China FMX: Hidden Talent Brayden Davies

Following on from our recent article ‘The Other Side of FMX’, this second instalment of China FMX introduces you to the story of West Australian athlete, Brayden ‘Muggins’ Davies.

Hidden from the east coast FMX scene, West Australian athlete, Brayden ‘Muggins’ Davies is no stranger to the world of FMX. At the age of only 22 Brayden is one of Australia’s busiest riders. With Braydens training partner Josh Sheehan usually jetting around the world, Brayden is left holding the torch performing most weekends as West Australia’s top FMX rider.

Six months ago though, Muggins upped and left the WA scene leaving a massive hole in the talent pool to continue his FMX dream joining the ARD Freestyle Motocross team in Tianjin, China. On travelling to China and working abroad for half year Muggins had to say.

“It was good to come over here and get away from the usual groundhog day in Australia, working here and there and riding weekends. Coming here gave me the opportunity to ride as a full time job and earn some decent money. Coming here has definitely got me more eager to travel, it’s made me realise that I don’t have to go home and work to make money, if I pull my head in and train harder I can make a good living out of something I really want to do, it’s definitely been an eye opener that way”.

While modest about his training regimen Muggins is no slouch either on or off the bike. At home a strict regimen of Muay Tai training at Riddlers gym keeps him going at home but living in China created some challenges and forced him to take a different approach to on and off the bike training.

“At home I probably train more off the bike than I would on the bike, I train in Riddlers Muay Tai gym at home, but here I have not been able to find a Muay Tai gym so I’ve been focusing more on strength training. It’s the opposite here though (compared to home) because we have so much time on the bike riding instead of at the gym. I’m still training and working every day, but it’s just a bit different, it’s good though, it works”.

Brayden’s training arrangements weren’t the only forced change by taking on this opportunity, like with everything there is always sacrifice involved to pursue your dreams.

“Coming here was good but hard in a way, the biggest thing I had to leave behind was the lifestyle at home, being with my girlfriend Kim and my dog as well as being able to see all my mates. Just leaving behind the sort of free living we have back at home. Here it’s a routine, we are always doing things which is good because it makes time go quick, but you are restricted to only being able to do a certain amount of things outside of work”.

Even with the constant show schedule there were chances to for extracurricular activities and Brayden took full advantage to experience the Chinese sights, culture and the challenges that come with it. When asked about the his highlights and biggest frustrations both on and off the bike Brayden said.

“The highlights of this trip off the bike is definitely seeing new and different culture, going to the Great Wall of China and Terracotta Warriors was awesome, just seeing the history or the Chinese people is pretty mind blowing. There are frustrations though,  I suppose the biggest would be the language barrier and just the ins and outs of day to day life, different stuff that you’ve kind of got to learn to get by, but aside from that its pretty good, living a bit different for 6 months”.

“Highlights as far as riding go are that its just awesome to have a job riding every day doing what you love, not having to load the bike up and travel to a compound or a show, just being able to turn up, get on the bike and ride is really convenient and easy  plus getting paid to do it is a really good bonus! The biggest frustration would be not being able to practice as much as you want, even though we are riding every day it is performing in shows and we don’t get to practice that much. Having to battle wind conditions and ride regardless makes it hard sometimes as well, but it’s all part of it”.

Brayden is always appreciative of the help he receives from those around him and his sponsors and would like to thank the following people.
“Thanks to Sturto, the ARD tream, Mirage Entertainment and anyone who has helped us be here and look after us. Rooney, Dillon and Browny for being good team mates that I can trust when I’m riding and them trusting me in return, so thanks to all those guys.

And thanks to all my sponsors for sticking by me when I’m overseas: Another Legacy, Sin Eyewear, MissJ Media, Sam Johns, Brady Thomas films, Greef Clothing, Westeffex Graffics, Pipeking, 5 Star Yamaha, and Moto Alliance”

If you would like to keep up with Brayden and what he is up to you can follow in on Instagram – @braydendavies.fmx

Stay tuned over the coming weeks for more personal insights from the riders and management on their own experiences and methods to maintain motivation and stay focused during their time aboard.