INTERVIEW: Brandon Loupos talks BMX Riding after an injury, motivation, and what really matters after the Olympics
Brandon Loupos is one of the top Freestyle BMX riders coming out of Australia and is usually 1 of 3 standing on the podium at any given contest. Unfortunately during the UCI BMX world championships this year in France he tore his ACL which put him out for the BMX event in the Tokyo Olympics. Brandon is one of the most talented and without a doubt, one the hardest working athletes in the field so we wanted to ask him a few questions to help give the next generation some insight on what it takes to become one of the best! -DD
DD: What is your usual day-to-day routine with BMX and Fitness?
Brandon: Pretty full on - mainly a gym session and riding session everyday for 4 - 5 days a week. Sometimes the gym sessions would be after riding but mostly they were before! Gym sessions would be an hour or two then riding would be around 2- 4 hours so some days are exhausting but I love it.
DD: How many hours a day do you ride and do you have a set routine?
Brandon: When we rode the hotbox it would be 2 hours a day on average. Some days were longer depending on how I felt.
DD: Mentally, how do you overcome your fear to do tricks that scare you? Are there any tricks that you have dialed-in but still get you nervous every time you drop in?
Brandon: It’s easier said than done that’s for sure — it’s mainly belief and trusting yourself that you know exactly what you’re doing. As long as you believe you can do it - that’s the big thing.
DD: Injuries are unfortunately a part of the sport, and you just recently tore your ACL during the Tokyo Olympics qualifiers. You’ve always been a positive person, how are you dealing with this setback and what would your advice be to others dealing with injuries at crucial times?
Brandon: I have good days and bad days. Some days I’m motivated and aim towards my comeback, and other days I want to quit and give up. But what I’ve learned is that feelings, thoughts and emotions are temporary and will pass... regardless if they’re good or bad ones. So I’m just trying to live life and find myself outside of BMX. I put my everything into going to the Olympics, and when it didn’t happen — being absolutely crushed and devastated is an understatement. So I’m just chilling now and enjoying my life with what I have... rather than look at what I don’t have or guessing “what if?”
DD: We could only imagine you are doing everything you can right now to get back on the bike, how are you attacking this?
Brandon: Yes, just mainly letting my ACL heal is a big one. It hurts some days more than others so I’m just trying not to push it and keep it moving with light walks and physio stuff. I’ll move onto more heavy impact stuff when I’m cleared to go ahead.
DD: When you get back on the bike, what are your plans? Olympics 2024?
Brandon: No plans or anything when I come back. I’ll just start riding, find my feet, feel good again then aim at whatever I want to do. If I want to do the Olympics in Paris I’ll try again... but we will see.
DD: What is something that you now know that you wish you understood back at the start of your riding career?
Brandon: That life isn’t all about BMX or the Olympics or winning, it’s always good to feel accomplished and happy about accomplishing a goal but when your identity is based all around that, it’s only going to get you hurt. Family, friends and unconditional love/support is more important than anything.
DD: Who is your biggest influence and why?
Brandon: Myself in 4 years. Because he will look back and be proud of where he came from.
DD: What were some of the things you did as an amateur that you think help pushed you over the edge to become a professional athlete and what is your advice for any young rider that wants to be a professional athlete?
Brandon: It was mainly pure grit, determination and passion for the love of my sport. I always wanted to be a pro BMX rider just like Dave Mirra, Jamie Bestwick, Ryan Nyquist, Daniel Dhers, Etc. So to be one of them was something I’ve wanted for longer than what I can remember. Glad to have made it this far.
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