Lucas Huppert, thanks for being on the podcast. You're sometimes like blaming yourself for things, which often it's your problem, but like sometimes things which, which are not in your hand, success itself can be super different for everyone, you know, Lucas Huppert is a Swiss slope style mountain biker who finished fourth in the world in 2024.

His nickname is Huppi, and he is one of the nicest guys you will meet. However, don't be fooled because he is on a mission to be world number one. Don't hand her up. 360 tail over off the drop, something we haven't seen. Oh man, I'm so glad he did that trick that I was asking for. What is your motivation to do it?

Like, why? What is actually the main driver for you to want to be the best? Like, my main focus is just I want to be the best in my discipline and, uh, Make my fans, my family, my friends, my, myself, just proud. And doing with what you do, it's always a plus to be in one piece. You guys seem to be professional crashers.

It's like a talent

Lucas Huppert, thanks for being on the podcast, man. It's been a, it's been a while. Yeah. Stefan Garlicky, it's been a while for sure. Stoked to be on the podcast and, um, yeah, thanks for reaching out. What's, uh, what's been happening? I mean, you've kind of, the years come, well, more or less come to an end now.

Um, quite a good year for you, I'd say. Uh, what, how's the year been and, uh, sort of how does life look for you at the moment? Hey, um, same like for every mountain bike, I'd say now slowly the season. It's coming to an end and, uh, slowly shifting to the winter. So, um, yeah, the summer and spring and fall has been amazing.

I pretty happy. I got fourth in the overall at the Crankworx Slope Style World Championship overall thing, which is pretty cool. And, um, Could be better. It could be worse. Obviously. Um, I'm aiming for some better results cause I didn't have a podium or anything this season. I was always like in the top five, top six, but, um, yeah, I mean, I'm happy and riding bikes and I'm in one piece currently.

Well, doing, doing with what you do, uh, it's always a plus to be in one piece. Um, although You guys seem to be professional crashes because somehow when I, when I have big crashes, I've gotten hurt and you guys crash so much and mostly just like roll away. I don't know. It's, it's like a talent. But one thing we should add, we don't have like trees and rocks, like in our landings, you know, if you crash it, there's no way you're not hitting a tree or a rock or anything else, which is painful.

You know, we're just hitting like smooth landings, so obviously you can get hurt really bad, but I just feel like in downhill racing, if you're like in some rock garden or in some. True like dense forests. You're just yeah, you're done. Yeah Yeah, yeah. Yeah, true. So nice to see you in one piece too my friend Thanks, man.

Yeah, it's been a yeah rough couple years I guess but um But we're here now. That's the main thing Um, and I mean, so you ended up fourth this year, which is insane. Um, but I guess obviously you want it to be on the podium. What do you think, uh, is what's it going to take for you to make that next step to, you know, To get onto the podium and battle with the likes of Emil and such.

So one thing to add, um, slope style thing is kind of a bit tricky because there's only the top 12 allowed to be in. Right. So if you like. Crash the first two events of your season. You might not even be in for the third event of the year, but, um, since I was top five this year in the overall, I'm pre qualified for every event next year.

So I can go like way more all in, in each event, because, you know, I'm like kind of, uh, let's say Swiss rider, you know, obviously want to do well, but also back in my mind, I'm like thinking like, Hey, if I like. Mess up both runs, I have to be really damn good in the next event. So sometimes you kind of, it is a bit, uh, sounds a bit sad, but like sometimes you have to be like, okay, I'd rather have a sixth or a fifth and be in for the next event where I'm feeling better and I could do a better run and go all in there.

So you kind of always have to like, have that in the back of your mind that you're like, um, That you're like just having a result. So you're in for the next event, but for next season, I can go harder since I'm pre qualified. And, um, I mean, David Skocic um, they're better than me right now with the tricks.

So I definitely need to work on a few more tricks, but I really have quite some unique tricks, which no one else is doing, like the 360 whip drop. Like no one has really done it, actually Max Fredriksen done it a long time ago, but like in the last three seasons, nobody really done it to have like this trick or the front to triple bar and like switch down whip.

So I have a few unique tricks, but I just feel like I have to get them all together and have no mistakes in my run. And when I have a flawless run with all the tricks I want to do, I can make it to the podium, which I actually did. Um, In Innsbruck last year. So actually, you know, it's, you know, it's possible.

Yeah, for sure. Yeah. It's, it's why it's always tough. No, I've just, I mean, I'm definitely, yeah. I mean, I'm 24 now. I'm in a good age, good shape. So doing everything, yeah. Yeah. I mean, I guess it's always like the higher up you get, the harder it gets to make that next little improvement, you know? When you when you just trying to Like it's hard to qualify, but you know, the, the level to go from like 12th to, to 10th or to 8th is, is a lot less than going from 4th to 3rd or 4th to 2nd, you know, we, as you go up, it just, it becomes harder and harder, you know?

So, So maybe you can take us back, um, maybe take us back to where, yeah, where it all started. Like how, how did you get into, into bikes and also into slopestyle? Because I mean, slopestyle is, is not exactly your everyday, your everyday run of the mill sport and, and with the risk and, and, and stuff, it's, yeah, it's pretty wild.

So how did you, what made you go into that direction? Hey, um, ever since I'm a small boy, I was always like, even if it wasn't the skateboard or snowboard or whatever, and it was always doing like some stunts and I just liked doing like the freestyle sort of thing, you know? So, um, yeah, like I said, I was skateboarding super young and snowboarding and also biking super young, but there was a local cycling club, which was more into cyclocross and, um, road cycling and cross country.

Brilliant. It was actually some super good, uh, like road cyclists from, from the area I'm living. And I'm the only black sheep doing freestyle stunts, you know, I'm joking. Anyways, I just started there regardlessly. And, um, there was some jumps in the, in the town, the next town and just about there. And then just built the jumps bigger.

At some point we need an excavator to build the jumps. From year to year, which has progressed. And, uh, I don't know. I just stick to the doing tricks and Oh, one thing to add, sorry. I was also doing four cross from the age of 10 to like. 14 or nine to 14. So I was doing sports, exactly. Yeah. Some sort of racing, but to be honest, I was pretty good, but it was pretty good because I was the only kid which was able to clear the jump.

So I could gain speed this way, but I wasn't like not good at like, um, doing gates, you know, start gates or like, I don't know, tactical writing. No, I was just saying. The only kid, one of the only kids, um, hitting the jump. So that always put me on the podium, but yeah, I moved on from that because I know it just felt a bit limited and I didn't like the courses too much because I wanted to jump more.

And, um, Then I just went to jump, dirt jumping. And there's actually quite a lot dirt jumps in Switzerland. And there was some events like, I don't know if you know this one. It was, um, yeah, yeah. The ice rink in tune made by flying metric crew, which are good friends of mine. And, um, yeah, I don't know. I just had these events to look up to.

