Insight with Chris Van Vliet - MTV's The Challenge Host TJ Lavin On How To Create Your Own Luck

Episode Date: February 17, 2022

TJ Lavin (@tjlavin) is a professional BMX rider and the host of "The Challenge" and "Real World/Road Rules Challenge" on MTV. He joins Chris Van Vliet at the Blue Wire Studios at Wynn Las Vegas to talk about how he went from X Games athlete to TV host, his serious BMX crash that left him in a coma, how he feels he would do as a competitor on The Challenge, why he feels he's the luckiest guy on earth and much more! For more information about CVV and INSIGHT go to: https://podcast.chrisvanvliet.com If you enjoyed this episode, could I ask you to please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcast/iTunes? It takes less than a minute and makes a huge difference in helping to spread the word about the show and also to convince some hard-to-get guests. Follow CVV on social media: Instagram: instagram.com/ChrisVanVliet Twitter: twitter.com/ChrisVanVliet Facebook: facebook.com/ChrisVanVliet YouTube: youtube.com/ChrisVanVliet TikTok: tiktok.com/@Chris.VanVliet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

All systems are going. Ladies and gentlemen, Chris Van Blin. Oh, welcome back, my friends, to another audio adventure here on Insight. I'm CVV, Chris Van Vlee. Thank you so much for being back with us inside the gorgeous Blue Wire Studios at the Wind Las Vegas, with a face that if you've watched MTV at any point over the last 15 years, you most definitely recognize. T.J. Lavin has been the host of the challenge.

for what seems like forever. And we dig into how he became a pro BMX rider, turned TV host, and why he calls himself the luckiest guy in the world. I thoroughly enjoyed this. I know that you will as well. And I'm sure you have a friend who loves reality TV and who loves the challenge.

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Let's get right into this conversation. Please welcome. T.J. Lavin. Man, I just appreciate you coming by. Thank you so much. My pleasure, man. I appreciate you having me.

No, it's, I've wanted to talk to you for a long time because, like, everybody else, I grew up watching MTV. So, like, it's good to have you here in the flesh. Oh, well, thank you, sir. I appreciate that. Yeah.

It's been a crazy ride because I've actually been a TV host longer than I was a professional BMX rider. Yeah. Which was my first life. And that's insane because I had a lot of fun. And it was like that was my life for so many years. Yeah. And then now, and I don't feel old, but I somehow have to be because it was like, it's so

crazy. This is kind of like, like Rob Deirdrick, who's like, you know, he was the skateboarding guy. Yeah. But no, he's a TV host guy. Yeah, that's exactly like, Dardick. He's a good dude. And him and I get along and we've, you know, we've crossed paths a number of times in X games, settings and stuff like that.

And then all of a sudden we're both on the red carpet at MTV Movie Awards or something. It's so funny. And I was like, dude, this is so weird, huh? And he's like, I know. It's crazy. So when do you feel like you made the identity shift to? Oh, yeah. I am TV host guy now.

Probably like this year. This year. I sort of got it. I was like, I was a BMX rider until I got hurt really bad in 2010. Yeah. And then after that, I was, I was like trying to be BMX rider still, but there's just no way. Like, you can't compete with those dudes. If you have a year and a half off from head injury, it's impossible to catch back up, especially at my age.

You know what I mean? So I was like, I was 33 when I got head injury. And that's like a long time ago. now. So it's like, dude, you got to, like, really be good to even come close. When you had that injury and you came back, were you nervous to get back on a bike? Yeah, very. And I still am. I'm like, I don't, yeah, I don't ride BMX anymore because I just don't want no part of it. Like, I don't want the injuries and I had so many of them, like, that it's like, uncle, you know? Like, at some point, you got to, like, be like, dude, it's not worth

it. Like, don't put the bones outside of your body anymore. Like, I, like, I, like, I, like, I, like, like broke my leg so bad, the bones came out and it's like, dude, that's ridiculous. Like the pain was like next level. And I'm like, yo, that was really dumb. Why did I do that? But the profession that you're in kind of says that at some point, one of your bones or many of them are going to break. Yeah. Oh, for sure.

I mean, I broke a lot of them. And I have a lot of metal in my body and everything else. And I'm cool with all that. And I feel more physically fit than I ever have been. And I'm 45 years old. Like, you look great. It's crazy. I feel great and I feel more healthy than ever and it's just, it's a good place to be.

So I try to stay safe as I can. I snowboard a little bit here and there. And like we're going really, really fast in Park City the other day. A friend of my Andy invited me up to his place in Park City and we were, we were sessioning the snowboard and it was pretty fun. But after the snowboarding, I was like, dang, that was scary. Like, why did I do that? I scare myself still a little bit.

And I'm like, all right, that's perfect. I feel like everybody hits a certain age, and it's a different age for everybody, where you realize that you can break bones or that you're not invincible. Yeah, mine was 43. 43. But you had a really bad accident also, like 41, too, didn't?

