Jagger Eaton made his Olympic debut in the course of the Tokyo Video games on a damaged ankle and took residence 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 most important takeaway that I took from Tokyo was that it was 10 instances gnarlier in my head than it was after I received there,” Eaton stated. “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 adjustments made in his vitamin, coaching, and life.
Jagger Eaton Isn’t Operating From Expectations
Strain and expectations are frequent in sports activities. Representing your nation and being a returning medalist solely heightens issues. Eaton is among the favorites to carry residence gold in each disciplines and he embraces the problem that gives.
“That is precisely the place I need it to be,” Eaton stated. “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 involved in skateboarding on this degree greater than something. The legitimacy that the Olympic Video games brings to skateboarding is in contrast to the rest.”
Happiness is a Alternative
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 turning into the youngest competitor ever on the time. By all the awards, medals, and recognition that got here from his skills on the board, Eaton realized that quite a lot 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 liked.
After Tokyo, he determined it was time to concentrate on 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, we now have such excessive expectations,” Eaton stated. “Even after studying all the books being utterly off social media, and eliminating the destructive habits, it’s nonetheless laborious for me to take care of my happiness with out a nice day of skating. The explanation why I dove into that was as a result of I observed that I simply I wanted to discover a purpose to be comfortable virtually with out something in any respect and I imagine I discovered that.”
Coaching Surroundings
As a result of his unconventional hours of coaching and competing in each avenue 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 throughout the state. Ideally, he would love to coach with the blokes who he competes in opposition to repeatedly.
Greatest A part of Coaching
There are an infinite 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 with the ability to function on the degree he’s now. There’s 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 energetic hamstrings
- Do that 5 instances a bit
Calf activation
- 10 calf raises with ft pointed ahead
- 10 calf raises with ft pointed inward
- 10 calf raises with ft 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. Plenty of water. A couple 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, hen, lettuce, corn, pink sauce, and cheese. A tortilla shell if further 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 take a look at 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 evening. Eaton additionally says self-discipline has additionally been essential as he doesn’t stray away from consuming as clear as he probably can.
Worst a part of coaching
“For me,” Eaton says, “understanding that the day is not going to be the identical if (coaching) doesn’t get completed.”
Restoration
Observe Jagger on Instagram @jaggereaton