And at some point I actually won the Swiss. It's under 22, um, overall dirt jump series with 13 or something. So I got a wildcard for Zwartrucker there and then I could ride there and it was just insane. Like being a 13, 14 year old boy riding in front of six, 7, 000 people in an ice hockey stadium. So yeah, that was just an insane feeling.

And I wanted to be. Doing that ever since all the time. So I stick to it and just, yeah, trusted process. And, uh, was there a point or when was the point where you really realized, okay. I want to be a pro or I'm, I'm going to be a pro, you know, or was it always in the back of your head, like from when you very, from when you started right in the beginning.

So competitions were always something I like to do. So I always wanted to kind of prove myself and like just do events and stuff. So I was always just doing it for fun. And, um. Then with 15, you start apprenticeship in Switzerland. Yeah. So I started my apprenticeship as electrician. Actually I just turned 16 then, but, um, I started that in the summer of 2016 and I had to do electrician for four years.

And I think. After the first two or three weeks, I realized like, ah, shit, biking is so much cooler than your nose. But, um, no, I liked it actually. It was cool. But, um, then 2016, 2017, I was just riding and 2018, actually I had pretty, that was like my breakout, how do you say, breakthrough, breakout season, um, that I, I won actually one gold event, which is like.

Let's say a European downhill cup, you know, I wrote, I won that, um, in with 18 and yeah. So I won six grand in cash there, 50, 50 euros. And so I was like, holy shit. What just happened? That's more than, that's more than, uh, that's more than they win at a, at a downhill world cup. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. That is, that's a different story.

But, um, anyways, I was like, holy, what just happened? That's Oh yeah, I've got to do this for sure. And then, yeah, that was just a point where I was like, okay, like I might look for some sponsors and like do this thing cause I'm pretty good. And that year I also got the rookie of the year award and it was pretty good.

I was like sitting in like 18th in the overall and that year, Ryan Nyquist retired from Slopestyle, one or two others were hurt, so I was lucky that I've got a second alternate, um, invite for Crankworx on 2019. Yeah. And it was like a week before, so I was like, wow, New Zealand week before I have to ask my boss from work if that's possible, he was legend to pick up to him and Peter Roman legendary guy was always like to every event he was always being like, Hey, I see that you're like dedicated to it and you're working hard for it.

So just give you the time off. So instead of four or five weeks a year. VK it's, I mean, VK, four or five weeks a year, the contract of time off from work. I almost had three months and yeah, I just asked him if I can go to New Zealand in five days and he was like, yeah, sure. Do it. Lucky enough for me, but unfortunate for some other writers, um, Matt Jones got hurt and Emmett Johansson.

Yeah. So I got the yes, one hour before the finals that I can write the event. No way. Yeah, it was insane. I mean, And it was early 18, I was there and I like, shaking, literally I had like, I don't know, a positive panic attack almost, you know, I was like, oh shit, what am I doing? And then I did a run, I was first to drop, was after first run sitting in fifth, after second run, um, got bumped down to eighth place, but that was a pretty solid result, and um, Ever since then, I didn't, didn't fall out of tour and it's now going to be my seventh season, wait no, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023.

Yeah, six season. Oh, yeah. Crazy. Yeah. I can't be wrong right now.

Seven. Yeah. It doesn't matter. Anyways, it's been a few seasons and, um, yeah. Wow. Didn't even think about it. Um, 2019 is a long time ago. Yeah. It doesn't seem like that long ago, but yeah. Yeah. We've already been through a whole, uh, a whole pandemic since then. So. Well, yeah. How, uh, I mean, like you mentioned that they told you, you know, How long before, like one hour before that you could start?

I mean, I saw Emil was hurt, but it's Emil and you know how competitive and how much he wants it, especially after his long, like, um, injury he had. So, uh, I was like, you know, a competed Emil just drops in last second. And I didn't know, you know, but then one hour before the lorem, the athlete manager from Grand Corps is like, Hey.

You're going to be able to ride what I was like, okay, took my bike, run up the hill. There's as many laps as I could possibly do, which maybe wasn't the smartest because I was smoked after that hour of full gas training, but, um, yeah, I made it work and it was just an unbelievable moment because, um, Crankworx is such a, in slopestyle is like the, the biggest event and, and, you know, Since there's only like 12 people or 14 which can ride it.

It's like our formula one, you know, so I made it to the first formula one and competition race or whatever you want to call it. And it's been, it's been crazy. Uh, I mean, so from the outside, like I'm, I'm obviously a racer and like when I watch you guys, uh, my sort of coordination is terrible compared to, compared to what you guys need.

I mean, if you look at some of the tricks, I'm wondering how the hell you know where you are, like when you've got so many things happening at the same time. So like now you've got to do a run and you've got to do back to back tricks on every feature, every feature is different. And there's so many different variations.

Like, first of all, how do you feel before you dropping in? And then how do you actually sort of mentally prepared to, to do a run where you're doing so much and so many different things. And like, I would forget like halfway down what, what we supposed to be doing. I mean, yeah, what should I say? Obviously a lot of training and practicing these tricks over and over.

And obviously some of the stunts are super risky. So you're Just doing them on the airbag over and over till you sort of know, um, how it feels, but it's not like, you know, it's not like that. We, I didn't think I know any of us, which does like double backflips and trampolines and stuff. Cause so this thing, then we're not like that and gymnastic athletic sort of thing, you know, but, um, yeah, I don't know.

It's just training. And obviously you have one week of training to at the contest to prepare for your run. So. You know, it's like eight, nine, 10 jumps and our brains are smart enough to remember those 10 jumps actually, even sometimes we're like, if you're getting like routing around, you're like, well, I don't know what to do.

And you just decide whatever trick you're going to do to carry enough speed to get over the next jump, if you came up short before. So a lot of like, um, gut feeling decisions sometimes, but man, over and over, you're just training, training, training, and. And preparing myself mentally for a run, I just try to, because obviously just you have doubts sometimes.

Cause if you have no doubts, you're not even nervous. Cause you know, like, Oh, well, a hundred percent land that run. Why do we doubt? Obviously that's the best mindset to have, but when you're like going for the best you can, you obviously get out of your comfort zone. So. I'm really just trying to do the tricks.

I want to do each in the training and, um, link them also together that I know, okay, if I'm going to do a 360 tailwhip on the drop and the speed is tight for next one, I need to do both tricks after each other and to tell myself like, yo, that's just how it is. And if I've done every trick and training, I'm just so much more confident and like in the zone and.

in a positive mindset and without fear or way less fear. Um, just do that wrong, you know, because if you have to do every trick first try in your contest run, don't even know where to start worrying because everything is to worry about because you have no idea, you know, but some of the legends in our sport, um, I listened to a podcast of Sam Reynolds, for example, and he was saying he went to an event.

With the mindset of trying a new trick on that one jump, you know, so they were like, just go in there and they want to try that one trick in the run. And if they shit, they jet and if not, they just want, you know, so yeah, it definitely got way more, um, professional I'd say in the way that people are really prepared.

