Balance. Throttle. Purpose.
From college football player to professional sportbike freestyle rider, Ian Gaines has built a career that blends athletic discipline, creativity and showmanship. In this episode, host Heather Wilson Schiltz talks with Ian about how a chance encounter in a Nashville parking lot changed the course of his life and how he’s stayed at the top of his game for nearly two decades.
They dive into everything from bike setup and training routines to performing through injury, building sponsor relationships, and balancing family life with a demanding travel schedule. Ian also shares what drives him to keep learning, performing, and inspiring the next generation of riders.
🎧 What You’ll Hear:
• How Ian transitioned from football to freestyle riding and what hooked him instantly
• His intense daily routine balancing fitness, training and fatherhood
• Why setup and precision are everything for professional stunt riders
• The mental toughness behind performing live shows (even with broken legs)
• His philosophy on sponsorships, professionalism and brand partnerships
• How his family supports and shares his passion for motorcycles
• The story behind the Gaines family YouTube channel, The Gainesters
• What’s next for Ian as he evolves from full-time rider to mentor and media creator
📲 Connect with Ian Gaines on Instagram and YouTube
🌐 Visit his website: IanGaines.com
🔔 Subscribe for more stories and strategies from inside the motorsports world
“My main goal every show is to not show you how good of a rider I am but to entertain you. So if you leave with a smile, right? If you had the best time of your life from one of the shows, that’s my goal. Because it’s not my goal to say ‘I’m the best in the world. Okay.’ But it’s more important for me to see you or the six year old kid or the 12 year old kid who didn’t have a bike yet, who may be inspired by the show. I want all of you guys to have a really, really good time.“
-Ian Gaines, Professional Sportbike Freestyle Rider
