1) First of all, Jacob, welcome to the Dan’s Comp family! I’ve been hoping to make this happen for a long time and here we are. I met you when you were probably like 12 or something and just learning bars and whips. Over the years your progression just skyrocketed and never stopped. Sort of a silly yet serious question; how did you get so dang good? Are you the type of rider that would just ride nonstop and push yourself harder than others? Are you the type that really breaks down and studies how tricks are done to make them make sense? What is your mindset when it comes to getting better, progression and pushing yourself as a rider?
Haha thank you brother! To be honest with you, I simply just love riding my bike and always have. I noticed from a very young age, my drive for riding just came naturally. I’d say it’s a mixture of both. I was and still somewhat am someone who rides all day, but I am also a rider who breaks down my own riding and especially others. Bike control to me is everything, so understanding body positioning is a big part of how my riding and style was formed. My history of bike knowledge runs deep and understanding myself and others riding I feel played a key part of my learning.
Progression and wanting to be better really just comes naturally to me. It really all does strive back to the group you’re riding with. I am SO fortunate to grow up with the group that I did. My Nebraska family formed me into who I am today and your circle is everything! I find pure joy in pushing myself to learn new tricks, get creative, and see what I can come up with and have always been that type of person since my early days of competing.
2) Let’s back up a bit. How did you get in to BMX? And how did you stay so motivated and progress so much while growing up in the middle of nowhere Nebraska?
BMX for me began at a very early age. I started riding when I was 6-7 years old and just found enjoyment cruising around on a bike. From there, my neighbors behind me where I grew up shared a mutual interest in action sports and that’s where everything really started for me. I think that’s why my senses on a bike are so good and why I owe everything to bike control. Growing up riding flat ground, and not having a tremendous option of skateparks, bike control is all I had to learn from the get go.
Riding really took off for me when I met Karl Hinkley at Nowear BMX. Around the age of 12 I met Karl and the whole team filled with Nebraskan legends who I get to call my friends now, and we simply just started going on trips all over the US and that’s where my progression really started to happen. Having friends who were there to answer questions I had and having them there to guide me helped me more than anything and again, those dudes really helped shape me into the rider I am today. I can’t express enough how much self-drive and a good circle around you can change everything!
3) You were always more of a “park” rider; gyro, whips, flairs, etc. Over the past few years you have really developed into an all-around shredder. You’re one of the few people in the world who will casually quad whip a box jump then turn around and do a nose manual 360. Where did this transition come from and what types of riding or riders inspire you?
I think it all comes in waves throughout your life as you get older. I have always considered myself a very well rounded rider, especially based off of my roots, but everyone gets influenced and latches on to certain styles, trick choices, you know how it goes. The older I got the more I started to express who I am as an individual and getting more creative into “trying other things”. I use quotations because at the end of the day, I’m simply a bike rider. I genuinely just love riding my damn bike no matter what I’m riding. I’ve always been like that, I guess now I’m embracing it more and diving deeper into it as I find out more and more things I’m into. I’m just having fun riding with my friends and not categorizing anything!
It’s cliche but I enjoy watching so many riders it would be so hard to name them all. Like I said it goes through phases but lately I’ve been taking inspiration from my homie Sam Bussell, Jeremy Malott, Rim Nakamura and of course can’t go wrong with some Kevin Peraza and Pat Casey.
4) You’ve done a lot in your career already. What are some highlights? Events you competed in, places you traveled, tricks you learned, etc.
I’m very fortunate to be able to travel to the places I have and I’m extremely proud it’s all been because of BMX! As a kid, that’s all I could’ve imagined. To be able to travel the world, ride my bike, and see where it takes me. I’d say some of my best memories are trips for contests. I think it’s my favorite just because of how long I’ve been doing it. My BMX trip memories go as far back as learning my first truck driver to landing my first triple whip air; both at the same park, 4 years apart! Now, being able to travel professionally and having the opportunity to represent the USA at events towards the Olympics, it’s really just surreal to see what all it’s done for me since I first started riding. I ordered my first ever aftermarket BMX part off of Dan’s Comp when I was 11 years old so you could say things have come pretty full circle for me!
5) Getting a bit personal here, but as I mentioned, I’ve known you since you were a kid. Back then I remember you being such a nice and respectable kid. As you’ve evolved into one of the best riders in the world, you’re still a humble, good dude and the type of role model for younger riders that I think BMX needs more of. To kids, other riders, or anyone reading this, what is your message to the world? (Or perhaps, what is your outlook on life? It seems like a positive and grateful mindset. Anything you would like to share or wish more people knew?)
First off I appreciate the kind words! I definitely take pride in the character I have and live my life with a very passionate and positive lifestyle. I guess I’ve formed into the person I visioned I looked up to as a kid and I’ve always been someone who I consider a dreamer. I’m very passionate in every aspect of life. I am just happy to be alive and that alone fires me up! I guess I just get tunnel vision is the best way to describe it.
One thing for me that I really want to touch on, is letting people know that It’s truly possible. It really is cliche, but I don’t think people understand how possible it is to achieve whatever it is in their life they want to. I think people find things to be too far of a reach, but with calculated risks, hard work, and not only seeing, but believing in the vision is everything! I truly believe in energy and live a life that radiates good energy. I believe it all comes back around and what you put into this life is what you get in return so you might as well go at it blazing with passion no matter what you’re doing! Find your purpose and never stop.
With that being said, I’m so hyped to join the Dan's Pro Team and look forward to what the future has in store! It’s an honor to be apart of the team and I’m damn excited to create some fun memories!