People have their training facilities and they're just doing everything towards that one run, you know, just prepare all winter for that run. And are you. Are you nervous before you're dropping in or how are you feeling? Hey, I don't think there's anyone which is not nervous. Um, even like David and Emil. I mean, I don't, I can't talk for them, but like, I don't see that they're like in the zone and like.

Quiet and like getting your mindset ready for, for the run. But, um, obviously it's more experience. You get less, um, yeah, nervosity you have maybe, but, um, I mean, we're doing crazy stunts, which are risky. So I think it would be weird if we're not nervous sometimes, but, uh, I think the boys right now. And girls, obviously.

Now with the new category, everyone's like super, um, professional prepared. Like when you see them ride, it's like, damn, everyone is super good. And it used to be a few years back that there's like those one or three guys and which were on the podium and, uh, now there's like David and Emil and Teddy fighting for a top, but fighting for the podium.

There's like eight other guys, you know. So yeah, it's, it's, uh, it's cool. It's good to hear, you know, hear you say it, uh, that you guys are nervous because I feel the same. I mean, when we dropping in for a, for a world cup race run or something, I think a lot of people from the outside of the sport are like, Oh, you, you know, you guys are all crazy.

Those guys are riding rampage and doing slope style, whatever. Everyone's just nuts. And. And you have no fear, but I think like, at least for me, the fear is what keeps you alive. Uh, if you don't have fear, you'll just be an idiot and go and try something stupid and, and hurt yourself. For sure. I mean, it's the, it's the fine balance of being confident, being also having a, like thinking through a few things, which could be dangerous.

So I call this as fear. And. Um, yeah, you know, if you're fearless you're gonna ride 100k per hour into the next tree, but if you're confident and you still got a bit of fear, you maybe be like a bit slower and you're not gonna hit the tree. But that's sometimes makes a difference, obviously, you know, if I see like zero, I mean, like doesn't care, goes through it.

I mean, that's with everyone, but, uh, it's tight. Yeah. And I'm also following downhill World Cups, um, actually with the new discovery thing, I'm not watching it that frequently, but, uh, or actually never, sadly, but I'm always watching the results. And, uh, but the thing is I'm never at home. I don't have the T valve anymore.

Okay, maybe it's just my fault, but, uh, I definitely always told her it's her fault and That's cool. Especially with some newcomers and yeah, it's interesting. So it always same winner, which makes sports so much better. Yeah, well, I guess it's, uh, harder for the races, but, uh, it's good for the, good for the people watching.

So, um, and the same with you guys, you know, the more. Like when Emil went on that winning streak, it was, I mean, cool for him, but I think for the people watching, it was like, okay, like another race, another, another win, uh, you know, who's going to come second this, this week. And, and, uh, so it's cool now to have, you know, to have guys have stepped up, um, and, uh, yeah, making it more interesting to watch.

I mean, we can't blame Emil because I think if he would be in his. Position everything, but yeah, I mean, he was unlucky this year with some injuries. David was in the best shape ever. And, uh, I'm excited for next season because I think both of them are going to train as hard as never before. And yourself, but I was just saying like, you know, it was like David for the first time, having the perfect season or winning and Emil for the first time in five years, not winning and being super close and me, Fedco could Eric has many The other names.

Just kidding. You, you've, uh, you mentioned that. So what was 2019 was the first time you wrote a Crankworx event. And when, um, when would you say you were kind of officially. the professional, like that you were living from the sport. When I, um, finished my apprenticeship, which was in August, 2020. And, um, actually I got signed with, um, rough cycles.

That is, um, the German, yeah. They do mainly like city bikes, but also some dirt jump bikes and from Germany brand. And they were super cool and helped me. So I had a contract with Coyote to just give me a contract from August for the first half year and the next two years. And had some other sponsors next to it already.

Obviously I was. Um, bit more gypsy, like my budget wasn't as big, but uh, from that point on, I, yeah, I'm a professional mountain biker and. Ever since I left from biking. Yeah, that is, that is sick, man. Uh, and so it's, uh, it's a relatively short time now. I mean, it's only a few years that you've been, uh, you know, a full year pro.

I mean, obviously. I think people from the outside, they always see, you know, see professional athletes and stuff. And they was like, Oh, that's so sick. You know, athletes, they list live the dream life and stuff. But I know myself, it's not, you know, it's not always as easy as it seems or how it looks on Instagram.

And, um, I'm sure that you, you know, dealt with some, some challenges and some personal injuries and stuff. And I mean, as ever, what has been the hardest point for you so far? And. Was there ever a point where you thought like, Hmm, I don't know if I want to do this or did that never cross your mind? Yeah, obviously it crossed your mind.

Cause like, yeah, I don't know. You're just never, or I'm like, uh, it's hard for me to be satisfied with the face. I'm just being fine with doing less or chilling because I'm always kind of stressed out on say more, uh, yeah. I'm a more stressed out person than a laid back person. Obviously I can chill too, but it's just like, yeah, obviously I always want to have more.

And when the contracts are running out, you're like. Obviously sometimes stressed out. If you can live from biking next year, if the contracts are not getting resigned and, and yeah, I just feel like for me, sometimes the pressure is just annoying and if I see some of my friends working in a normal job, it's.

Carpenter or something. And they're just going under the case and like off to work, the work is done. Sort of thing. I'm sometimes jealous, but then I know like, Dan, I'm actually, I love biking. I can do whatever I want. Obviously if I do nothing, I'm not getting anywhere. But like, I can, you know, I can, if I don't feel like riding that day, I can take a day off and do something else or yeah, it is super amazing, but I sometimes like had sleepless nights, obviously.

And. I've had bad events or like sponsor couldn't continue. There's like things are crossing your mind and obviously you want to have the best for your career. So you're sometimes like blaming yourself for things, which often it's your problem. But like sometimes things which, which are not in your hand, they're just going the way you're going.

And like, I know it is definitely not the easiest being a professional athlete, because if it would be, everyone could do it. Um, But man, like when I remind myself, like, you know, what I'm actually doing, then I'm obviously doing, knowing I'm doing the right thing. Obviously they're bad days, but on the good days, you're just living life to the fullest.

Yeah, you like, it really shows for me at least that I'm doing the right thing. So yeah, I don't know. It's obviously a tricky one, but as long as I'm not, Hating riding my bike. Uh, I think I'm doing it right. And I'm definitely not hating riding my bike. So I'm keep doing it. Cause uh, yeah, I love it. And it's interesting that you said, you know, what you mentioned with the pressure and, uh, you know, with sponsors and, uh, and all that, because I've felt the same as well, and I think we, You kind of get used to it, uh, to a, to a point that every year, you know, if you've got like one year contracts or whatever, or even two year contracts, and then there's a time where it runs out.

