Travis Pastrana

Who do you know that has 9 gold medals in the X-Games, 21 surgeries, and was a world champion at the age of 14? Travis Pastrana is a nine-time winning gold medalist in the X-games and is a hero for the extreme sports world. Travis was born October 8^th, 1983 at 12:20pm in Annapolis, Maryland to his parents Debby and Robert Pastrana. At a young age Travis became world champion freestyle motocross in 1998 and was and was the youngest rider ever to represent the US at the motocross des Nations in France. He deserves the nametag of a Hero because Travis has the ideal dedication for a real athlete and has open new possibilities to the world of motocross. And even with all these accomplishments and awards Travis is still a down to earth guy which is crazy because you don't even find that in most people.

Travis Pastrana has become a well recognized extreme sports athlete and has achieved greatly since he started at a young age. Travis had stardom in his blood when he learned how to ride motor bike at 4 years old and he inspired to greatness. "At the young age of 14 Travis Pastrana became the world champion of freestyle motocross and has had a big impact on the sport ever since."( Biography of X). Not many 14 year olds are out there becoming world champs and Travis could be considered the godfather of motocross. He has left his mark and proved himself that will be a great athlete. He has left his mark and proved himself that will be a great athlete. "At the 2000 Summer X Games, Travis Pastrana won his first X Games gold medal when Travis finished first in Freestyle Moto X. Since then, he has won several other gold medals at the X Games in various I love events."( Travis Pastrana." Nitro). Just two little tips of the mountain of accomplishments he has made and this would not be the only time he has won gold medals. Travis has made a name for himself at the X games many times and is one of motocross favorites. Ever since Travis has won the motocross champion he has left his mark on the extreme sports realm.

Travis Pastrana performing a double backflip (http://motorcyclesandmotorcycles.blogspot.com/2010/06/travis-pastrana-double-back-flip.html ())

Not only is Travis well known for his achievements but is known for setting records and breaking new ground in all the sports he does. Travis has proved gravity wrong and has done some of the most daring tricks in competitions that make him such a great guy. "In 2002, Travis Pastrana became the first rider to ever land a backflip in competition when he successfully did so at the Summer Gravity Games"("Travis Pastrana." Nitro). It's one thing to land a crazy trick but to add all the pressure of competition into it is a real athlete and a hero. Not only is the pressure immense but the consequences of yourself are scary too. You're physically, mentally, and socially putting yourself on the line and if you mess up it will cost you a whole lot. But not only has he broken records in competition but outside of it all he has done some insane stunts." Not only has he done sports but has done insane stunts like: big-air-back-flip on a tricycle, jumped out of a plane with no parachute, and backflipped into the Grand Canyon"(Travis Pastrana). Travis is no ordinary athlete more like a stunt man who seems like there is no fear running through him at all. You don't hear a lot of athletes or stunt devils doing anything equivalent to Travis or attempting to which makes him a hero. A person can be great at something, even two things, but Travis is great at multiple things and not only does them great but excels each time he does them.

(http://xo.typepad.com/blog/2007/10/skydiving-from-.html ())

Travis has done nothing more but be inspirational and has not let his stardom go to his head which is a very uncommon thing to happen. Even though Travis has done insane tricks and stunts he has sacrificed most of his body but that doesn't affect him much at all. "Travis has so much dedication to what he does that it seems nothing can stop him till he kills himself. He has had 21 surgeries, 60 broken bones, over 25 concussions and has survived from a dislocation of his spine."(Travis Pastrana). Have you ever woken up in the morning I feel crappy because of a little bruise you're your making a big deal out of? Imagine what this guy feels like. To have this kind of dedication or this mindset that you can knock me down but I'll get back up is hard to keep when you have this kind of intense injuries. And this is the kind of person that inspires people to not give up because of hard obstacles.  Travis Pastrana a great athlete who has won tons of records, awards, and done some great accomplishments you would think he is probably arrogant or full of himself but you would be absolutely wrong. "Pastana's charisma is as natural as his riding. Never one to posture, Number 199 lets the drama of his sport speak for itself; and he's known as one of the friendliest, most approachable athletes in the pro ranks."( Extreme Sports Legend).  For someone to have so much and be down to earth is truly an inspiration. Travis "let's his sport speak for itself" and isn't a trash talking kind of guy in a world of competition and who is better than who he is a real inspiration.  Travis Pastrana has gone through broken bones, surgeries, and a dislocated spine to end up where he is today. Creating new tricks, achieving greatly, and kept a level head he is a real hero.