Oh, yeah. Like, I bashed my head open and had multiple stitches or staples. I'm not sure what they did. I can't remember. But it was like, it was a brutal crash, and it was a freak accident to where the handlebar went into the ground, but the other handlebar, the other side of the handlebar went through my helmet and up into my helmet, like where the helmet meets the head. Is that where that scar is from? Yeah,

yeah. Oh, that's a big scar. And it was like, it was like filet fish. It was, it was gnarly. And, and I was, I was like, hmm, that's not a good look. I hope I'm too, you're not out of me. I was like, man, I don't really want to lose my job over this. Like, what am I doing? Damn, but like, we all think we're like invincible or fearless when we're growing up. Yeah. Every kid I did the same thing. Like you go off ramps or whatever. I had a moment where I felt like face first off a mountain bike landed on my face on TV and went,

I probably shouldn't be doing that stuff anymore. Yeah, like that I did that same thing, but I broke both of my collarbones off the sternum. And it was brutal, dude. like it was a downhill mountain bike races. My first downhill race, pro mountain bike race. And I was following this dude, Eric Carter,

who was one of the baddest dudes ever. And I was following him real, real close. And we were having so much fun. He's a former BMX guy. So we were just partying. And then after this big left-hand turn, there was a drop.

And I had no idea that it was even there. And I woke up like five minutes later. I got my bell wrong and I was out. And then both sternum, like it was cracked and it was just the the clavicles were jeopardized it was not good how many how many bones have you broke i never counted i have no idea i broke my wrists six times total three and three so i'm metal in them and everything so yeah i just remember like god wrists are just such crap like why would you ever like i don't even know who built these wrists but they're

terrible. Can you imagine how bad they probably were before the evolution of like landing on your hands? Yeah, they had in before I got all this metal in them. You must be fun at the airport when you try to go through security. You know what? I think that's a complete myth because I have a lot of metal and like I have 10 screws and two plates in my wrist, another two screws in this wrist, a giant rod that goes down my tibia, like it through the tibia, and then a plate and 10 screws to hold it all together on the fibula and then the rest of it. So it's, it's amount, the amount of, of screws and plates and bars and everything in my body, it would definitely set it off if they did set it off. I do get that thing like that when they go over whatever. Yeah, like the x-ray machine

every time. Yeah. I get the wand every time. And I don't know if that's because they see it in my x-rays. Yeah. They're like, yo, what is going on here, bro? You have a lot. But yeah. Man. What was the most painful one? The leg, for sure. I mean, the brain injury was nothing compared to the leg. So that's a compound fracture of your tibia amphibul? Yeah, both of those bad boys. And then they went in the dirt, and that's like the bad part.

Like, when you're inside of your bone hits the air, it's a different level of pain. Okay. Yeah, like broken wrists, I came to, I went to the hospital with a frozen bean breeder like nothing. Like didn't even, it was nothing. You were eating a frozen bean burrito. Yeah, yeah, dude. Like I just heated up the bean burrito, ate it, and then I had a packet of frozen brem burritos on my wrist.

So like you're chilling and then you're just like, no big deal. And your arm looks like an S, but it doesn't come out. So it's okay. Oh. But when I had the head injury, I actually shattered my wrist. And they almost fused it. But now it goes back pretty good. I mean, that's as bad as it goes.

but it was a really bad horrific injury had it just been the wrist but they they they have some amazing doctors here in Vegas and they look at that scar my god there's a couple plates in there and like screws everywhere but like it's it's I mean I'm definitely not cut out for TV because I have so many scars on my face my nose my bridge my nose my head my chair everything is just jacked But, like, I'm probably lucky that it wasn't worse. Well, I think even without the scars, you weren't the, you know, air quotes, prototypical television host. No. Which is probably why MTV wanted to at least try with you.

Yeah, it was, I mean, I remember the day that I got there. I was on the plane on the way there the night before, and I was going to Trinidad and Tobago. And they had already said, like, you're our guy. You're our guy. Did you have to audition? No. Yeah, yeah, I did audition. I auditioned out with Keir Dillon and Corey Nastasio.

Those were the two dudes. So they knew what they were looking for. Yeah, and those two dudes were action sports guys too. So I was like, and then one of them was my best friend. Like, I love Corey. And he's a longtime friend and everything. And then we went into this meeting in L.A. And there's this dude Justin Booth, who's from Alabama,

the thickest accent you've ever heard in your life. And he's one of the executive producers. And he was like, TJ, if you were me, who would you choose? and I go nasty No, no hesitation Oh wow I was like nasty for sure 100%

More charisma in his pinky than any 10 people I know In their whole body And I stand by that statement The guy is incredible So why do you think they went with you Because MTV wanted me And they were the end all be all

And and Bia Murray said We're going with nasty And then MTV said No you're not You're going with TGA And then I said All right well I'll do it And then

I guess I'll do it do it. Yeah, and I was like, I'll just do it one or two seasons, whatever. And it was my friend Vinnie Pottisivo, and he's the one that was like, no, we're doing T.J. For sure. And then he introduced me to Jackie French, who was the head honcho there back in the day, like, for real. And she, she was like, yeah, that's our guy. And I was like, so confused. Like, we had a backyard barbecue at my house, and I met Vinny, and I met everybody. It was real cool. But I just didn't know why they were, like, so hell bent. on getting me. And then, I mean, Vinny saw it.

Like, he was like, dude, you're the dude. Like, that's it. And that was it. I was like, did they ever tell you what specifically it was? Um, yeah. Yeah. It was, um, it's because I had such a quick tongue. Like, I was very fast and I wasn't scared to put it out there. So, um, like, so the quick story, I was in, I was in New York, um, to sign with William Morris agency back in the day. And, um, VINN. And, um, Vinny called me out of nowhere. And he's like, how you doing?

