I am so happy to finally launch this award!
It's been an idea of mine for years now and the biggest problem I've come up against is that we have too many candidates each year that I would get stuck in indecision and not award anyone. Plus, the actual award took a bit longer to create than I had hoped.
What is the Outlaw of the Year?
This award will go to the Outlaw that exhibits exceptional character at all times, follows The Outlaw Way, and inspires others to be Higher Level Humans.
I've created the tough Physical, Mental, and Existential standards on this team for your benefit. They are not easy, there is no 'grade', and you won't get a diploma saying you completed something. You may not even get any recognition from anyone other than me or your coach. And no one is nagging you to complete any of these team standards or holding your hand as you struggle through them.
We are here to support you and guide you, but just like a downhill race, it's ultimately up to you to do the work and get from the top to the bottom as best you can, on your own, with just your preparation and willpower.
Working on the Team Pillars will not guarantee you a Factory Team spot, or regular podiums at races. But I can guarantee that if you work on them diligently and consistently, you will be a far far stronger, confident, happy, and tenacious human that gets shit done without complaint. You'll build empathy towards others because you've gone through some struggles yourself and you know what it's like to push through some real and imaginary boundaries. You'll have made some sacrifices that seemed HUGE at the time, but looking back, are quite minuscule in comparison to the gains you got from choosing to pursue these and other challenges.
So, the Outlaw of the Year is one who sets high-hard goals for themselves and constantly works towards them by utilizing the tools and resources and people around them to get there, and then once there, they set new goals.
The Outlaw of the Year is one who not only follows wise advice, but also problem solves their own unique obstacles and challenges and figures out a way to use those obstacles to be a stronger, more capable human and athlete. Need money to ride bikes? Get a job or start a business. School schedule is too much to do all of this? Find alternative education that fits your schedule and actually do it. Can't get to all the places you need to be? Ask around for carpools or ask coach for alternative solutions.
The Outlaw of the Year is not one to say, "Oh well, I guess I can't do it because of..."
This is a high standard. It's hard. And sometimes it will seem like a solitary path, especially for teenagers. Kids like this are rare, and it will seem like you're walking alone sometimes on this path. That's why we are called a Tribe, to bring you all together.
I believe to the core of my being that everyone is capable of living up to these standards. You may never accomplish ALL of them, but working on them one at a time and building sustainable habits is the end goal. If you end your Outlaw career with even just 1 new lifelong habit, then that's a win. It's the pursuit of challenge that matters. Seek out discomfort, otherwise the only thing that will grow will be your list of excuses.
So who's the 2025 Outlaw of the Year?
Gage Herbert
Congratulations Gage for being the inaugural winner of this prestigious award!
I have to mention the strong runner up in Ryker Kearl, who is equally deserving of recognition for his hard work and dedication to everything he does.
Gage has always been a hard worker. But he really turned it on after he made the commitment to be better at his sport than he thought he could. It happened after Fernie, BC racing the Canadian National Champs in 2023. Gage and I were talking about his goals and he came to the conclusion that maybe racing wasn't for him in the long run. Maybe a career in the industry or starting a business was more his pathway.
Apparently, he didn't like that idea too much and doubled down on his commitment to his sport. He did the workouts, got multiple jobs to buy a sick truck before he was 16, put in miles and miles and miles on the bike, did solo training sessions, reached out to coaches for private sessions, and made strong communication efforts to check in with me and see where he was at and what he could be doing more or better. Through all of that, his confidence has sky rocketed and he is a strong leader and mentor on the team, always looking out for his younger teammates and helping them become better riders and humans. Gage is the first to help coaches with whatever they needs, and the last to leave making sure the job is done. Gage took care of his equipment and learned how to work on his bike and make sure it was always working in tip top shape.
It's been so inspiring to see athletes like Gage and Ryker take to these challenges and appreciate the opportunity they have to work on themselves and their craft. These skills and habits and lessons will stick with them forever and they'll be successful in whatever they do!
Congrats Gage! Thanks for being the Outlaw of the Year!
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