We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Andrew Crabtree a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Andrew, we are so deeply grateful to you for opening up about your journey with mental health in the hops that it can help someone who might be going through something similar. Can you talk to us about your mental health journey and how you overcame or persisted despite any issues? For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.
I believe my love for riding came from a way to be in the present moment and feel alive. I struggle with a condition called Depersonalization Derealization (DPDR). This condition is when there is a separation from the mind and body. Typically described as watching life unfold through a lense with little control. Now how does this relate to a kid and his dreams to ride bikes professionally? Well, as I fight this battle, I’ve found that riding has helped me combat and cope with this struggle. I’ve had this condition since mid 2021, it was not until 2 years later I finally was able to put a name to it. Unfortunately, there is little known about this condition and no treatments. During these years I have progressed drastically in my riding, with this past summer deciding to try and pursue it as a career. Being on the bike, I’m able to ground and connect my mind and body as one as riding requires to be precise with my movements requiring all cognitive attention. With DPDR, I can “turn off’ my brain, including the part of me that makes me scared which helps me to progress quickly. Having DPDR is not all good however, I struggle being in the moment and regularly feel like I miss out on important events, emotional connections, and learning is difficult. As I grow, I’m learning to use this to my advantage and combat the drawbacks. I hope one day to overcome this struggle even as it’s shaped me to be who I am today.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Hi! I’m Drew Crabtree. I’m an 18 year old up-and-coming mountain bike rider. I currently study mechanical engineering at The Ohio State University. I fell in love with bikes at Smugglers Notch VT all the way back in 2019. I have been riding bikes for over 6 years now. My disciplines of expertise are street trials and downhill mountain biking. I race downhill for tOSU and I have grown a successful Instagram account, @dctreemtb , around my trials riding. I focus on my riding progression as well as creating content for my sponsors.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Perseverance has to be the number one most important quality for my journey. When I’m out in the boiling sun or freezing winter snow trying to land a trick, mastering a skill or taking 80 attempts to land a single trick. I’d say being professional is also important to my journey. I have the pleasure of working with a bunch of really cool brands. People often ask how to get sponsors, and I always recommend being authentic and trying to be professional. Finally, being creative is important. I view my riding as an art and I’m the artist. I get inspired by others who might do something one way and I might get inspired to put that trick in and add my spin on it.
If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?
Being a full-time student in an extremely rigorous major and school and balancing my dream with riding professionally is and has been quite a challenging feat. I put my schooling first as it basically has a guaranteed win at the end. Riding professionally and living off of it is not guaranteed. Its been a struggle having to figure out on which I give my time to. It’s hard for me to give 50/50 or 60/40 to either as I want to do both but also this stunts the progression and grades of either option. Giving up school is something I’ve never considered. I’m very lucky to have this opportunity, however, I don’t want to give up on my dream of riding professionally. This decision will take time but I’m so thankful for these opportunities in front of me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dctreemtb/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DCtreeMTB
Image Credits
William Harper
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