I was like, great. You're never going to believe this. I'm in New York. He goes, no way. And this is 2005. So I had like a crappy cell phone and everything else. And so I was like, he goes, come up to my office. And I'm like, all right, cool.

You have an office? Because he was a PA when he was out here in my house. He was like, just sweeping my back porch and we were friends. I was like, come in. I'll cook you some casadias. And he was like, no, no, no, I got to finish this. I was like, I'll help you. So we were friends.

Yeah. And then instant. friends and then we were cool whatever whatever fast forward five years and it's 2004 in December I'm in New York City and we go in we go up there or maybe it was October because it wasn't snowing but um yet and then so we go up to his office and I walk in there and I see rainbows everywhere and I'm like Vinnie are you gay and he goes yeah and I go oh thank God and then I just took the edge off you know, because I didn't want him to feel like I had a problem with that. I wanted him to know that I was cool.

Like, I was a supporter. I love you. Like, I don't care about that at all. And he was like, do you want to show? Because I was like, thank God, because there's, you leave more chicks for us because he's a really good looking dude. I was like, look at this beautiful bastard. I was like, you can't do that. Like, I was super fast with the tongue.

And he was like, he's like, dude, do you want to show? And I was like, sure. What is it? He goes, it's called The Challenge. I go, no, that's my friend Dave's show. I can't do that. He goes, no, Dave's over it. You should call him.

And I was like, all right, so I called Dave Mira. Yeah. Right there. Wow. And he's a good friend of mine. And he was like, oh, TJ, you'll love it. Dude, just do it for a couple seasons. You know, he'll probably be over it, but it is what it is.

And I was like, all right, I'll take it. And then that was it. He walked me into Jackie French's office. I met her. She was real sweet. And then I looked down, and we were on the 32nd floor. And I remember it being 320 feet-ish because 10 feet per floor, right? Sure.

That's what I'm thinking. So I said, well, you're going to need a rope for this because this was after 9-11. And I was like, dude, you're going to need a rope for this because I'm scared to death of these buildings now. And that's what I'm going to get hurt. So I got her a rope for Christmas and sent it to her 350 feet of rope. And I said, put this under your desk in case. And then she thought that was the most thoughtful gift in the world. So that was cool.

And then that was like my first introduction to Jackie French. And she's like a lifelong friend now. And then Vinnie Podostivo and I are real tight as well. And Justin Booth is my brother. So that's crazy. Well, now you can't even think of the challenge without thinking you. Like you're the guy. Yeah.

So then, oh, yeah. So I'm sorry about that. I went off on this tangent. But I was in Trinidad and Tobago. And I remember sitting on the plane and I was like, dude, this is very scary. Because I'm by myself and I don't know anybody. I see a dude with the cowboy hat on. I'm like, he must be cast or something maybe.

Or like, I'm seeing all these people and he ended up being crew, actually. But I was like, this is so weird. Like, who's on the show? Who's not? Because it was a small, tiny plane to flying onto the island and everything of Trinidad and Tobago. And I'm like, all right. So we get there, load into a bus. They take us to the hotel.

And they give me this really sick room. And I'm like, wow, this is crazy. And then the next day, they were like, we're starting in the morning. I was like, all right, cool. And I'm never late. So I always am on time. And if not, I'm 30 minutes early. Like, I chalk the track every day.

Like, I'm always on time. And I take pride in punctuality. And so, and I expect it, but I don't get it back. So I'm the exact same way. Yeah, dude. So I noticed that because I walk in here and all of a sudden we're doing the interview in two seconds. Damn right. Yeah, I love it.

Yeah. So I'm treated out in Tobago. It's raining. He hands me a script and he says, learn this. And there's three pages of stuff. And I'm like, oh, my God. And he's like, there's 36 cast members right over there waiting for you hear what's going on. So get it right.

And I was like, oh, sweet. So I sit there and I'm like studying this script. And I'm like, dude, there's no possible way you can memorize it. Right. So I just read it. And I said, okay, now let me explain this in my terms. and I just said it whatever I thought. You know what I mean?

Like I said, okay, this is the game. And I internalized it, like how to play the game, why it play it and what works and who's who and what's what. 36 is the number and all this stuff. And I just memorized those main bullet points and then spit them out right away. First, no mess ups. So they were like, because we didn't even have live reads back then,

which was practice. We just did straight to tape. Oh, wow. And I was like, all right, and I sent it in the rain. And then the rain came and I played on the rain. I was like, oh, yeah, so we're just going to do this in the rain. You know what I just mentioned it. And it was like kind of cool.

And I remember it. I don't even, I haven't even seen it. I don't remember, like, if I've watched it ever. I don't think I have. But I just remember those things like it was yesterday. As far as a time commitment, how long does it take you from start to finish to do a season? Well, a real season of the challenge, like the flagship show, it takes us around 10 weeks. 10 weeks?

