Jagger Eaton made his Olympic debut through the Tokyo Video games on a damaged ankle and took house bronze, offering the U.S. with the first-ever Olympic skateboarding medal within the sport’s debut. Whereas not a lot time has handed, the 23-year-old Arizona native will enter the Paris Video games higher in each physique and thoughts.
“The largest takeaway that I took from Tokyo was that it was 10 instances gnarlier in my head than it was after I acquired there,” Eaton mentioned. “I actually overthought it. As a lot because it issues, it’s one other contest and it’s precisely the place each athlete who needs to be the best needs to be.”
After Tokyo, Eaton started devoting time to specializing in himself and rediscovering his general happiness away from his time on his board. He’s one of many favorites for gold in each the road and park occasions on the Paris Video games this summer season and also you don’t medal with out placing within the work. The five-time Video games medalist sat down with M&F to debate the modifications made in his vitamin, coaching, and life.
Jagger Eaton Isn’t Operating From Expectations
Strain and expectations are widespread in sports activities. Representing your nation and being a returning medalist solely heightens issues. Eaton is likely one of the favorites to deliver house gold in each disciplines and he embraces the problem that gives.
“That is precisely the place I would like it to be,” Eaton mentioned. “I’m ready to be in a scenario the place I’m checked out for expectations for our nation to get medals. I’m simply grateful that individuals are curious about skateboarding on this stage greater than something. The legitimacy that the Olympic Video games brings to skateboarding is not like anything.”
Happiness is a Selection
Eaton’s first time stepping on a skateboard was on the age of 4. On the age of 11, he competed within the 2012 X Video games changing into the youngest competitor ever on the time. By way of all the awards, medals, and recognition that got here from his skills on the board, Eaton realized that plenty of his general happiness was depending on how he carried out in coaching and competitors. Not performing as much as his requirements might result in how he handled these he beloved.
After Tokyo, he determined it was time to give attention to his general happiness. He started diving into Ram Dass’ books, The Energy of Now and actually started to study to determine and higher worth all he needed to be comfortable about.
“I feel as athletes, now we have such excessive expectations,” Eaton mentioned. “Even after studying all the books being utterly off social media, and eliminating the adverse habits, it’s nonetheless arduous for me to keep up my happiness with no nice day of skating. The rationale why I dove into that was as a result of I observed that I simply I wanted to discover a motive to be comfortable virtually with out something in any respect and I consider I discovered that.”
Coaching Surroundings
Resulting from his unconventional hours of coaching and competing in each road and park disciplines, Eaton trains largely with simply his coach, Shawn Nicholson. One of many causes Eaton moved to California was due to the competitors and expertise inside the state. Ideally, he would love to coach with the blokes who he competes in opposition to frequently.
Finest A part of Coaching
There are an countless quantity of hours of coaching for months that go right into a 45-second run. Eaton at all times knew he was good however by no means envisioned himself having the ability to function on the stage he’s now. There may be an obsession inside him to push his boundaries and his favourite a part of coaching is peeling again the layers to uncover new ranges of greatness.
Jagger Eaton Skatepark Soundtracks
Destroy Lonely and something new that will get you hyped.
On the Skatepark: Slayer, Suicidal Tendencies and Metallica.
Jagger Eaton Skateboard Warmup
Hamstring activation heat up
- Sitting down flex and level your toes whereas bending over to lively hamstrings
- Do that 5 instances a chunk
Calf activation
- 10 calf raises with toes pointed ahead
- 10 calf raises with toes pointed inward
- 10 calf raises with toes pointed outward
Stability work
- stand on one leg with different knee up
- Shut one eye for 15 seconds then
alternate
- Then do each eyes for 15 seconds
- Do 3 rounds every leg of this
Day of Consuming
- Breakfast: Three eggs, beans, leafy greens. A lot of water. A number of pancakes if the coaching schedule is heavy that day.
- Pink Bull: half-hour earlier than first session
- Lunch earlier than second session: Chipotle Bowl: white rice, black beans, rooster, lettuce, corn, purple sauce, and cheese. A tortilla shell if additional carbs are wanted
- Dinner: Steak, rice, mashed potatoes and water
- Dessert: Blueberry Muffins
Getting Down To the Finer Particulars
The most effective issues Eaton did for his well being was take a gene check to see what he was poor in and including dietary supplements for these areas. The distinction in how he feels now in comparison with when he was 19 is day and night time. Eaton additionally says self-discipline has additionally been essential as he doesn’t stray away from consuming as clear as he presumably can.
Worst a part of coaching
“For me,” Eaton says, “figuring out that the day won’t be the identical if (coaching) doesn’t get achieved.”
Restoration
Comply with Jagger on Instagram @jaggereaton
