Weightless

If someone had told me when I was a kid that only 10% of people would grow up and only 5% of them would succeed at it, it would of probably had more of an appeal to me. But instead I was told the opposite, that everyone had to grow up and that everyone will essentially be doing the same thing with their lives once they hit certain ages. To me, there is nothing appealing about playing “follow the leader” and growing up.

I won’t deny all that nonsense about growing up is still a really hard thing to do, and it definately comes with a bag of heavy burdens that sit directly on our shoulders. But let me explain to you the power of getting stoked!…have you ever tried lifting a 50 pound weight on dry land? Then tried lifting the same weight under water? Even though it’s mass never changes, there is an incredible difference in the resistance making it easy to lift. That's what happens when you get stoked, a typical heavy burden in life, becomes weightless.

Between the sports psychology, social dynamics and general mental health books I’ve read over the years, there is one statement that stood out from all of the Dr. Phil mumbo jumbo.

“Don't be re-active, be pro-active”.

Hello, my name is Jason...and im an addict.

Believe it or not, growing up, all I wanted to do was golf...I was obsessed with it. Every day during the summer, my parents would drop me off at the course on their way to work, then pick me up on their way home. This went on for about five or six years...until I was introduced to a hormonal drug, called Epinephrine...aka.Adrenaline.

All of a sudden I noticed all the people I played golf with were my grandparents age, they would mysteriously disappear into the shadows of the clubhouse if the temperature went even 1 degree over 20, and the daily Groundhog Day'esqe conversations with senior citizens even started to make me feel like I was the one losing my marbles...the only explanation for my sudden mood swing with golf (no pun intended), was that I wanted more Epinephrine!

"you can't get hurt playing the guitar, thats why im not a rockstar!"

- Jason Ellis

The Search

I spent the better part of the last fifteen years chasing dreams and accomplishing goals I had set out for myself in motocross. Most of which I managed to cross off my list in one way or another...albiet, I didn't set the world on fire and win the countless National Championships I imagined I would when I was kid bicycling around the neighbourhood with hockey cards in my spokes, but I did manage to maintain a healthy love for the sport I grew up with and was even able to make a decent living at it. So I guess at the end of the day that's all that mattered, my life revolved around dirtbikes, I didn't have to grow up and I didn't have to wear a suit to work.

I guess the easiest way to metaphorically describe my transition out of motocross, is like falling out of love with a girlfriend. You can keep her around, clinging to the memories of the good times you once had and convincing yourself they aren't as distant as you want to think. Or you can move on. Search for something new to love, to learn and to teach you new things about yourself and the game of life that we all have to play.

Im lucky in way...my roots are so deeply planted in the motocross, I always know in the back of my heart that it will always be there for a fling whenever I need it. Maybe that's why im not scared to go on "the search".

note:what appears to be an errection.Clearly it was love at first sight.

The Racer X Canada Family; (from L to R) Brett Dailey-General Manager, Dan O'shea -Creative Director, Danny Brault-Assistant Editor, Me -Advertising Sales/Marketing Communications, JTG -Editor/Photographer, Jolene Van Vugt-Graphic Designer, Dawn McClintock -Art Director, Allison Kennedy-Editor/Photographer