the role, then once I had earned it we did a number of practice runs before the actual big show. When I arrived in Stamford, Connecticut for the Olympics I was absolutely blown away by the size and scale of the operation. It was incredible to see what all goes on behind the scenes, from the TV shows, the broadcast booths, highlight factories, hair, make up, social media, statisticians, engineers, you name it and they were there. When you watch the Olympics on TV or are participating you have no clue what all is going on behind the scenes. Having seen behind that curtain, I have a whole new respect for the NBC crew.
Commentating BMX freestyle was amazing, watching the triumphs and heartbreaks. Seeing Perris Benegas earn her silver medal after finishing 4th in Tokyo was a highlight for me to call. Seeing the Chinese domination in the women's event was impressive, and definitely a wake up call for the rest of the world. The level of the men….incredible. Watching them ride leaves you speechless. It looks like they are on video game mode.
The BMX racing was so much fun to call. I could feel the pressure and tension form 4000 miles way. Watching the French men achieve the first podium sweep in 100 years for France was amazing to see live, and seeing Saya Sakakibara’s Gold medal in front of her whole family was a real tear jerker.
I loved calling the action and I look forward to doing more of it!
Wrapping Season 7 of Outdoor Nevada
We filmed the latest season of Outdoor Nevada in April, May, and June. It was edited in July, August, and September, and then premiered in October. My producer Chris really pushed me this year and we made some incredible television. We went all over the state to uncover the most interesting and entertaining things Nevada has to offer. Whether it was repelling down a 200 foot cliff, riding a horse, or snorkeling with fish that live nowhere else on earth, what an amazing ride it was! We also did the first ever ODNV meet up event this fall and plan to do more in the new year. Keep an eye out on Vegas PBS!
Catch up on all the episodes on the PBS app or on Vegas PBS youtube channel.
Keynote Speaking
I did a number of amazing events this year. A few highlight events include speaking for Flagstar Bank, Holicm construction, and Doral Academy but the 2 most notable were definitely the Special Olympics Northern California and the Raiderettes. Working with the Special Olympics was amazing and it is a cause that is personal to me. It was incredibly rewarding to help kick off their summer games! Additionally, as a Raiders fan (which admittedly can be hard sometimes) it was a blast to speak for the Riaderettes before their season began. Director Tiph runs a great program.
Traveling to New Zealand
My old training partner Trent got married this year and asked me to be his best man. It was my honor to travel down to his home country of New Zealand and stand by his side while he married the girl of his dreams. Trent and I went through a ton together and this really brought things full circle. He was at the finish line to celebrate with me when I won the Olympics and had my biggest moment, and now it was my turn to be there for him. We spoke for years about getting in a surf together at his local spot in Waipu and it was so cool to finally make it happen. New Zealand was awesome, highly recommended! I will be back one day for sure.
20 + BMX clinics
Passing on my knowledge of BMX racing is something I truly enjoy and this year I was able to teach over 20 clinics all around the country. From my home state of Nevada, to California, Utah, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, all the way to Michigan, Connecticut, and others it was always a blast to teach the next generation. Look forward to more of it in 2025! Reach out if you want to get your track set up for a clinic.
Concerts and Woodstock 99!
2024 was the 25th anniversary of the Woodstock 99 debacle, and last year my lady and I watched the Netflix documentary on it and decided if we ever got the chance to see a few of those bands we would. Low and behold, a few of them were on tour this summer and we were able to go see Limp Bizkit, Creed, and Korn. What a great time and bit of nostalgia that was! Saw another 10+ concerts throughout the year and continued to enjoy live music. More of that in 2025 as well!
Thankful for an incredible 2024 both professionally and personally, and looking forward to an exciting 2025!