And, and then every time it's like, okay, how good of, you know, my results being how good is my media being that, you know, and, and then even then it's never a guarantee that they're going to resign you. Uh, and I think that it's quite stressful. Uh, so that's, yeah, also my. My fiance just has a normal job. And sometimes I look at that.

I'm like, it's quite nice in a way that you just look at them, her, and, you know, she's got a, got a monthly salary and, and you, she doesn't have to worry every time when it gets to like October, November, like, oh man. Got contracts coming up for a new, you know, for sure. But man, I don't want to do it any other way.

Like I said, if it would be easy, everyone could do it. But I mean, we are running a business, our own business. And I think if you're running a business in a big company or even a small company, You have to pay your, um, employees. You have to do this. You have to sign your deals. So

it's never getting easier. And I guess you would never have came that far mature right now, if you wouldn't be willing to have more. And. Being satisfied with what you had and you always want to have more. So I think everywhere, if you want to have more and progress in life, there's challenges coming and, uh, just got to deal with them and crack on.

Yeah. Yeah. And I think, I mean, You, I think it's easy also for people to go like, Oh, well, you know, you guys are complaining about being pro athletes or whatever, but that's not what this is. Like, I'm really, I've loved every minute of, of, uh, what I've done, but it's just to also like any job at a certain point when you have to live from it, it is a job, even though it's fun.

It's also like you, it's a job you enjoy, but it's, you have to also see there's both sides. It's not just this amazing thing, which. Has no downsides, you know, but, um, for sure, no complaints. And, uh, I mean, I can just say like this, exactly, exactly. I think it's like that with everything. I can't see that there's a.

a job out there, even if you look at like, uh, you know, actors and singers and stuff, and they superstars and they're making all this money, but there's a lot of stuff that they have to deal with, which I wouldn't want to have to deal with, you know, so there's always pros and cons. Um, and, uh, you wanted to, I don't know if you had like an ultimate goal.

Your goal is to be, I'm assuming to be world champ and, uh, win the series. What, like, what is your motivation to do it? Like, why, like, why this? What, you know, because you can be like, yeah, I want to, I want to be the best, but what is actually the main driver for you to want to be the best? That's a good question, to be honest.

I mean, as a competitor and as a person which competes at a competitive events, you obviously just want to fight for the best result possible. And I mean, my life is mainly about competitions. I'm, the main thing I'm doing is training for competitions and competing. Then doing, um, media, I mean, I also do it, but like my main focus is just, I want to be the best in my discipline.

And, uh, yeah, I mean, I don't know. I obviously want to have a great career and do the best I can, but for some reason there's just the fire burning inside of me to. Make my fans, my family, my friends, my myself, and the audience at the events, just proud and do the best performance and I possibly can do, and just put on a show for the fans and I don't know.

I just love to do it. It's cool. It's cool to hear, you know, to hear. Like different answers, because that's a question that I ask, uh, that I ask multiple athletes and, and sometimes you hear very interesting reasons. Like someone would be like, Oh, I don't know. You know, I, I came from my, This was a wish from my dad growing up.

And so that's why, you know, so it's always interesting to hear people's take, because I think it's always like, Oh, I want to be world champ or I want to be the best. And then it's like, wow, but what is it? You know? So it's cool. Uh, just also just having the passion that you have just for the sport that you found something that you love that much.

Um, that you want to, you know, dedicate your life to it. Obviously sometimes it's different. Sometimes I'm like, I don't want to do that event if I don't like the course or this and that. But to be honest, I prefer riding an event over training at my training facility because it's, because you have so much more jumps.

And like, it's always satisfying to just do a run and the feeling is insane. Obviously it's way more stressful, but like sometimes when I'm jumping into my airbag, I'm just getting crazy. Cause I'm like, damn, I'm not even riding bikes. Cause the only thing you're doing is pushing up a 12 meter rolling.

Yeah. I'm going to do some China, uh, Chinese bouncy castle I bought. And, uh, I just bought it from a Chinese bouncy castle supplier. Really? So, yeah, so I just jump into a bouncy castle and land on my head and push up again and land on my head again. And at some point I land on my wheels. So, you know, both can be frustrating, but, uh, I know it's prefer a cool event with a cool course and great conditions if it's a horrible week with only wind, it's not the same, but, uh, say, um, Whistler with no wind, it's It's pretty cool.

Yeah. Like riding all week with your buddies and going to the pub after, not in that night before the contest, but like, you know, it's just, uh, it's cool. Yeah. What's, uh, I mean, uh, I think obviously like any sport you need to put in, you mentioned, you know, you bought a bouncy castle and that's, uh, what you're using for your airbag.

Uh, and like in terms of training, it's your training is obviously not your typical athlete training, but I'm sure that, you know, you do a lot more than some people realize. So like, what is a normal training day look like for you? Do you just spend time on the bike? Do you do any other stuff besides, uh, you know, practicing tricks?

Do you do any stuff in the gym? Um, what does that look like? So, um, definitely putting most work and time in to biking. Cause I really, actually in winter and spring, I ride a lot of dirt jump, um, now in fall less now I'm following right. More dairy bikes, but like, um, I just try to do my tricks over and over.

And the last few years I was just building my training facilities. I was digging a lot. I was really digging a lot. So that was kind of also my workout. And, um, I'm also going to the gym and have a training plan from Sport Schule Pucht, which you're also going to. Yeah, yeah. Cool. Cool. So I checked out last year's and, uh, just worked on the weaknesses they, they found.

So, um, yeah, working on that too, but to be honest, um, for this winter, I really want to do more gym work cause I feel like, yeah, the sport is just getting gnarlier and I just need to be ready for impacts and crashes, so definitely a bit more of gym work. And also one thing is, um, don't have to work as much on my training facility cause I really got it dialed and.

Get almost every, every obstacle I need. And, uh, yeah, I need something else to keep me sane and strong because. Digging actually made me pretty fit. I'm not going to lie. Yeah, dude. Digging is really hard. I, I, it gets overlooked, but I mean, you, you, it's manual labor. Uh, and I've, uh, you know, I've built quite a bit, um, back in the day.

And, uh, I remember you can't, you can't go and do a day of digging and then go to the gym that that's, that's going to be a bad idea. Even biking is hard after it. Yeah. Yeah, for sure. Easier. You've, uh, yeah, you mentioned that you built a whole training facility now, uh, and, uh, yeah, you just finished up the year in fourth.

Uh, what was your, so far, your best moment, if you could pick one moment of your career, what would you say is like the highlight? Um, I mean, winning with 18, the gold event was pretty cool in Spain. Also the second, the Crankworx Silverstar 2022. Then Innsbruck podium was all super cool. But to be honest, my favorite run to date was, um, toy rides 2022, where I actually got fifth, which is also great.

Not on a podium, but pretty cool. But that run was just with the first from flip triple barspin in a competition ever. Then, uh, I did the flip switch down with Hubert style, which I was also the first one to do it. I did it one event prior, but like, I was. Yeah. I'm the only guy which has did it this way.