Yeah, I'll be gone. I'll be living in another country. This time was in Croatia, and it was badass. I loved it. And Rovine. It's like, so sick. And I get those experiences. I mean, it's really crazy. Living over, I mean, I've been to like maybe 50 countries, over 50 countries.

from the show, really. And then to live in, you know, probably 20 countries-ish, give or take, all five continents, like five of the seven continents, right? So five of them, I've lived in Antarctica yet. Never have even been there. But nor do I want to. Maybe that's another season. It's too cold, bro.

Yeah, maybe, but I hope not. So don't get any ideas. So then, but like in five continents, I lived in. Which other continent haven't you lived on? I lived in Africa. Okay. And I spent over a year of my life. So Africa, North America, North America, South America.

Asia? Okay. Australia. And then Europe. Yeah, in Europe. So that's six out of seven. Six out of seven. I'm doing pretty good.

Well, now it's time to live in Australia. Or sorry, Antarctica. Six out of seven. Yeah, yeah. Six out of seven. Yeah. Wow. I never count.

I thought I lived in five. But yeah, that's it. Which one did you think you did? Over a year of my life I've lived in. Which one did you think you did? live on or in i didn't i didn't even count them i just maybe i counted them like 10 years ago and north america south america europe yeah africa australia in australia yeah i forgot australia was a continent there you go that's why that's why it's turning into a geography last yeah it is it is that i forgot

that though because i in australia and new zealand like i spent over a year of my life altogether there spent over a year my life in africa over year my life in europe over a year of my life in central i mean in Central America together and North America, obviously. What do you think has made you a better TV host over this time? Probably Justin Booth. Like, he's the executive producer of the show, the main dude. He really helped me a lot brush up the skills and turn into a TV personality. Like just polishing it a little?

Yeah, like, you know, be yourself. And then, like, now he doesn't even, like, give me a script. It's crazy. like like we went from like three pages of script get it right don't mess up yeah things like that to now it's like don't even give him a script he's just going to know the game like he'll he'll go there a lot of pressure too they all know that i'm going to go there early because i never am late like i said so like i'll change a tire for somebody and still get to set on time like it's it's it's real crazy like i'll chalk the track every time and that's like a bmx term but that's that's what i do

What does chalk the track mean for everybody who's not a BMX rider? If you, if you show up to a BMX race, the first guy there chocks the track. So that's- He leaves the trail. Yes. Yes, he leaves the trail where to follow, right? Yeah. Where the track is. So the guy that chocks the track is always the first one there.

I'm the guy that always chocks the track. And we used to make fun of my old team manager, Travis Chippres. And we were like, chav, there goes traves, chock on the track again. So, like, that was always the term. And now I chalk the track everywhere I go, no matter what. Like I showed up here 30 minutes early. You know, like, just chalk the track.

It's like a great just like life lesson. Yeah. I love that. Yeah. And now I'm actually in the midst of possibly writing a book. I, I walked for an hour and told one of my stories to a writer named Michael Nelson, who's never written a book,

but he's the most talented writer I've ever met. He's from New York. He was working on one of my stories. shows in Croatia. And I read these things called The Night Befores. It's about, I think it's the night befores. I think that's what they call it. Something else. They call it something else. I can't remember what it is. But they send them to me every day and I read them. And it's hard to retain the information. And I'm not very entertained by these things. But I read his and I couldn't put it down because the guy writes so good. I just couldn't believe that I really cared about

these things. And I was like, dude, have you ever written a book? And he's like, no. And I go, do you want to write mine? He goes, I would love to. And I was like, all, cool, let's do it. So it's going to be called chalk the track. So now, I mean, now that we're talking about it, maybe. That's a pretty good, that's a good name. What else would you call it? I mean, I feel like, something about the challenge, maybe? No, I think it's going to be like, have to do with being the luckiest person alive because I really feel like that. Yeah, that's in your Instagram bio. Yeah, I am no doubt about it.

I mean, anybody wants to challenge me, I'm down. To challenge you? Yeah, anybody wants to challenge me for the luckiest person alive. I'm down. And I will salute you if you are. Why do you feel that way? Just, I mean, my life is like just crazy. I mean, I have so many stories of luck that it's not even funny.

and I'm from Vegas. I'm born here. And it's like luckiest city in the world. And I'm here. And like I know. No one can say where they're born. No one has a choice of where you're born. So I was super lucky kid right out of the gate. Like not only am I born in the U.S.,

I'm born in the best city in the U.S. In the best neighborhood, in the best city in the U.S. Like my luck is like insane. for that right away. So instantly I'm like, dude, I'm thankful. Like, I can't even believe that that happened. Well, that's all the stuff you can't control. Yeah. I'm guessing a lot of the other things in your life are moments where you've been lucky because you've been really prepared or you've met a lot of the right people and it's all led up to those moments. Well, preparation meets, um, yeah, what is it? No, no, it's, it's, uh, geez, preparation meets opportunity. Yes.

And that's luck. Luck. So, right well that's normally luck i agree and i definitely had to practice my bike every day i rode hours and hours and then i won my first pro contest so like i turned pro went there beat the guys that were in the x games yeah and then that was a deal deal maker so i just instantly got deals and i started making money and started doing bicycle riding for a living like bmx like dude come on Bicycle riding for a living. Yeah, dude. Like, that's insane.

Nobody rides BMX bikes for a living. They do, but I didn't know that they did, like doing dirt jumping. Like, well, I'll tell you where the other, even racing. Where the other luck part comes in is the X games and all that wasn't really a thing. Not even. I mean, if you were born 10 years earlier, we wouldn't be having this conversation. Five. Five.

