Luke and Matt Cole are one lucky pair. Not only are they still alive after their wild FMX career, but they have grown up riding together, they surf, socialise, practice and perform together.

Luke says “I prefer riding with others. Even when you are learning new tricks it hard to stay motivated unless you have others with you. Matt always rides with me. We are both on the same level and we push each other to new boundaries. There is an enjoyment in watching others do a trick that’s good and it gets you excited to do more. I don’t like riding by myself, if I don’t have anyone to ride I don’t ride at all”

This attitude is not just about the safety factor, but there he says there is something about having someone to ride with you, on the same journey that builds you up and helps you grow. Having someone to give you that feedback, to keep you going forward and to warn you of any dangers ahead is integral part of succeeding in FMX.

“It can easily go pearshaped so quickly. Its always good to have someone there that knows what they are doing.” Luke says.

So how does one stay sane doing this mad sport? Luke attributes his sanity to a simple thing: “Listening to your heart. Listen to that voice. I say it’s God, people can call it whatever they want to call it - but there’s been times when something just doesn’t feel right.”

It’s a tough call, when sometimes he packs up and goes home after traveling to a long awaited event - knocking back over $1000 in appearance fees for a 10 minute ride.

Before every jump he stops, sits still and contemplates the jump to hear that still small voice in amongst the thunderous sound of the money and excitement and waits… and when he hears “not this time”... he listens!

And why bother with that ‘voice’? After breaking his back, twice – once surfing and once riding, separating both shoulders and both collar bones, breaking his thumb, blowing out both his ankles and having quite a few concussions he and Matt can both testify that their life is extremely precious and worth living.

“This is where I meant to be for this time. I am in a place of influence. To be a positive example to the guys I ride with.”

It’s well known in the FMX world that when Luke is at an event and if there are any hassles with the riders, he will be there for them and be a solid foundation. By stepping up in a voluntary leadership role as pretty much rider liaison between rider and event organizer, he has gained a reputation for keeping things the way it should be, safety wise and also morally.

This positive attitude and leadership has not only won them a rank in the top 10 FMX riders in Australia, but also earned them the respect of others both in the Motorcross world and to crowds all over the world.

Luke and Matt regularly appear at gatherings doing demos and telling their story of how their faith has helped them get through life on and off the ramps. They are now in a position to motivate and educate young people at schools, churches, festivals and even corporate gigs.

So what about you? Are there times when you’ve been faced with opportunities that where you have seen the hidden danger and gone home or there times when have seen the challenge as a positive and taken the jump?

It is knowing what to do, when, that is important. But how do we do that amongst the revving and noise of our life?

Is there anyone around that you can ask these kind of questions? Are you like Luke and have someone/people you can ride with in life and face the challenges.

Have you tried sitting back and checking out what’s in front of you before you jump?

It’s worth thinking about.