And, uh, that was also in the run and then the 360 tail whip flat drop, which was super new. I stomped that on the last drop, which was massive and it was just the last feature and was such a bang to finish up my run and one thing to add, I did the same run in my first run, but crashed in the tree whip and really got wrecked.

But I somehow, I don't know how I was so ready. I just went up there and I was like. I don't give a fuck. I had such as again, I will do it just so much better. And it was just up there. Like hype, you know, like kind of happy normally when I mess up my first time, I'm like, why, why do you do that? You know what I was like, let's go boys.

And then I just went and did all tricks. It was just insane, um, insane event. And also it was the first tour ride back since 2019 because it was such a long covid break and tour is so big that I couldn't do it in like 2021 when it was soared off back again, but there wasn't as many spec spectators. So yeah, that was probably the, my favorite run and the best feeling.

It's interesting because yeah, it's uh, not always. I've noticed that as well. It's not always the biggest result that brings the best feeling. Sometimes it's the, especially when, like you said, you had a big crash and then to come back from that, uh, meant way more to you than, uh, you know, when everything goes smoothly because you've, you know, overcome that, uh, that adversity, I guess.

For sure. And one thing to add, um, so there was the contest was on Saturday and on Monday from, um, my guy at, uh, specialized Switzerland, I got the yes that I can sign with global for next two years. So that was pretty cool. It was amazing. Yeah. Damn. 2022 was a cool summer for sure. That's sick, man. And, uh, I'm sure.

After that, uh, you had a probably a nice, uh, a nice after party. What's the, what's the craziest, uh, party story that you've got over the last few years? Oh, I'm not sure if I'm getting in trouble, but, uh, , there has definitely been a few funny ones and. If it's something you're going to get in trouble over, then we definitely want to hear it.

That's a, that's a hard one. Cause to be honest, I wasn't partying crazy, um, the last two or years, three years or whatever. But when I was like 18 and, uh, 19. The first few events went good. It was definitely, um, some long and crazy parties, but let me think, I mean, yeah, there was one funny one. It's not absolutely crazy, but it was definitely rowdy.

Um, so imagine 2018 when I won that event in Spain, where I got 6, 000 euros in, in 50 euros, euro bills. And it was like, Um, so yeah, one that was crazy, obviously we like started, Oh yeah, actually insane story when I think about it, we started like partying and drinking and, uh, we were just, just had dinner, paid dinner for everyone.

And, um, everyone, I mean, there were like 10 guys. So, but everyone which was competing for the group, so it was in Spain in Vigo. Imagine it's a big city party, you know, it's like a big event with freestyle motocross, road racing, BMX, everything, or like the port area. Right. And it was many different stages with music.

So we're sitting by like some park just next to the pier. Was like in Spain, the party starts at 3 a. m. So it was like 12 midnight, having a few pints there. And then you just see a cop car coming. Okay. A fight or something. I don't know. Another cop car, another cop car, ambulance, this and that. So the entire pier broke down and we're like 10 meters away from it.

Cause it was like jump around or something. So I'm like, pier broke down. No way. Nobody died. Luckily nothing but like 200 people landed in the ocean in the No way insane. Yeah. And everyone was fine, but we were like, okay, what's going on? What, okay. Anyways, went to Clubhouse with all the Spanish to celebrate, um, the victory and that nobody died on the accident, on the Pier

And, uh, no joke aside, but we, we've celebrated long. Then my, my, um, one of my best friends, Jan Hageman, which was also competing with me there. I was sharing the room with him, disappeared, it was like 5am, 6am was our shuttle to the airport. Oh shit. I went to the room, him lying dead on the floor, packed his bike, packed my bike, carried him down to the lobby, just made it on the bus.

Then the bus drove us, um, to, to the airport in Porto. And, um, then I had to wait six hours there with all the other people. Cause one guy was like, his flight was at like 7 AM. So everyone had to go at 7 AM, even if the flight was at, uh, 10 PM. Anyways, our flight was at like 2 PM. So we're sleeping there in the airport.

I had my little backpack with the cash. I was laying on my belly with the cash, my bike bag and other bag, just laying somewhere in the hallway. Like, still everyone was being absolutely drunk and smelling like alcohol. Um, sounds too rough, but took a flight back to Switzerland, came home by like 5 PM and then realized that I had a driving lessee.

Near fall, uh, with the driving school. Um, cause I, in Switzerland, you can only start driving lessons when you turn 18. And I turned 18 in June and, um, had all the events so I didn't really have that much time, but I really wanted to have a driving license to go to all the events by myself. So every time I had, cause I know I didn't have to work that day, that day, cause I'm arriving at like 4 PM, 5 PM.

So I was like, for sure, I'm going to take a driving lessons. Uh, let's see. So, uh, I was, I almost had no sleep. I was sober again. I can tell you that, um, by 6 PM, I got picked up by my house, by the car. And I had to driving lesson, uh, driving lesson. And, um, I think I cracked like three coffees. So, um, uh, and then I, uh, just drove there for one and a half hours and came back home and went straight to sleep and back to construction site the next morning.

Um, yeah, I mean, that's probably one of the roughest stories. Even though, yeah, the night wasn't that rowdy or anything, I just, we were just staying up late and I had many things planned the next day and it was pretty happy to be honest. That is a crazy 24 hours. Crazy, but yeah, I mean, it was fine. I was just tired in the car and, uh, it's definitely sober just for disclaimer.

So people. No, I'm not doing stuff because, uh, definitely not doing drink and driving. Cause that's, uh, yeah, definitely not. Definitely not. Like seriously. No worries. I just wanted to say that and be clear that people, that's cool. Um, it's cool that, uh, I think maybe. From the outside, it can look like, uh, Slopestyle guys are a bit, uh, out of control, but, uh, it seems like you've got your, your head, uh, screwed on straight.

So, um, But, um, not everyone, just saying, um, might be, uh, one of the more chill guys. There's definitely some rockstars out there, but they all got their head screwed on the right place, but they, they know how to celebrate. I'm going to tell you that, but I think the DH, the DH, the guys and girls, they're, um, definitely also good celebrators.

Yeah, for sure. Some of them, uh, some of them, uh, I mean, I think it is changing a little bit, like the sports becoming a lot more professional and so, you know, top guys like Bruni and Pierron and stuff. I don't know. If they party like the, like Greg and Steve Pete and stuff did back in the day. But, uh, yeah, man, that's, uh, yeah, that was the golden era, I guess.

Um, and, uh, like on the, I guess still on the party topic, I thought there would be a good transition. Uh, you obviously see I've got the beanie on, but, um, and I'm sponsored by Onifans, uh, and you would have noticed the last couple of years that coming into the sport, what's, uh, yeah, some people love it. Some people hate it.