I would be tough. It would be hard. Actually, five years, yeah, I would have been because Fuzzy, who's, my buddy, he was born five years before me. He's probably eight years before me. And he was right on the tail end of the X-Games situation. But having won it a couple times or a few times, whatever, there's no way that I would have been winning it if I was at the exact age,

at the exact moment, at the exact time. And so, like, that's insane. Like, to think about all the things that happened. And Ron Simile, who invented the X-Games, he's like the guy and he would come and watch my contests and he was like big fans he was the biggest fan of me and nasty like nastasio so he would always like hey jj and he's in the audience and he's like get him yeah come on nasty and like all this stuff and we were laughing like who is that guy that crazy guy with the voice and they're like that's ron simio like that is espn like that's the guy and i was

like really and so like just a million stories like that are just so I mean, it's just insane, man. Like, I mean, I go and I go to the gravity games at NBC and I won that. And it was like the host was Gabby Reese. And then we became really lifelong brother and sister. Like, I love her. And she's, you know, a longtime friend. It's a real cool friend.

And then her husband, Larry Hamilton, is a good friend of mine too now. And like, he'll give me advice about life and cool things. And like, he's a legend. I walked down the street with that guy and about him and stuff. He's like, he's like the biggest wave surfer and just the baddest dude. Yeah. So it's insane. Like the luck, that's lucky.

Like, she got that job and then I won and then we were friends. And then she interviewed me and we were friends and what the hell? Like, well, then you've also got luck on like a completely different area of your life where like, you talk about his head injury. Yeah, dude. Like that's another one. Like lucky to still be here. Like just that one alone.

And you're the luckiest person in the life. You were in a coma, right? Yeah, two weeks. And so when you're in that and then you come out like that, like, it's a different level of luck. I mean, I definitely hustled. Don't get it twisted. Like when you wake up and you instantly try to get out of bed and your body says, nope. Yeah, and I crashed on the floor and everybody's like freaking out.

And I'm like, dude, I am better. Don't worry about it. And I'm crashing. And I'm pissing in a hallway of a hospital because I thought it was the toilet. And like, it was weird, dude. It was like very long process. What do you remember from that crash? I just remember the day of completely knowing that I was going down.

I knew it. Like, I knew it for a fact. I was like, dude, I was so scared. And I knew it. I knew that, like, destiny was coming, dude. It was somebody was coming for me. And it's just intuition. Yeah, man.

And I knew I should not ride. No way. No way. and I did. But I've done that a few times in my life, like to where I was like, don't ride. And then I did it anyway.

And it was like, I slammed, but it wasn't too bad. Like, it was cool. And I remember, like, my first double flip I ever did on BMX,

and I was like riding around the front yard of Ruel Erickson back in the day, like in Henderson. And I was riding around the front yard of it, getting ready to drop into this big long downhill. he had to a massive kicker. And I was riding around and I was like, this might be the last time I can feel my feet.

Oh, well. And then I dropped in and peddled as hard as I could and sent it and just pulled the trigger and held on. Oh, man. I remember, like, thinking, like, wild stuff like that. Like, so stupid to just ignore it and go. You know what I mean? Like, it took a lot of stupidity involves,

but stupidity to, like, to, like, be like, man, you got to, I mean, if you're going to be dumb, you got to be tough. So on that day, you're hearing this voice in your head saying something's going to happen. And then what do you remember about the actual crash? Or do you remember anything? I don't. I just know that I took a half crank at the top because I was so amped and juiced. Like, this is Vegas.

It's probably my last contest. I told my mom was my last contest because I knew that it was going down. And I was like, this is, this is it for me. and and then I remember like pumping a little extra on the on the on the on the pump of the rolling and it doesn't take much like I had really really strong legs at the time so like when you pump at all it's you know you get some miles per hour on that and then I was overshooting by miles I was like oh my god so I'm I'm dead and then I messed messed up on this trick that like I would have done that trick naked in my backyard laughing in the moonlight if people would have been like i bet you a hundred bucks you can't do it i mean i'm like yeah i can and and that's how dialed in i was of that trick and and being comfortable with that in in in that situation and i already had one run successful um and i remember that i was playing like a g6 that song yeah um for the for the first run and then the second run

was Bliss and Esso, and they're my rap group from Australia, my favorite ones. And they were playing on the thing, and I just remember that, and that's it. And that amp me up, and I crashed. And it was a rap. And the next thing you remember is waking up at a hospital. Yeah. I just remember squeezing my girl's hand and not being able to wake up first. I remember that.

You remember that? Yeah. I was, like, we had this thing where you squeeze the hand three times, and it's, I love you, and then I love you too. So four times. So I remember squeezing her hand like, I love you. And then she would squeeze my hand before,

I love you too. And I woke up like from my friend, Tony, who I brought to New Zealand with me, he used to think that they were saying, Homey, and they were saying, how you go, mate?

Which, how you going, mate is how are you doing, mate? Yeah. And how you go, mate. And then there's like, like, like he was like, homay, hey, home. So all the whole time, because he's from, he's from Bulgaria. So he doesn't really understand, like, the slang that much.

