It’s not just about winning
BMX was my life for a very long time. I rode the roller coaster of emotions that come with chasing huge goals and I made every decision with the thought of if it was going to help me win the next race or not. I spent a total of 22 years racing BMX, chasing wins, the rush of victory, and trying to win the next race. Throughout my career, I accumulated world championships, gold medals, USABMX championships and many unforgettable moments. Yet, ironically, I have no memory of my final race, only a blank spot where everything ended.
At first, I struggled with this loss. How could I not remember the final race that marked the end of a monumental chapter of my life? But over time, I realized something important: It wasn’t the final race that mattered, it was the journey itself. The struggle. The wins. The losses. The training days. The friends met. The perseverance. The moments that didn’t always make it into the highlight reels but shaped me into who I am today.
When I lined up on that fateful day, I thought the worst thing that could happen was getting 4th place at the Olympics. Looking back, 4th at the Olympics really wasn’t so bad. My entire perspective shifted and I found myself learning about what really matters, and what I have to be thankful for.
With Thanksgiving coming up just around the corner, it is a great time to focus on what you are thankful for. I think it is important to focus on being thankful more frequently than one time a year during the Thanksgiving period. I encourage everyone to be thankful each and every day, and now is a great time to start. The word “thanksgiving” is a great reminder to do just that.
Being thankful is what helped me through the darkest times after that injury. Despite everything I went through like depression, a coma, injuries, and forced retirement I choose to focus on the positive. I may not remember my last race, but I remember all the others, and for that, I am thankful. I am here, writing this blog, and for that I am thankful. I can’t race anymore, but I can do pretty much anything else I want to. Thankful.
I can remember the moments when I succeeded, when I fell short, when I battled with my competitors. I remember the highs of standing on the podium, the weight of the medals around my neck. But I also remember the lows; the times I failed, the crashes, the hospital visits, watching the races go that I failed to qualify for, the defeats that stung and stayed with me far longer than any victory ever did. Each race was an experience and a lesson. Each setback, a reminder that success doesn’t come without hardship and that you will fail many more times than you will succeed.
I remember how excited I was to go racing as a kid. I remember the nerves of my first professional race. I remember the tears and agony of the toughest losses. I am thankful for all of that. I am only three years removed from the accident and ending my career, but the further away I get from it the more it really sinks in that I wish I would have been more thankful during my career and not just after. I am trying to take that lesson and apply it to everything I am doing, remaining thankful for the good, the bad, and everything in between.
As we approach Thanksgiving, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on your own journey. What are you grateful for today? What setbacks have taught you the most? And most importantly, what does success really mean to you? If whatever you are working on ended today, what would matter most to you?
For me? That answer always starts with my health. Once you lose that, you recognize how truly important it is.
Success is not just about the destination, it's about the journey. That is a cheesy saying, but it really is true. It’s about the struggles you overcome, the lessons you learn, and the gratitude you carry along the way are what truly define success. I’ve been through many highs and lows in my life, and I’m still learning every day. But I know one thing for sure: Gratitude and resilience are the keys to moving forward. No matter where you are in your journey, keep going. And remember, even in the hardest times, there is always something to be thankful for.
