Ryan Williams | This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von #366

TL;DR

Ryan Williams became a professional BMX and scooter rider after watching the X Games and “Ultimate X,” starting on rollerblades, and repeatedly practicing at skateparks. The Australian action sports athlete later joined Nitro Circus, performed a world-first double front flip on a scooter, and won multiple X Games gold medals. Read on for his career turning point, mental preparation, injuries, and perspective on BMX and scootering.

Transcript

today's episode is brought to you by liquid death today's guest is a valiant man valiant young man he's from australia if you believe in that and he is a uh he's a world-class gold medalist in scooter games and in bmx uh by cycling this man has done things and you and i could never fathom doing even our dreams we can't do the things that this man d... Read More

Key Insights

• 🚙 Ryan Williams transitioned from rollerblading to scootering, driven by a desire to fit in with friends and enjoy the sport.
• 👍 Overcoming initial bullying about scootering motivated him to excel and prove detractors wrong, fueling his determination.
• 🚙 Williams reflects on the camaraderie among action sports athletes, emphasizing the importance of community support in achieving success.
• 🤔 Mental preparation plays a crucial role in executing extreme tricks, blending visualization and strategic thinking for safety and performance.
• 🏅 His rise to fame included achievements in competitions, such as winning multiple X Games gold medals and participating in Nitro Circus events.
• 👻 The evolution of scootering is shaped by accessibility, allowing wider participation while presenting unique challenges for the sport.
• 🚙 Injury management and recovery are essential aspects of Williams’ career, highlighting the demands and risks associated with extreme sports.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Ryan Williams get started in action sports?

Williams became interested after watching the X Games and the movie “Ultimate X,” featuring athletes including Travis Pastrana and Tony Hawk. He initially used rollerblades because they were what he had, went to a skatepark, fell roughly 500 times, and became a regular skatepark kid.

Q: What does Ryan Williams do professionally?

Williams describes himself as a professional BMX rider, professional scooter rider, and action sports athlete. He considers action sports to include activities that are slightly dangerous and treated as sports.

Q: What was the turning point in Ryan Williams’s career?

A major turning point came when Williams gained sponsorship and made his first trip to the USA. He then attracted Nitro Circus’s attention and completed a world-first double front flip on a scooter.

Q: How does Ryan Williams mentally prepare for a dangerous trick?

Williams visualizes the trick and repeatedly reviews each step before attempting it. At takeoff, he relies on his preparation, instincts, and experience while trying to remain focused and calm.

Q: How has Nitro Circus affected Ryan Williams’s career?

Nitro Circus gave Williams a platform to display his abilities, test his limits, and perform before large audiences. It also connected him with a supportive community of fellow action sports athletes.

Q: What injuries has Ryan Williams experienced?

Williams has suffered several injuries, including fractured wrists and a fractured skull. Although he has largely avoided major surgery, injury management and recovery remain part of the demands of his career.

Q: How does Ryan Williams compare scootering with BMX?

Williams sees similarities between the two sports but says scootering is often viewed as more accessible, which can create misconceptions about how serious it is. He has transferred scooter tricks to BMX and shown that the disciplines can overlap.

Q: What does Ryan Williams hope to contribute to action sports?

Williams hopes to encourage younger people to pursue their passions despite obstacles or disbelief from others. His message is that hard work and persistence can help people accomplish things others consider impossible.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Ryan Williams, an Australian action sports athlete, overcame bullying and challenges to become a world-class BMX and scooter rider, earning multiple gold medals in competitions.

• He reflects on the evolution of his sport, emphasizing the camaraderie among athletes and the importance of mental preparation for extreme stunts.

• Williams discusses his aspirations for future tricks and expresses gratitude for the support of his mother and fellow athletes throughout his career.