And it was so funny. And we thought it was so great that we all just kept saying, hey, homay. And then he came into the hospital and was like, hey, Home, wake up. Hey, Home, wake up. And then everybody was like, oh, my God, he's waking up. And I woke up because of him. Wow. Like I heard him say that.

And I was like, man, I started laughing. Did it in your mind feel like two weeks? No. Did you feel like you went to sleep and woke up? Yeah. Like it was real close. I mean, it was like pretty quick. I was like, I remember like not waking up but like thinking, man, this is going to be expensive.

That's my first thing I thought about. I swear to God. I was like, and I had a 64 Lincoln Continental convertible at the time. And I was like, man, I wonder if that car will cover it. It's crazy. Federation present the U.S. Soccer Podcast. My name is David Goss, and I'm joined by my co-host, Megan Klinemberg. And now we're giving people an inside look at the World Cup.

Time's ticking. I think you can feel the intensity. All the guys are wanting to really stake their claim, and they want to be on that World Cup roster. There's no doubt about it. Hosting the World Cup on the home soil comes with its pressures, but we're just really excited just as the people are. The U.S. Soccer Podcast, presented by Henko.

Follow and listen on your favorite platform. Do you think with all this talk about luck that it's possible to create your own luck? I don't think that you can create your own luck 100%. No. I think you definitely have to have help. And if you don't believe that you know that you deserve it or that you can do it that it's possible, then it's never going to happen regardless. So you really have to try. You know, you have to try. If you don't have any try, there's just no way it's going to happen.

Luck is never going to just find you. Yeah. But at the same time, you can't be so, I don't know, like hockey or think that there's no such thing as, you know, you just being in the right place, the right time, or the stars aligned and you got lucky and we're born in Las Vegas on that night. You know what I mean? Like, it's honestly, like, you can't say that you're not lucky. I mean, first of all, the countries that have been to, and I see firsthand, and I live with

these people and I love them, I'm like, dude, that is awesome that you do in this, you know, this well being born in this situation, and you're still persevering and still making it happen and you still have a smile on your face 24-7. You know, that's what it's all about. Yeah. It's a belief in yourself, too. It's a belief in yourself that it's going to work. For sure.

I mean, you have to believe in yourself. But even if you believe in yourself to the maximum, but you don't put any work in, it's just not going to happen. Yeah. Like you said, try. Yeah, dude. You have to have some try hard. What do you think makes a great challenge competitor?

I mean, I think if you're well-rounded, that's probably key. but you have to definitely have athletics and agility. I think agility-driven dudes are better than just big buff meatheads. They look great on TV. Yeah, they do, definitely. And they look awesome in person too. You're like, dude, these guys are ripped. But if you don't have agility, there's a lot of things that are just going to be,

you're going to get smoked. I mean, look at the goat. Johnny Bananas is like seven championships. and the dude is the most agility-driven dude who knows puzzles and things like that. He doesn't know what language they speak in Australia, but he's funny. No, but he's really cool and he's funny, but I think CT is right there to be the goat as well. I think, and seen as CT beat the crap out of Johnny Bananas in an elimination, I would be real keen to see those two dudes go at it again.

It would be fun to see a season with those guys on it. I think you could argue that nobody knows it better than you. So how would you do on the challenge? I think I would kill it. I would do really well until we got to the eating portion. What do you mean? The eating portion would just completely shag me. I'd be done.

I'd be like, nah, uncle. And I'd be like fessing, like just completely selling. out my partner and I can't do it. I mean, I would try, but I would just throw up and it would be instant and it would be disgusting and it would suck. So the eating portion, if we got to do a final challenge with no eating, then I would kill it because I can learn puzzles pretty good. And you're competitive by nature. I'm definitely competitive. Yeah. I'm definitely competitive. And I have a lot of, and I run 5K a day, so I'm fit. Every day. Yeah, every day. Oh, that's amazing. And sometimes in flip-flops and jeans.

Like I just run in whatever I'm wearing. So I ran today in these. These jeans, by the way, this is my seventh day wearing these jeans. So that's what I'm smelling. Yeah, these jeans are seven days old right now and I'm going 30. You're going to wash them on day 30? I'm not washing them, bro. They're going to throw them away.

What do you mean? I mean, they serve their purpose. I don't think you can wash 30. days out of that man it was this like a is this a challenge yeah yeah it's a challenge with my friend and he he uh he's a good dude and he's the one that i was up up in park city with and i wore these jeans there and they were on day three when i got there and i was like dude i'm just gonna ride these jeans the whole time and he was like yeah sweet dude i i only brought a backpack and i was there for three days and he was like we're going snowboarding i was like all right cool

i'm just wearing my jeans wore my jeans snowboarding jean yeah snowboarding these bad boys and he's boys and then I put snow pants over it, some rental snow pants over my jeans. And then I wore these and then I took the snow pants off and I was brand new. Here I was still wearing the jeans. And I was like, then we went to dinner and I was like same jeans. It was awesome. So if the 5Ks party or morning routine, what else is part of your morning routine? Um, sometimes I work out. My wife has a gym at our house and she has members and stuff at our gym and it's really cool. Yeah, it's a big gym. And so we have like a lot of members that come over and work out. So I'll work out with guys sometimes.

