Jared Graves

How does FOX contribute to your success?
FOX provides me with the best suspension for the job. They are always on hand to work on something I am trying to get from my suspension, and listen to feedback.

Tell us about your bike/vehicle setup.
Stiff and low!

What else is in your garage?
Mostly bike related stuff, a 140cc mini bike, empty bottles of Bundy Rum. My squat rack and other training essentials.

What's your training regimen?
Top Secret.

Any major injuries, and how did you recover?
Lost a kidney back in 2001, lots of time in front of the TV for recovery.

What's your typical pre-race/event meal? Guilty pleasure?
Anything with chicken, some veggies, and some kind of pasta.

How do you determine which races or events to enter each year?
Everything is based around World Cups, I'll do some other races for fun/training.

What motivated you to get started professionally?
Always been overly competitive, racing was a natural progression.

What separates you from other professional athletes?
I am more focused and better prepared, I can shut out/ignore the bad things.

What would you be doing if you weren't a professional athlete?
Honestly, no idea. If I wasn't into bike riding I probably would have found some other sport to work at being a professional at.

What's the best thing about being a professional athlete?
Being able to ride whenever you want, especially during the off-season when there are no races going on, and I can ride what I want, when I want.

What other sports are you interested in?
If it's a sport, then I'm into it. I'll sit and watch and get into just about anything.

Any advice to the readers dreaming to turn pro?
Be prepared to make sacrifices. Too many people with talent come along for a while, but fall short of what they could be because they let other things get in the way. You have to find a way to keep it all fun still, otherwise it isn't worth doing either.

What are your favorite magazines and websites?
No real favorites, just a bit of everything.

Favorite movie quote?
Nothing springs to mind. But one I think of a lot is "don't get bitter, get better".

Who is your hero?
Anyone who is having a solid crack at doing what they dream of. Not just getting drunk at night and talking about it.

Are you a Mac or PC? Mac

Top 3 bands Silversun Pickups, Chevelle, and The Butterfly Effect

Greatest strength Preparation, keeping my head screwed on at races.

Most frustrating challenge Getting back on the BMX after a long stretch of MTB riding and races.