keep pushing - my bmx diary

we all struggle from time to time and its ok. right now, I've found myself struggling. what started as just a lack of motivation turned into being sick for a month and settling into complacency. its hard to dig your way out when youre in this situation, but this video is a step forward to being accountable and a reminder to enjoy the process.
so lets take this next step and keep the good time rolling! see you at the track!

[@Mikesonbikes]

I cried ugly tears at this man. It's a relief to see and hear someone in the bike world being this honest about racing, life and riding. Thank you for setting this example for the upcoming kids, and us old dawgs still learning new tricks. So heartfelt and genuine. You won't find THAT elsewhere in BMXtube.

[@benjamminworkman]

Love this message, because it is so relatable to many. In a few years, no one will likely be able to recall who won what title in any given year. But you best believe just about everyone will be able to tell you exactly how someone made them feel, and that's what they carry with them. People don't love you and respect you because you are (insert championship title here). They love you because you're a genuine, fun, approachable Pro that takes the time to talk with people and make them feel seen. Bmx is supposed to be fun because at the core of it, like you said, we all just love riding our bikes. You work hardest on keeping it fun, and the results are likely to follow. We love all that ya bring to the track, KJ!

[@AWD_DSM_FTW]

I gotta say, it’s wild seeing how far you’ve come. I don’t know how many times we’ve shared a gate when we were young, but it was many 😂 I just returned to BMX at 32 years old, and it’s definitely disheartening after all these years. But I know I can be better, and I know it all starts with doing something we love. Just like I wish I’d never stopped 17 years ago, we just have to keep pushing for the love of it all.

[@xbrianx1990]

That last line is the key. Its about enjoying the process. The end goal is not the important part, its maximizing the benefits of the process and the results will come. Finding out how it enjoy the process is the struggle I'm having. Thanks for posting this KJ.

[@camerondavis9703]

It’s Camshaft Hey Lil Brother you can’t not be motivated you and Barry are my Motivation! If I am 50 and still need to move to improve dig and understand the importance of being the example of what right looks like! Let’s go! Plus We just love to ride! 💯💯💯💯

[@kjromero8538]

Thank you!

[@bryanegan1151]

Jeez man, this hits me in all the feels. So much of what you said are so true. I’m a 48 y/o dude trying to balance all of this and I don’t have the answers either. I’m pushing forward and trying to find the fun again. I’ve taken a step back to do that. I have so much respect for you for posting this. Thank you.

[@shanemeader3223]

KJ's tip #1. Its my only BMX inspirational quote, and it's on the back of my number plate. ❤ya bro

[@shaunchandler1]

Most relatable thing I've ever seen about BMX. Thanks for posting this KJ.

[@BackyardBMX73]

I'm enjoying every minute of BMX racing, since starting at age 47. For me, it's not wins or trophies. It's about getting to do what I've fallen in love with. Now at 50, I have no time to waste. I'm greatly enjoying the process and every moment on my bike. Every week, I look forward to Saturday, because that's the day I'm free. Just me and my BMX family, having a blast riding our bikes. Your fam at Lexington BMX is pulling for you, KJ! Whether you have a trophy or the title or not, you're still a champion to us!!!

[@kjromero8538]

So awesome! And thank you🙌🏽

[@emdub4130]

No one remembers who won a masters title, and that glory is so short lived. Kids remember dad being dad though. The time, cost and energy it takes to succeed in BMX comes at a price when you have a family and they are part of the sacrifice. I’ve been in your shoes multiple times and know you’ll be at peace walking away from it when that time comes

[@kjromero8538]

Thanks man! Definitely hard balancing everything

[@emdub4130]

@@kjromero8538 it is for sure. You’ll miss it for a few races but just like any tough break up, it gets easier over time. Congrats on a solid season and giving it your all with the time and resources you had 👊🏼

[@justsoyouknow241]

It’s hard to do man but remember we are behind you as you are inspiration for thousands of us riders. Thanks for putting it here with your own words. Keep digging, you’ll be No. 1. Let’s go!!!

[@kjromero8538]

Thank you!

[@zachhowarth1030]

Yes sir at 42 years old kids normal job it’s hard to have a balance ! I just try to enjoy being on my bike making mains and having fun. They can have nag 1 or in your case vet 1 ! Loved the video 🔥

[@douglasstone186]

You have the right mindset. Enjoy what you do and don’t make your existence centered around getting better everyday. Honestly, if you face reality, Vet Pros probably aren’t getting better everyday. While you may be able to improve from 1 day to the next, your abilities are diminishing over time. Find the moments that make you happy. Push yourself and your peers to be the best versions of themselves they can be today! That’s all you have.

[@travishough3797]

Awesome video KJ. Sure resonates with a lot of us older guys. Keep putting your family first, and everything else will be great. 🤙

[@SupercrossBMX.]