And so I love that. And then I also go to Starbucks every morning. What's your order at Starbucks? So in the wintertime, it is a venty latte with oat milk and sugar-free vanilla. And in the summertime, it is a venty coffee frappuccino with sugar-free vanilla and oat milk. Now, here's the thing, all right? Like, I have a reason for Starbucks. Okay.

Okay, so when I mentioned Dave Mirren, right? Well, Dave was a dear friend. I love the guy. And he came over to my house in September before he died. So when he came over, we took this rat rod truck over there to Starbucks, and it was my first time ever going to a Starbucks. I was 38. And I was like,

this is, I, why were you avoiding Starbucks? I never even liked coffee. I didn't care about it at all. I was just like, dude, I'm cool.

I don't like coffee. I've been to plenty of Starbucks. Yeah, I didn't even know. I mean, I didn't even know it was that vibe either. Like, it was so cool.

Oh yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah, it's fun. So, so then I met a bunch of old dudes that I hung out with there.

And like, I love old dudes. Like, because they're just cool and they have a lot of life experiences and stuff. And I love, I love to hear the stories. And, uh, but me and Dave Mira sat at a table at my Starbucks for four hours.

And it was like, dude, we've been here for four hours. He was like, yeah, dude, that's how it does it. And it traps you in here. It's just fun.

I was like, holy shit, that's crazy. And so we, we did that. And I remember it like it was yesterday. And then he was like, man,

we really did it, didn't we, man? Like, we were talking about BMX and stuff. And I was like, yeah, that was cool, man. And then, but I think it was just like his goodbye tour. You know what I mean? To all of us. And then, and then he committed suicide in February, February 4th, actually. And I, I just remember thinking to myself, like, dude, I'm going to Starbucks when I get home.

Because I was away when he did. And then I went to Starbucks. And I just got a good feeling from it. I was like, man, that was a cool. feeling. Yeah. Like I'm visiting my friend. You know what I mean?

Kind of a thing. Like to where it was like, it reminds me of Dave Mirah every time I go to Starbucks. So no matter what country I'm in, if they have it, I go there no matter what. And then if they don't have it, then I patron whatever the local coffee shop is. And I still go to the local coffee shops here in Vegas called Grouchy Johns. I go there all the time with my friend Parker. So that's why it's part of your morning or scene. That's why it's part of my room.

Yeah. So it's kind of, it's a little deep. deeper than just like Starbucks, you know what I mean? But, but nobody really knows that. But it's like, oh, he just goes to Starbucks or whatever, you know, no, dude. Like, it's, it's just because it's just like my little homage to my friend Dave. I love that. What's the number one question that challenge fans will stop you on the street and ask you all the time?

Can I be on the show? And your answer is? No. No. I just say, put your application in and do your thing. I'm not part of casting. Just so you know, so the DMs, please, just don't give me any more DMs. I get probably like 30 a week or 40 a week.

Of people. DEMs. Asking you, can I be on the show? Yeah, at least, maybe 50. It's crazy. And I'm like, I try to reply to some of them. But now I'm just like, dude, it's just too many. Like, I'm like, I can't.

I don't have anything to do with the casting. They have geniuses for that. Of course. That is not me. So that's way above my pay grade. You're a genius in other things. I mean, I can play piano and guitar. Which is unbelievable.

I like music. So it's like, it's cool. But that's it. Yeah, your foray into music's been really impressive. Thanks, man. Thank you. I really love it. I just, I love doing it.

And it's like, it's the first time I ever did an open mic, for instance. It was three years ago now. I've been doing open mics with a guitar. that I knew how to play six weeks on the guitar. Like, I was terrible. You knew GC and D. Yeah, dude, and I was bad at it. Like, I wouldn't even, you know, there's still, like,

my fingers weren't strong enough to hold it down. There's still a lot of buzz. It was brutal. Yeah. But I still sent it because it made me so nervous. Like, I was so scared that I just went up there and did it. And I went with a bunch of buddies and stuff, and they did it too, and they were scared to death.

too so we were all together yeah so this is the energy you thrive on yeah dude like like like i love the the being scared but without being hurt you know like i love that you're like dude you got to like you really have to do this in front of all these people and like there's probably like a table full of people that you don't know and then another table full people you do and you're like dude you might look stupid but you don't want to look stupid in front of the people you don't know so so just get it right you know what i mean and then do it do as best you can and like really give it give it a go like and so i just did and and it worked out and i made it happen but i was like oh man it was so scary the first go but the idea of just send it like i love that that yeah also the title of your

book yeah that is that could be that that actually we're talking about that one because i actually painted that on the roll-in of uh the gravity games the year i won send it yeah just send it no send it Yeah. Yeah. So, and I did send it and I won. That was a good one. Dude, thank you so much for coming by.

No, man. I appreciate it, brother. The story of your life is unbelievable. It really is. And it's the idea of, this idea of send it is amazing. Because it can be applied to literally anything in life.

Anything in life. From this podcast to going to open mics to doing stand-up comedy, like doing anything that you want to do. Like, just start. Just send it. Yeah. Just go and do it. Like, do whatever you have to do. You want to make a rap album, go and do it. You want to make a music album, go do it. Like, you know, if you have any aspirations of helping people blow up, do it. That's what I'm doing right now. My friend Michael Richter that I was telling you about, he is the most talented individual I've ever seen on a guitar and mic and, like, open mics. He'll go and win any open mic I've ever taken him to. Wow. So where can people look him up? Um, he's gonna be on Spotify, iTunes, all that stuff.

