Maya Gabeira
Few people, let alone women, do what the 25-year-old Brazilian does with regularity in the ocean. The five-time winner of the Billabong XXL Big Wave Award has been chasing and riding giants since she was an 18-year-old waitress newly arrived in Hawaii. Along the way, she’s encountered a few nasty spills and comments from the boys who rule big-wave surfing.
FAME
Only positive if one can do good with it. In sports, I guess it can be recognition, which is good. But never focus on fame. It should only be a consequence of your work, if you do work under the spotlight.
FEAR
I like to feel it. It’s challenging to control, but I believe it can empower people. Fear is part of life, and it’s what we do with it that is the most important.
GLORY
To me, glory can be the moment after riding a big and memorable wave. When I get safe to the channel and all emotions and adrenaline are running fresh, that is a moment of glory. It’s a pure and strong moment that can only be achieved through my own work and commitment.
2013
Looking forward to riding some bigger waves. Still dreaming about paddling Jaws on the right day and conditions.
Terry Richardson/Red Bulletin MagazineRobbie Maddison
We could talk about the stunts: Jumping up the Arc de Triomphe in Las Vegas on a bike -- and then back down. Hurling himself over the harbor in San Diego on New Year’s Eve. Flipping through the air with the greatest of ease at X Games. Or we could talk about the injuries: Several concussions, a busted hand, countless cracked ribs. Both metrics are a fair measure for the unequaled daredevil. And if all that wasn’t enough for him to hang a big ol’ badass diploma on his wall: He also did the motorcycle stunts in the recent James Bond movie, Skyfall.
FAME
To be recognized and respected; with this comes a unique opportunity, because through influencing and leading others you can make changes for the better.
FEAR
It’s in us all, but it’s something that can be worked on and overcome.
GLORY
It’s recognition and celebration of a great achievement.
2013
I want to bring a new vision and format to FMX. I also want to further develop an invention I have been working on and continue to change the game in the motorcycle world.
Terry Richardson/Red Bulletin MagazineBryce Menzies
The cliché, of course, is that boys love playing in the dirt. But not many 25-year-olds can make a successful career out of it. Take a big ol’ truck and race it off the pavement, and Menzies is the guy you want behind the wheel to push the machine to its limits. The TORC champion in 2011 and 2012, he also finished first for two years running in the Baja 500’s grueling Trophy Truck category.
FAME
The privilege to have people know who you are and to be able to influence their lives.
FEAR
There is no room for fear in my life, because I have to stay on the edge to stay competitive.
GLORY
Hard work and perseverance on reaching your goals and making it to the top.
2013
I want to hold on to my short course No. 1 plate, win the Baja 1000, and also make a name for myself in Global Rallycross.
Terry Richardson/Red Bulletin MagazineLouie Vito
One of the most fit athletes in snowboarding, Vito has only improved his prowess on the halfpipe since the 2010 Olympics, when he finished off the podium. The Ohio native was halfpipe champ on the Dew Tour last year and is looking for more this year. He’d never shot with Richardson before, but “the whole thing was a lot more laid-back than I thought… He was gonna make anything you did look good.”
FAME
To be recognized for what you do, who you are, and how you carry yourself.
FEAR
An obstacle in the way of achieving a goal or objective. The bigger the fear, the better the feeling you get after you have overcome and achieved that goal.
GLORY
The feeling you get when all the hard work, dedication, sacrifices, ups and downs pay off.
2013
I want to win everything and anything I do. I have won Dew Tour before, but I want to win it again. I always wanted to win the U.S. X Games because I never have, and the U.S. Open because I never have. But I also want to win Euro X Games, even though I’ve won it before.
Terry Richardson/Red Bulletin MagazineAshley Fiolek
After first getting on a motorcycle when she could barely walk, the 22-year-old is now the four-time champ of the Women’s Motocross Association, as comfortable getting down and dirty on a bike as she is fending off throngs of boys with a politely-worded buzz-off text message. She was the first woman to be signed to the American Honda Racing team -- and doubtless the first motocrosser, male or female, to get a spread in Vogue. And not that it matters, really -- and Fiolek makes damn sure it doesn’t matter -- she’s been deaf since birth.
FAME
I’m not a big fan of that word because most of my friends are just my friends because of my “fame.”
FEAR
Fear is something that I like to challenge myself with every day. Fear is tough, but I always try to face it.
GLORY
Accomplishment.
2013
I want to win all rounds at the Global X Games.
Terry Richardson/Red Bulletin MagazineJulian Wilson
A pro since the age of 14, the Australian big-wave charger created the deliciously-named “sushi roll” (Google it), and took some time last year to take on a big wave at the treacherous Teahupo’o in Tahiti. So, talent, fame, and, of course, looks, with banshee-like screams greeting him at every stop on the ASP Tour.
FAME
I don’t feel like I’m “famous.” Sure, I get recognized at all types of different locations and sometimes very surprising locations, which is cool, but a little surprising as well. I’m not sure what happens or if there’s a time when someone stipulates you are actually famous, but I don’t think I’m there yet.
FEAR
I really like big waves! But in saying that, when the waves are enormous there is definitely fear inside of me, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I’m more afraid of things out of my control. I’m confident that if I’m in a situation where I can control the variables, then I will always be fine, but it’s those damn “uncontrollables” that scare me!
GLORY
I’m not chasing glory, but I am chasing success.
2013
I’ve had a good taste of success in 2012 and really want to carry that over to 2013.
Check out the January 2013 issue of Red Bulletin magazine (on newsstands December 11) for more articles. To read the magazine on your iPad, download the Red Bulletin iPad app.
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