Love you Kj!! You are an inspiration for 1000's!!

[@bubbaauteri4875]

I can't say enough about what do for the sport of BMX racing. You work a full time job, your a husband, your a dad, and your a great racer. Every time i have seen you you alway make time to talk. I'm just a old guy that loves to ride. Don't get down on yourself because there is a lot of people that look up to you. Keep up the hard work you got this. Thanks for being a inspiration

[@kjromero8538]

I appreciate the kind words!

[@user-vi1dt6ko9z]

Wow KJ, one of the most profound real world messages that we all can relate to. On the bike off the bike, I fight motivation, failure, fear, consistency......as a racer, husband, father, employee. Life's often hard for everyone, keeping fighting my friend, we'll fight along with you.

[@kjromero8538]

Times get hard for sure! A forced break isn’t always a bad thing I guess

[@gsdgroup1428]

great video!!! love the transparency,..it lets us regular people know we're not alone!!

[@kjromero8538]

The struggle is real! Keep pushing 👊🏽

[@bryantsutton2915]

I'm too old to have heroes but you certainly have my respect.

[@Goodracing00]

Keep those priorities in line and enjoy every second.

[@roberthunter5119]

Out of all the fantastic videos I've watched of yours... this is my favorite. Good on ya, man.

[@kjromero8538]

Thank you!

[@_theRAD]

Thanks for this video. I hope it helps you, me, and probably 100's of others out here. Keep on keepin' on!

[@Tony_3xl]

Dude every single one of us goes through this.. specificaly with racing. Risk vs reward. Dad life takes over and other life goals creep in. Look at it this way, at least you can still ride and race, it may just not be at that top level anymore. Amateur racing or jumping on another bike or a completely different hobby or getting your kids into racing can be so fun. Or just bite the bullet and go all in. 🏆🏆🏆 It's up to you man, whatever makes YOU happy. ❤

[@timbernation5431]

Hey Man. I just wanted to say that I had a life changing event in June of 2018. My kidneys shut down. I didn't know where I was going. Racing and work just stopped. I didn't know what the next step brought me. I had to start dialysis right away. Physically I was struggling. Well I had to move back home to NJ. My body was a wreak and struggled with even walking to my car. I would go to my old home track and watch races. Well one fall day I was asked by one of my friends if I could announce. Well sure I can. I started announcing there in 1989. I started to get the itch again. I got back in the gym in May of 2019. Then South Park was coming up. I renewed my license. I too my dj and raced. But I had to go back to novice. I raced only Saturday. I made my main. Just barely. I had friends in the third turn. Every time ii came past the turn erupted. I was physically drained after every lap. I hit more races and went to the Grands. I scheduled all my treatments wherever I went. Now fast forward to may of 2022. I get a call from a local BMX dad. His cousin had a massive heart attack. Said they were getting ready to harvest organs. His family wanted me to have the first kidney if I was a match. Well 3 days later I was in surgery. It's been a success ever since. Got back on the bike 2 months later. It's been hard after surgery. My muscles too a beating. I came home 30 pounds heavier with all the fluid they gave me to get the kidney moving. I've been back in the gym 11 months now and I'm making improvements all the time. It was God who showed me where my place is in this life. I cry about it all the time. But the physical struggle is still real. Still trying to get myself back in the mains is tough. But I'm pushing forward. But my main focus is showing people you can do the things you love no matter the situation. So u keep going. We all love BMX.

[@kjromero8538]

Wow! What an Incredible story! Way to keep pushing despite the struggles. Thank you for sharing

[@timbernation5431]

@@kjromero8538 you're welcome. You do the same

[@AshleyT18]

I’m subscribing! My literal thoughts currently so clearly seeing this as the first video on my KZbin is a sign! 🙌🏼 You got this and you can motivate others along the way, that’s the real win! 💪🏼

[@kjromero8538]

Thank you!🙌🏽

[@tylergullickson8470]

This was awesome man , needed to hear this today. Thanks dude 🤙

[@kjromero8538]

Let’s keep pushing 🤘🏽

[@theshovel-repairman914]

I feel the same way being injured for the better part of 3 years, just when you think it's starting to come around , something else comes along. At 53 I'm having a new shoulder in 4 weeks. I also ask why bother. Then I remember, I bother because I love it. I got some rehab ahead but I'll be back at it. Someone once said " Ill do it till the wheels fall off". Mine are a little bent and wobbly, bearings don't roll as well as they once did. But still they go , so to will I.

[@kjromero8538]

Gotta do it while we can! I try to live by that. I always think about how I should be using my energy somewhere else but then I think about when I’m old and can’t ride anymore. Might as well do it while we can🤘🏽

[@Spark_MTB_BMX_Coaching]

Awesome video and message. It definitely resonated with me.