But for now, like, Instagram. Michael Richter, yeah, you just look on my Instagram and you'll see him. And you know what I mean? You'll see him and you can follow him out of, out of there. That'd be sick. But he's, he's gonna blow up. And he lives here? Yep, he's from Vegas.

So we have the killers, imagine dragons. And now he's Michael Richter. He's going to have to move off to Nashville, I guess. Uh, maybe, maybe. It's where everyone gets discovered. You just never know. I mean, he's getting discovered here. Because Vegas is different now.

It's a totally different. It's a totally different. different town. Like we, it was 200,000 when I was growing up. What is it now? Two point seven million. Like, it's different deal, dude. Yeah. It's awesome. I didn't realize it was that. I love having all these people. Like, when the traffic is going through the roof and I'm dead stopped on the I-15, I'm like, welcome. Everybody, welcome. And my friends are all like, are you crazy? What's wrong with you, dude? And I'm like, welcome everybody. Welcome. I roll down the windows. I'm like, hello. Good afternoon. How you do it? Come on. Welcome. Yeah, man. I love it.

I end every podcast with the same question, and it seems like it's right up your alley. What are three things in your life that you're most grateful for right now? Well, my beautiful wife, I'm really grateful for her. Roxanne's been there through thick and thin. She's incredible, and I love her. So I'm very grateful for her. I'm very grateful for my daughter as well. Like I met her through my wife when she was five. And so now she's 23 and she's an awesome individual.

So I'm very grateful for her too. But those two are together. And then if you want to, we can throw the dog in there too because I'm very so family. Grateful for the, yeah, let's just call it family. And I'm also grateful for the amount of free time that I have. Because I think that being free, having free time is being rich. It doesn't have anything to do with money.

No matter what you do in life, if you have free time, you are as rich as the richest person in the world if they don't have any free time. Like, you're richer than them, in fact. It's free time is everything to me. Like for me to be able to go to Starbucks every day, if I want to for four hours, it means something to me. Like, I don't want to have to be anywhere or to have to do something. It has to be up to me and to do, you know, whatever. Well, I mean, I think the caveat to that is you work your ass off for 10 weeks to earn, you know, a good amount of money. Yeah.

So that you can have the other 42 weeks. Yeah, that as well. But it's also because I never worried about money. Still don't. I worried about free time 100%. That's how I became a good bike rider. Like, so if I didn't worry about the free time, then I would never have been able to ride BMX as much as I did.

Yeah. And everything revolved around that bike and having free time to go ride the bike. Sure. So, and then, and make music. Like, I played the drums back then. So I always wanted to play drums. I always played drums. So I just, and that gave me rhythm.

So then all of a sudden now the rhythm found me in my next life, which is now doing music and having fun on open mics and playing guitar and doing whatever, you know, piano and whatever. So, and I'm very- Family free time. Free time. And I'm very grateful for the music as well. Like, I think the music is, is, it saved me, man, because when you, it's an interesting

life. When you turn, like, 35 to 40 and your ex-pro athlete, but you know that you can't do it anymore like them, like the true competitors of today. Yeah. There's just no way. I couldn't hold those guys, vans, shoes up on the deck and be like, here you go, sir. Like, there's no way that those dudes, those dudes are so dialed and so good. And they've put so much time in that, that, like, it's impossible for a guy, my age, my level, my thing, you know, my bike riding whatever skills to be able to compete with those dudes.

It would be impossible. So I'm very thankful for the time that I had on it. Yeah. But it's that identity shift in your life. Yeah, man. So I'm very thankful. So when you're a pro athlete coming down from. that ride that was just so high. It was so awesome that you have to find a new passion. And if you

don't have it, it's a dangerous place. And I'm so thankful that I found it in music and being able to do music and just have fun. And like, I don't want a record deal. I don't want play on a radio. I don't want, I don't care about any of that at all. I just want to get better for myself and my friends. Yeah. I love it. I've loved it. I've loved this. So thank you so much for coming by. You got it, man. Thank you, Chris. I appreciate it, brother. Appreciate you. All right, man. Okay, there we go.

Big thank you to T.J. Lavin for joining us in the studio. Thanks to you, as always, for joining us in the studio, this time in Las Vegas. I know there's a lot of podcasts out there, and I appreciate you spending some time with us today on Insight. You know, that makes me feel like the luckiest guy in the world. You can connect with T.J. on social media. He's at T.J. Lavin. You can find me if you're looking for me. At Chris Van V-Vleet, V-L-I-E-T. And we'll leave you with this quote from Zig Ziglar, who says, some people often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing. That's why we recommend it daily.

The motivation and the bathing. There you go. Be great. Be grateful. We will see you on the next one for some more insight. Jim Rome takes on sports. Why? Because I have a job to do. With rapid fire takes. So I don't want to hear from you lava pigs on this notion today. No idea what you're talking about. You're complaining more than you like to breathe air.

It's like you get up in the morning only to complain and cry and moan on social media about things that you don't even understand. He's the spitfire of sports smack. Take advantage of it. Get up in here. The Jim Rome Show podcast. What's your beef? Follow and listen on your favorite platform. You've been warned.