I mean, think about it... what does it say about us as a society that we're always drawn to these action sports athletes? Like, Ryan's got some sick skills on the snowboard, but is that really all he's about? Is his story just an example of how hard work and dedication can pay off, or is there something more going on beneath the surface? I mean, what drives someone to be so passionate about something they're good at? Is it the thrill of competition, or is it something deeper? And what does that say about us as a culture... do we value individualism over connection, or are we just looking for our next adrenaline fix?
And have you ever noticed how often these athletes are portrayed in the media? Like, they're always the hero, the underdog who overcomes all odds to achieve greatness. But what about the people who don't make it? What about Mike and Jodi, Ryan's siblings... do we hear their stories too? Or are they just background noise, invisible to our gaze?