I grew up in the dirt. No, I’m not talking about a dirt road. I’m not talking about a farm. I’m saying it was me and the dirt, with nothing in between except two wheels and a motor. It wasn’t just dirt actually – it was sand, rocks, and mud. Most importantly, it was freedom. I mean, where else can a three-year-old kid have complete, unrestricted control of what they are doing?

For the first ten years of my life, dirtbike riding was something we all did as a family. Every weekend, we would load up and go camping out in the desert and go on rides together through the dusty trails. I loved riding in the desert with my family, but I always wanted to get into motocross racing. I’ll define motocross for anyone who doesn’t know — motocross: is a dirtbike racing sport in which riders compete on a mixture of natural terrain and man-made obstacles, such as jumps and berms. The difference between riding on a motocross track and riding in the open desert is massive, as the track requires a much higher level of skill and focus with big consequences.

At around ten years old, despite having never ridden a motocross track, I decided I was going to be a professional motocross racer. I went to our local track for the first time on my eleventh birthday. To say that I was bad would be generous. I hit my first jump and had a few crashes in the process, but the overwhelming mix of adrenaline and fear had me hooked immediately.

The rawest experience one can have occurs when the brain has no choice other than to be completely present. I think it’s so healthy for everyone to have something that takes them there. For me, that comes when I’m on my dirt bike. The speed, sound, and danger quite literally forced me to go there. Kinda like, hey if I don’t lock in right now, I’m gonna get really hurt. 

Throughout middle and high school, I kept progressing on the bike and getting more and more serious about racing, but I always had other hobbies. I surfed, played high school volleyball, and trained in Jiu-Jitsu to name a few. It wasn’t really until 2021 when school had been online for a bit that I decided I was actually going to do this. At that time, I started racing Pro-Am events that were required in order for me to get my professional license, which I received from MX Sports Pro Racing in early 2022. 

I’m now racing in the AMA Pro Motocross Championship against the best racers in the world. To be one of the forty guys lined up when that gate drops was an unattainable dream just a few years ago, and to achieve that three times now is something I am extremely proud of. However, to me, it’s super important to not get caught up in the glamorous aspects of my sport — or life in general. What I love about my passion for dirtbike riding and racing is that it motivates me to be better every day, whether it’s my physical fitness, mental focus, clarity, work ethic, discipline, or even just being a good person. I think that’s what I’ve gained the most out of this, really. Whatever you do in life, do it with your whole being and you'll be better for it.