Bryon's answers to my questions
When I decided to set up a site on Bryon, I contacted the USSA and Juliann Fritz gave me the chance to send some questions for Bryon to her (thank you again for that!).
Q: Most important question: How does your leg feel? How is the recovery going? Do you already know if you will be able to race next season?
A: At this point in my recovery it’s still hard to say if I will be able to compete next season. My goal is to be ready to race in January, which is what I have to believe in and strive for if I want it to happen! On the other end I have to be smart and be sure to let my body heal 100% so as not to jeopardize my future as a skier because I wanted to get back too early next season.
Q: Are there any news about your musical career?
A: On the musical front things are definitely progressing. I learned how to play the Dobro (which is a slide guitar that is played/placed on your lap) since I couldn’t play regular guitar with a broken left hand. After the injury I’ve had a lot of time to think about and play music so I’ve been doing a lot of writing and I’m putting some new ideas together. My goal is to do more recording this Summer while I still have time before skiing gets too hectic. Hopefully by Fall I will have a full CD so I guess that’s pretty exciting!
Q: What music are you into? Do you have a fave artist/song? What was the best concert you'v ever been to?
A: I like a variety of music from rock and roll to classical but I would say my favorite genre is anything done acoustically in a singer/songwriter format. Recently I’ve been listening to “Second Wave” such as Bloc Party, The Killers, and Stereophonics but I still like acoustic sets better. Some of my favorite musicians are Beck, Ryan Adams, Gordy Quist, Norah Jones, Kelly Joe Phelps, and Jet but if I had to pick a favorite I would choose Jack Johnson. The best concert I’ve ever been to was a small auditorium performance of Bireli Lagrene’s. It was amazing because I didn’t know what to expect and I left with a whole new appreciation for Lagrene and Gypsy music!
Q: You graduated from Dartmouth college last year, didn’t you? Do you have something like a career plan for your time after skiing? What was it that made you say, “Okay, skiing is what I want to earn my living with”?
A: I will “officially” be done with Dartmouth College in June, however I did walk at the graduation ceremony last year. I don’t remember ever saying skiing is how I’m going to earn my living, which is the reason why I chose to go to College while skiing. There are no guarantees in life, especially in sport, and even more so in skiing. As an American I don’t ski for the money because there really is no money in it for us unless you are Bode or Daron. I ski because I love the adrenaline rush, the competition, and traveling the world. If I get to a point where I start making a good living through skiing then it will be an added bonus, but not an expectation.
I have a lot of ideas on how I want to earn my living mainly involving a couple business plans that I have put together over the past few months.
Q: What trait do you admire most in people?
A: Recently I’ve admired honesty. It’s honesty that allows us to rely on and trust each other and if you can’t be honest with someone than you can’t be yourself.
Q: What is the best advice you've ever recieved?
A: “Bones heal, spirit recovers, trauma lessons, and what is left is who you are and who you have become.”
Q: It's a Saturday night and you're not skiing. What are you going to be doing?
A: As of now I’m most likely going to be at home resting my leg and playing guitar however I’ve been out on the town a couple nights to see some live music and enjoy a few beers.
Q: Do you have any goals in private life and your career?
A: Absolutely! I want to record a couple CD’s, write a book about life on the road and ski racing on the World Cup, own a house in Park City, and start my own business.
Q: What is your first on-snow memory?
A: That’s a tough one….? My dad put me on skis when I was 3 so I don’t really remember my first time on snow but I do remember skiing with him when I was probably 4 or 5. He would let me lead him down the hill and choose which run I wanted to take, which I always liked so I didn’t have to ski anything too hard.
Q: Which skier or former skier do you respect the most and why? Do you have any idols?
A: With my current situation I would have to say Herman Maier because of the similar trauma we’ve experienced to our legs. Although his injury was more serious than mine I am thoroughly impressed with his return to the World Cup and I hope to make the same recovery in due time. Almost losing your leg is a traumatic experience and can only be appreciated by those who have undergone such a challenge.