What's your take on it? Do you think it's, uh, you know, how, how do you feel about them moving into sport? Um, obviously when I think Louis Buchanan was a bit earlier than you, everyone was like, Oh, is, is he going to like post nudes and stuff? Cause, uh, That's what the Onlyfans is mainly known about, but, um, I mean, like I, I don't care cause I feel like as long as people can get properly supported by outside industry brands and, uh, the brands are not hurting anyone and, uh, you know, it's unlike, I don't know how you say it.

Uh, you don't have a, I don't know, something which is bad on your helmet. I don't care. And I think it's, it's cool that, um, Yeah, they're helping out a lot of people and I just saw MMA, like Charles, Charles Oliveira, the Brazilian fighter is also supported. And, uh, I mean, it's, I guess the same, like the Instagram private, um, groups where you pay and you see some stuff, right.

Your race setups or how you prepare the things. And I feel like it's, it's a cool thing. I, to be honest, I didn't dig deep in there, but, uh, I mean, I know, feel like you guys are doing better than ever. And that's a pretty cool, which you're asking. Yeah, cool. It's, uh, it's always, I just, uh, it's interesting to find, you know, to hear people's perspectives and.

Yeah, but there's many keyboard warriors, you know, obviously people are hating and this and that, but I'm like, you know, I mean, you don't have to, uh, have naked, um, Stefan Garley key on OnlyFans, if you're like showing some cool stuff, which you only want to show to like the closest, um, fan group of yours.

Yeah. How like you chew your bike or. You have like a secret trick for your suspension or whatever, you know? Yeah, no, it's, it's, uh, I mean, because yeah, I think what a lot of people don't understand, you know, exactly like they think, Oh, we're going to post nudes or whatever. But, uh, you know, a lot of people don't understand what we're doing on the platform and also how the platform works.

And a lot of them have never been on OnlyFans. So, um, they, they judge it. You know, before they even have a look, but, um, you know, what, what our sports are not, uh, football or, um, or, you know, tennis or golf and those sports where, where the guys are winning millions in prize money. And, um, I mean, that's, that was going to be my next, uh, you know, question to you was, was how do you feel that the state of the sport is in now?

Uh, in terms of slope style and, and the prize money, the support the riders get, uh, you know, um, how do you, how do you think it is and, and how do you think it could be, uh, improved? Cause I know that the, it was, uh, was it in, in Rotorua or one of the rounds this year, they didn't ride, the men didn't ride because they, they weren't happy with the conditions.

Um, yeah. What's, what's your thoughts on that? I mean, you know, I mean, I love our sport and everything, and I'm also thankful for everyone that's putting on the events, but it was just like many discussions, one big reason was safety that we're like having our events in the morning rather than the evening where time window is so limited.

If it's going to be windy, you know, we rather start early in the morning and. If it's windy in the morning, we can at least try in the evening rather than not trying in the morning and doing our event in the evening. And we have to do it because there's no other option and we obviously want to have an event.

So that's why we're also dropping, even though the conditions are dangerous. That was one of the reasons. And also like, obviously you, the thing is like, you have to be a smart business person to get sponsors and only being a good rider is not good enough and, um, especially for some newcomers, which are just made it into the tour and like, You have to like learn how to deal with sponsorships and show value and like do your socials and this and that.

It's just hard. And for that one friend of us, um, Carollo, the Spanish guy, which just made it into Crankworx, had a super great season, but couldn't afford to come and had to quit his job because, or like they fired him because he wanted to go and he took too many holidays and. We were like, Oh, like everyone in our sport is working towards it.

So, um, some of the, I think it was Limon and Rogatkin and Eric, they made a group chat with us riders that we all want to pitch in for Corollo to make it to the event. And then all the competitors pitched in. Out of our own pockets to fund his travel. It's super cool. And obviously it was amazing. The only deal was that he has to write about advisor.

That was pretty funny. And obviously, yeah, I mean, we're, we're, we're competitors, but obviously we, we want to have the best for our sport. So we fight towards it and it was just always. We didn't get hurt. We were bringing up things many times and, uh, yeah, we had to do it kind of radically because it was always like from year to year and it was like in the words for two years that we wanted to change things and yeah, anyways, we're in better terms.

We made it back and, uh, hope that stuff's not going to happen anymore. But adding to the state of the sport, hey, obviously there could be more and better and bigger coverage, but our sport is a niche and, you know, Yeah, I feel like one thing which could be cool is, you know, in the broadcast always have a bit of a story and, um, it's mainly about the, the winners or the guys, the guys, girls, which have sponsors, which are sponsoring the event or the broadcast.

So it's not that easy if you're not like with one of those brands. To be putting on the live stream and I feel like it should because every one of us is such a special individual And um, if they would just tell a bit more about each person person that would make it so much more. Um, Entertaining for the fans and they would be rooting maybe To somebody which they weren't rooting before because they're like hey that person comes from such a Cool background and fought so hard and like came from nothing or whatever and now he's here And, um, yeah, I think that could be definitely proven.

And, um, obviously right now the cycling industry is in a tough, um, spot with having a crazy high and post COVID or during COVID and now there's, um, it's not many bikes are getting bought right now, so obviously a bit tricky, but. Yeah, I mean, obviously you want to get paid, but we also want to ride bikes.

So we somehow have to make it work. But, uh, for everyone, which listening, it's not like we're, we're like, uh, you know, road cyclists or something, which are making, uh, hundreds of thousands or millions or whatever, so. Everyone, um, out there is definitely doing it not for the money I'd say for the love of the sport.

And, uh, but I mean, I have to be thankful. I'm, I am thankful for riding my bike full time and, uh, having such cool brands supporting me. Cause I absolutely love my setup. Like I just write the coolest shit in my opinion, you know, so pretty proud of that and also getting paid to it is definitely cool. Yeah.

I mean, that's, that's the dream, right? Um, uh, I mean, so with the events and stuff, obviously slopestyle is not a race. Uh, like I think me personally, I like events that are clear cut. I mean, it's easy for everyone to see who wins and who comes second or third. And slopestyle is judged. And now, I don't know, I'm assuming that you watched rampage, um, and you.

maybe would have seen that the results were a little surprising to some people. Um, and how do you feel about judged events? And I mean, do you think that it's, that it's always fair or do you think there's a way that things could be maybe improved? Yeah, that's obviously a tricky one. I mean, our slope cell, the charges.

This panel is actually pretty cool because all of them were ex pros or maybe still living from biking, but like ex competitive slope style and free ride guys. And, uh, so they know what riding is about, which is, uh, which is great, but obviously people are doing worlds first in a, in an event and, uh, if you've never done a trick, it's hard to judge it.

So it is tricky and sometimes I feel like unfair judged, or sometimes I'm maybe better judged than I had thought. But, um, yeah, I mean, look, you can be angry after every event, but if I disagree with things, I just go to the truck to be like, Hey, I disagree. I'm like, Hey, what was, what was up? That's. I got that score or I didn't beat the next two persons in front of me or whatever.