[@kjromero8538]

Thank you🙌🏽

[@oscarmc205]

Amazing video! Inspiring to all riders

[@Justin.Riddell]

3 minutes that’s perfect timing I’ll watch this while I sit in my ice bath.

[@kjromero8538]

Calling you for the title this year 👊🏽

[@Justin.Riddell]

Naw man. 3rd main of grands you and I tied in points winner takes it. Thats how I see it this year

[@EvansMTBSaga]

Nice edit man. I hope you find the answer.

[@TexasTimelapse]

You and Barry are the guys I look up to and I'm an old 52 year old 1980's racer. When I was a kid, it was always awesome to talk to the pros and it kept me going. You can't quit now. You've gotta put a whoopin on Barry first! 😁

[@kjromero8538]

Not going anywhere, just in a little rough spot mentally!

[@rugdoc2]

📌WOW! Well said, my SX brother! Saving this and sharing it.

[@AdamOravetz]

I would love to hang out with you some day. Being a dad is awesome. I love that I can do that, be a dad, and compete and hang out with my friends. You are such a nerd. I love it when you jump your bike on the last jump or just being goofy on your bike. Lofty goals often require sacrifices regardless if it’s professional, marriage, personal, parental, menial, or whatever.

[@agraanj]

Thank you for sharing this.

[@kjromero8538]

Thanks for watching!

[@SLAYJUCE]

I had the same feeling with motocross, won a couple races at the novice level lol head injuries and old injuries are stacking up BRRrRRrRRRAAAAAAAAAPP

[@lucasw_206]

stay active you are inspiration

[@alexandremariano2097]

I believe that, what God put as a gift in us is what we do, the difference to be the first of the world, the hero for your family or even to the the best for ourselves has to do with to have contentment. You inspyre a people that you even don't know, as me in Brazil, and maybe you don't realyze it. You are not only a bmx rider, you are KJ ROMERO. And God did only one. I pray to you and all your family, that you and all be under the desire of my God Jesus, and I am Sure by this that everything that we do to the glory of Jesus, We will find the true happyness..even when we ride only because we love it..God bkess you!!❤❤

[@kjromero8538]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@rodneyfountain4927]

Thanks for posting this mate. Honest, candid and brilliant. I'm a weekend warrior 50+ cat racer and at a much, much lower amateur level I felt this last year after winning all my mains. So, for this year, I'm racing a 40 year old Skyway with Tuff IIs. I came third in round one, wasn't stressed or nervous and am so excited for the next 'round. It was inspired by seeing Nic Long on that Torker 280. It's completely different for you as this is your livelihood and career, but taking away the pressure to win for a bit and having fun won't mean we love you less and you're Supercross to the core so they aren't letting you go. Do what you have to do mate...you are representing. Maybe hop on something from the Supercross museum...and keep those flats on!

[@kjromero8538]

That’s awesome! it’s definitely sneaks up on you. It’s a fine line that you have to be on and can grab you at any moment. I’ll dig out💪🏽

[@Wheelsondirt_426]

This video hits hard! Thank you for having the courage to put this out there.

[@TheBikeDAD712]

Dude I feel you 100% I had an upset in my semi at grands and missed my top 3 goal. But I could not relate to you any more.

[@kjromero8538]

It’s a hard hit for sure, especially when you come up short on a goal. Keep pushing 💪🏽

[@dr.dougmcguff282]

Amazingly open and heartfelt video. Burnout is complex and multi-factorial, but having watched some of your comment, I suspect overtraining may be a significant contributor. Your training looks like a AA who has nothing else to do, but you do all this on top of a physically demanding full time job along with family responsibilities. Overtraining is not an event, it is a process. As overtraining progresses, it ironically feels like the answer is to do more and try harder. If you were considering adjustments, I would suggest cutting all your training volume in half (after a 2 week layoff). Just some unsolicited advice from someone you don't know, but who finds your content inspirational.

[@kjromero8538]

I appreciate it! I definitely went all in last year. This year I’ve dialed it back a lot and just taking it as it comes🤘🏽 thanks for the advice!

[@jmead915racing7]

Needed to see a video like this thank you 💪💪

[@kjromero8538]

🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@tylerginter6235]

❤❤

[@TappaJ123]

Fun, is always the right answer. :) This is what we do for fun.

[@gustavo4355]

God bless

[@DeeganBrown]

🙌🏼

[@joshwhite3596]

❤

[@gustavo4355]

Rest for a month and make your blue print for the worlds. And look for Mike mentzer heavy duty training you will find answer for recovery and training Have fun

[@ThunderWarrior77]

lookin FAST!

[@kjromero8538]

Thank you!

[@gustavo4355]

Go for the worlds and do some nationals just enough to get ready for the worlds if you do to much you wont get peak condición for world title

[@darinpetty3741]

Keep keeping on.....

[@jeremiahlesleawilder5329]

This should be the only reason you race ever or do anything with a purpose in life is simply because u love it