Originally from Montreal, Jeffrey Whaley is a BMX Freestyle athlete and a proud ambassador at the Bromont National Cycling Center (CNCB). When you meet him, it's impossible not to feel the raw energy that drives him. As Canada's first Olympian in BMX Freestyle, Jeffrey candidly shares the realities of this spectacular sport, the passion, the perseverance, but also the physical and mental falls that forge the greatest athletes. Between sessions at the park and his involvement with the CNCB, he looks back on his journey, his learnings, and offers some advice to those who also dream of making a living from BMX.

How did you get hooked on biking?

I started BMX riding in a fairly innocuous way. I had always played sports when I was younger, specifically skateboarding. When I was 15, all my friends bought BMX bikes, and I was the only one left with a skateboard. I borrowed their bikes to try them out, and that's how I got into it. I saved up the money I got for my 15th birthday and, with the money I earned from my job at the time, I bought myself a BMX bike too.

What do you find unique about CNCB?

I come from an action sport where I'm used to hanging out with skaters, rollerbladers, scooter riders, etc., so not many cyclists. It's cool to be able to come here and see lots of people who are passionate about cycling. Lots of people come to watch us ride. I go to watch others ride too, whether it's on the track, in BMX races, or on mountain bikes. It's cool to have a hub that brings together everyone who loves cycling.

What is your favorite moment during a competition?

After qualifying! It's a really stressful moment because that's when you find out whether you've qualified or not. There are always two lines [of qualifiers], and both lines count, so there's no room for error. It's disappointing to travel halfway around the world and not qualify because of a minor mistake. It's often a relief to finish qualifying. It's my favorite moment, because after that, you can really have fun and give it your all.

Do you have a funny story about something that happened to you in your sport?

I have lots of anecdotes. The one that comes to mind happened during a competition, just before the Paris Games. During the warm-up before the qualifiers, on my second run, I had a big collision with Argentina's Jose Torres. The wheel on my bike broke, so I had to repair it during the warm-up period. By the time I got back, it was already time for the competition and I was second to go. So I didn't get any warm-up before the Games, which was pretty stressful. As anecdotes go, that one is hard to beat.

What mistake taught you the most in your career?

I've made a lot of mistakes in my career. I think you learn a lot from your mistakes, but they're also part of the athlete you become. The mistake I often make, and try not to repeat, is coming back too soon after injuries. Often, you feel like you're missing out on a lot when you get injured. It seems like the end of the world, but sometimes it makes things worse [to come back too soon]. Two years ago, I injured my shoulder, went back [riding] a little too soon, and injured myself again. I had to miss a World Cup, and because I missed that World Cup, I almost missed the World Championships, which qualified me for the Olympics.

You talk about your injuries, the most publicized of which was the tear in your bicep just before the Olympics. Can you explain how you got through that challenge?

I tore my rotator cuff and biceps labrum. It was extremely difficult because I had surgery six weeks before the Olympics. Usually, rehabilitation takes six months, but I had to condense it into four weeks. It was extremely difficult, especially mentally, and the team of physical therapists [at Next Gen in Montreal] I work with saved my life. [...] I did everything I could; physio seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Honestly, I can't really explain how I got through it. I think it was really my desire to compete in the Games that motivated me.

What is your little ritual before a big competition or training session?

My daily ritual before training is definitely to warm up. When I know I have a big competition coming up, something important, I often put on my headphones and get into my zone. I put on music that motivates me, that makes me feel good, to de-stress and get me back in the zone. I always do my elastic band and stretching warm-ups before riding, and putting on music is what helps me calm down and refocus.

What's your favorite song to listen to before a workout?

The music I listen to a lot before driving is really rap, more specifically Drake. Drake plays a lot in my ears. It's often music that motivates me.

What is your favorite snack before or after a competition?

My pre- or post-ride snack, if I can add maple syrup, I usually like it quite a bit. At the World Championships, I tried a new maple syrup gel, and I think that one is definitely going to be my new go-to.

What do you see as your role as an ambassador at the CNCB?

It's to showcase the center's wide range of sports facilities. Whether it's BMX Freestyle or Race, outdoor dirt jumps, or the indoor track, it's a truly unique center in Quebec and even in North America. I think promoting it is really my role as an ambassador, and if I can motivate a few people to take up cycling at the same time, I'll be happy.

Have you tried the center's facilities?

I've tried almost everything, I just have the track left. I have to do the training. They won't let me take my BMX onto the track, so I haven't been able to try it, but the track is my next challenge.

What is your message to those who are hesitant to try a discipline?

Why not? You never know where it might lead you. Maybe it's not necessarily about competing or reaching a competitive level, but simply about meeting a new community and people who will become important in your life. Maybe it will even become a new passion that will lead to unforgettable experiences. For me, BMX is a bit trivial; I never thought I'd do it. I loved skateboarding so much when I was young, and I just fell into it by chance, and it led me to experiences that I will carry with me throughout my life.

Where do you see yourself in five years in terms of cycling?

In five years, I see myself still riding, that's for sure. BMX is my passion, that won't change. It's been part of my life for so long, and I hope I'll still be able to ride in five years. That's my goal. But I also want to try to help young people and build a community here in Quebec with the center, especially since we have a great BMX Freestyle track here.

What's your favorite trick?

One of my signature tricks is a Double Whip Flip, which is a backflip with two full rotations of the bike frame. It's pretty much my go-to big trick that I'll do in qualifying. Otherwise, I really like the 720, which is a double rotation. Otherwise, if I try to keep it more classic, a No-Foot-Can, which is a more basic trick where I throw my feet to the side. It's more of an aesthetic trick.

What do you like most about making a living from your sport?

The freedom that all of this brings. I am lucky to be able to ride BMX and get up every day, even if it's not always easy. As an athlete, there are obstacles and challenges to overcome quite often. I think the freedom to ride my bike and train every day is the best thing I could have hoped for. Of course, traveling all over the world because of my little BMX bike is really cool.

Would you like to tell me more about BMX Spectacle?

BMX Spectacle is my BMX show company in Quebec with my teammates Kevin Fabregue and Maxime Chalifour, who are two other Quebec athletes on the World Cup circuit. It's a company that travels to lots of events here in Quebec. Whether it's schools, festivals, or halftime at Montreal Alouettes games, we bring portable ramps and do demonstrations to promote our lives as BMX freestyle athletes.

Where is your favorite place in the world to ride BMX?

My favorite place in the whole world, just because I'm not a fan of snow, is a place in Costa Rica, in San Jose, Jacó to be precise. There's a new training center, Bac Park 10cio, that a friend of mine, Kenneth Tencio, built. It's a huge BMX Freestyle center, and what's more, the beach is just a five-minute walk away.

What would you like to say to a young person who aspires to follow in your footsteps?

Whether it's BMX or any other sport, do it because you love it. The life of an athlete looks great on social media, but it comes with many challenges. If you don't love it, it's going to be extremely difficult. Do it out of passion. If you really love it, you'll be able to overcome any challenge.

Jeffrey Whaley doesn't just ride for medals. He rides for fun, for progress, and to inspire the next generation to believe in their own lines, whether they're drawn on concrete or in life. His commitment to the CNCB is proof of this: sharing, passing on knowledge, and building around a sport that is still young but bursting with potential.

To watch the video interview, visit our social media pages!