And then they're telling me why. And then I just try to take that feedback and, uh, maybe do the things that in like next time neither, even though I think it was harder, but it is hard. And obviously a rampage, like it is so hard to tell if you're not there in person, if you're not seeing how big it is.

But me personally, I think that probably one of the coolest runs was Tyler McCall's. Cause it was so fast from all the way to the bottom, you know, big sense, beginning gaps, just full gas riding down the hill. And, uh, and, um, Sam and X one was obviously super tricky. He tricked everything. T Mac trick every single jump, but did some massive sense.

I can't tell it, but yeah, tricky. And for example, brand dog, there was brand dog, one of the coolest riders ever, and I love watching him. But for me, it's also hard to like see how gnarly it is. But I think if I would be there, like the short long shoot and stuff. Comparable. Yeah. To anything else I would've written or, I think it's just insane.

But um, yeah, to be honest, I don't think it was that bad. Judged everything in total and mm-hmm. What I think is the coolest. The coolest runs are the ones which are just bumping down the hill with big sense and yeah, just. Doing the Nors stuff rather than, um, more tricks. But hey, I will not say anything if I'm not there in person, if I'm not seeing the jumps and drops and the landings.

And uh, when I was younger I was like, I know I always, I can also do a tail weight drop and this and that, but now I'm like, Hey, no, you can probably not do the tail drop on the lolly pad. Uh, 'cause it is just so much harder and gnarly when you're there in person. So, yeah. Yeah, I'm not gonna touch it up until the moment I've been there and have written it.

Uh, you, uh, would you ever consider doing Rampage if you got an invite? Hey, to be honest, um, I'm loving riding all the other bikes lately, and I put a lot of time in on the e bike, trail bike, and downhill bike, especially now in fall. And I really love the riding. I don't do many tricks on it, but I just love going fast and hitting naughty stuff.

But, um, I mean, not comparables rampage, but like, you know, just some. Some cool steeps and do some gaps and stuff. But, uh, yeah, I mean, you see the age, average age in rampage is a bit higher than slope style and it's often also X slope styles, which made it rampage. So, yeah, I definitely know I have to practice a lot, but I would love to do it.

And, uh, I mean, see how it goes, but main focus for now is slope style, but I love riding the other bike more and more. Cause. It is way more about the jump than about the trick. Cause I feel like in slope set, whatever trick you want to do, if you practice it 10, 000 times, at some point you can do the craziest trick, but hitting a gnarly jump is like, either you can do it or you can't, you know?

So yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I, I like watching it at some point. Yeah. I, I I'm with you. I, I like, I think rampage is so sick to watch the. For sure. It's cool to see tricks, but I feel like slope style is if you want to see like the biggest tricks, then watch slope style and rampages, you know, the, the creativity, the line, how big someone goes like the speed, uh, which is what makes it so unique as a, as an event.

Um, and obviously a lot of guys, you mentioned a lot of guys went from, from slope style to rampage. Um, who did you, you know, coming into the sport growing up, did you have anyone you looked up to, or that was sort of your idol, so to speak? Um, to be honest, Sam Pilgrim, one of my biggest idols and funny thing is, um, obviously people know him now really well for doing funnier, uh, YouTube videos and stuff, but, uh, he was world champion in 2011, I think.

Yeah, one of many things. So this took ride, et cetera. So he was definitely when I was younger, one of my idols and, um, Simon Gottschalk was also one of my biggest idols. And, uh, yeah, to be honest, I was fan of everyone, which was doing the events and doing well. And, uh, Thomas, you know, I was also one of my idols.

And now you got trend and same with the others. And, uh, yeah, it was these, uh, rock stars.

Uh, and, um, you know, I think that's obviously as you, when you're younger, you more likely to have an idol as you know, when you get older, you sort of. It becomes, especially when you make it to, to your level, uh, it becomes, I'm sure at first it's a bit surreal, but then after a while you sort of get used to it and then it's not so much an idol, but more, as you said, a friend, or, um, you actually competing against the people that you looked up to.

Um, what would you, have you got any advice, you know, to, to younger riders coming up that, that maybe you wish someone had said to you before you got into the sport? Yeah, when I was younger, to be honest, I always wanted to make it happen the next season, like, isn't that, and it has to be now, now, now, now, and now looking back, I would just tell myself like, Hey, you can actually chill a bit more and just keep on working to it.

And like, don't be upset if you don't get the results right away, because obviously it's a young person sports, but looking back at like, I think Paul which got signed with, um, a drink sponsor. With 26, you know, and like when he was younger, it was doing his studies and stuff. And, uh, obviously as long as better and bigger sport gets less time, there is for studying and stuff.

Cause everyone's working 27 towards it. But also for me, like I scored better, the bigger sponsorships. When I was, um, okay, 22 is actually pretty young, but when I was 22, but you know, like back then when I was 16, I have to work. I get sponsors now. Like, I don't have sponsors now. I will never be able to live from it, but like, Hey, good results come after time, if you're like, just sticking to it and working for it.

And, uh, All good things, um, align itself if you, um, just believe in yourself and, uh, just work towards it. And if you know, obviously, if you're like writing once a week and you're like, I want to be world champion, it's not going to work. But if you're like, Hey, just doing the best I can possibly do to make it at least close to a world championship title and just do it.

And. Just, uh, believe in yourself. I think it's, uh, yeah, it's interesting that you said that because I feel in a lot of ways, similar, um, I've, I'm sure you've gotten it as well, but kids, you know, probably message messaging you on social media and stuff and asking how to get sponsored and, and this and that.

And a lot of them are super young and, uh, I normally, for me, I normally tell them, don't, to be honest, don't worry about getting sponsored. Just yet, you know, rather focus on having fun, getting better. Um, and worry about that when you get a bit older, because I feel like even if you do get, I mean, it's hard, um, but until you've got a good social media following or a lot of good results, it's hard to get sponsors, but even if you did, it brings so much extra pressure and it sort of starts to, you know, bring that side of it into it.

And I think when you. When you're a teenager, that's the last thing that, that you need. Um, you need to just be focused on, on becoming the best rider that you can. Um, obviously, for example, when I saw Jackson Goldstone, um, when he was like 12 or something with like, uh, orange Fox factory for it, when you couldn't even buy him back then, I was like, yeah, doing something wrong.

But obviously there is those like super talents, um, which we're getting brand super young, but. Like, Hey, also a friend of mine, younger one asked me like, Oh, you know, he was already getting, um, through some distribution, I think some bike part, but then he could have gotten from another brand directly from the brand to say like some other handlebars.

But it was being like, Hey, like right now, I guess you're living at home. And, uh, if your parents are also doing a ride, you maybe don't have to worry too much about. Cash and you rather should just write the product, which makes you feel good. Would you like, and uh, rather than like taking some off where you actually don't even want to take, but there's.

Bit of money in there, like, obviously it's different. And I'm like, I'm spoiled to come from Switzerland where it is a good economy and this and that, but yeah, I just realized like, Hey, for me, I need to just ride cool parts and cool bikes and clothes and et cetera, to be feeling the best and riding the coolest.

And, uh, yeah, I know just right. And do the things you love and then it comes to the best. And yeah, I mean, look now thinking back, obviously I would be, I was so stressed out of getting sponsorships and maybe it was also good because then I also worked to sponsor your ships, but you just have to have fine balance and if you're.

You can ride your bike almost every day and, uh, go to school and you don't have to worry about sponsorships and stuff. And you just enjoy riding. It's I think better than having to be stressed out about sponsorship and enjoy riding less.

That's a one advice there. Um, so, uh, Um, you obviously pretty young still, uh, you 24, but, uh, you might not have even given this any thought, but, um, have you ever given any thought as to what you'd want to do after riding bikes? And if you weren't doing what you're doing now, what do you think you'd be doing?

Hey, I definitely gave, put some thoughts in, um, what I would want to do after my pro cyclist career. And, um, I'm going to be here. I didn't figure it out totally yet, but Hey, I have such a big network in Switzerland of like, it's mainly biking, but I go to so many local events. I do shows. I consult things of how to build things sometimes.

And, uh, to be honest, I, I don't know if you know, for example, Swiss literally if you ride it at Rampage two or three times and he's running with his brother and all the other local bikers from two in the running flying metal crew, which is And amazing, uh, bike park building and event company and is running super good.

And like, I don't know, it just shows some confidence for me that like, if you do the same, if you do the same work into which I did into biking and to another thing, um, it will come a right. And, uh, also one of my best friends, I don't know if you know him, Chris Lab, but he also had some competitions with guy and now he's also self employed winning, winning, winning.

Bike park building industry and it's doing really well. And like, yeah, he was at the same point, like me, it was just riding. And at some point he didn't ride anymore for a living. So, you know, I don't know. Um, I'm just definitely super grateful to be living in Switzerland. And, uh, I also have a diploma as electrician and.

I just know like, okay, if worse comes to worse, I just started working at a job and I can really live from it because I'm lucky to be mean, Switzerland's pretty good for that. For sure. For sure. But if you, I don't know, if you're from South Africa and. It might be not as easy. I don't know if you haven't thought what you want to do later, but Hey, obviously I have it in the back of my mind, but I really want to focus on my biking.

Cause I, I know, like if I stress myself out about this right now, it's going to be bad, but if I have some good conversations with good people, which have cool ideas in mind and, uh, want me to be on board, I keep it in the back of my mind and, uh, try to stay in contact to make other things happen than, uh, results, you know?

Yeah, for sure. That's that's sick, man. Uh, it's good that you've given it some thought because I think that's, uh, it can be a problem for, for people if you, if you kind of live in this bubble for, for years and then suddenly it's like, Oh, okay, now what? You know? But, um. So the, the, the whole, I guess the main purpose of this podcast is to, is to chat to really successful people and athletes and, uh, and figure out what makes people.

Like why, what makes people successful? Actually, what is it that differentiates people? And, uh, so to end off the podcast, I always have two questions, which I'll ask every guest, um, and the first one is what does success mean to you? What does the word success mean to you? Hey, success. Like, what, what do what do you think would, would make you successful as a person?

Um, I mean, dedication, passion, um, hard work, dealing with, uh, failure and, um, yeah, I feel like not giving up is definitely what makes you successful and what you wanna be and success itself. Can be super different for everyone. You know, obviously there's success on paper with results, but for me, scoring a great sponsorship or, um, learning how to come back from an injury or from a tough season and stuff, I think is all success, which is good for a human being and in life in general.

And, uh, yeah, sports is such a up and down and like from the highest, highest to the highest lows. So I know, I just think the full package is already success. Good answer. Um, and so, and for you personally, what do you think, so the second part, what do you think has made you successful? You know, what do you think has been the biggest factor that's gotten you to where you are now?

Um, I think that I was always working to my, um, goals and then I wasn't really giving up 'cause. Back when I was doing my four year apprenticeship, I was just working construction site seven to five, um, normal work week. And, uh, one day a week was school. And then he had also had to study after work for the school staff and this and that.

And I was always, always went biking, uh, even though it was super hard and there was many things to do and I had to miss out on many other things. I just always stick to biking because I love doing it. And I also really wanted to, you Compete and, uh, do it for a living after you had some success in some events.

And, uh, I really just never gave up and always, yeah, I had my eyes open to opportunities and. It was just, uh, yeah, sometimes right on the right place at the right time. And, uh, it's also trying to be just nice to, to everyone, which I'll try to be always, but like, I don't know, it's just feeling like being, um, happy and nice and, uh, cool to work with and dedicated and working hard.

I mean, I don't want to sound like, uh, too much, but like, I just felt like, yeah, it's just how it work. And also to be honest, I had, my parents were super supportive. Obviously a bit of a Swiss mindset, like you should do dedication stuff. And education with my apprenticeship and stuff, which also I think is good because it takes a lot of pressure away.

Cause I know like I didn't just put it all on biking and if biking doesn't go too good, I know I just didn't waste all the last 10 years only for biking, you know, also did something else next to it. And yeah, my parents helped me a lot. And, um, my friends, my, all my surroundings and without them and. My homies I was riding with always, I would never be here.

So it's a teamwork. That's, uh, yeah, that's, that's the, the point, like the people that are around you, I think make the, for me, make the biggest difference as well. A hundred percent. Dude, uh, thank you so much for, uh, yeah, for coming on. It's been really, it's been really fun to catch up and, um, yeah, learn a bit more also about Slopestyle because obviously, I mean, I've watched Slopestyle for years, but I guess I've never spoken to someone in depth about, you know, about the sport and then kind of what goes into it.

So it's, it's been really cool to hear your story. Yeah. It's been, it's been cool to chat. It's been a while. I think the last time we met, maybe we've met somewhere briefly, but like the last time we had a conversation was I think at Kenda team camp 2021. Yeah. Yeah. Crazy. And then we were chilling in the, in the pool at the hotel.

Exactly. Some lapsing from nice. So yeah, it's pretty cool. We need to, we need to do some, do some writing again. I haven't, uh, I haven't written, I saw you writing at, um, uh, what's that spot again in, in Zurich? Um, you're the dirt jump spot. Oh, anti dirt. Yeah. Yeah. Anti dirt. Yeah. I think that's the last time that I wrote dirt jumps.

It was like two years ago. Oh, really? I don't know. Probably, I was with Misha Rudolf, I guess. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Exactly. Um, so yeah, we should, uh, hook up a ride sometime. That'd be fun. For sure. Or somewhere in the Alps. I don't know. Who would bike park or yeah, more scene, whatever, you know, all these cool places.

Sounds good, dude. Uh, yeah. Thanks for coming on. Thank you. Yeah. Thanks, man. Uh, see you next time. See you next time. I want to, I want to like go, go like that, but you're not here.

That was iconic.