Marcus Kleveland would be the first to inform you he’s not match within the conventional sense. The snowboarder prefers freshly groomed snow over a cramped and sweaty gymnasium. Even arising with new tips whereas taking part in video video games is healthier than the considered pushing and lifting iron. Given all he’s completed at simply 24 years outdated, it’s arduous to argue together with his philosophy.
Recognized for his creativity and elegance, Kleveland might be a favourite in Huge Air, Slopestyle, and Knuckle Huck this weekend on the Aspen X Video games, which runs from Jan. 26-28 and can televised on ESPN.
Muscle and Health caught up with the Norwegian star to debate why he’s not sweating the gymnasium at present, how he overcame a doubtlessly career-ending harm, and the way he’s been in a position to make the most of his gaming to land tips.
From The Sticks to the Snow
Considered one of Kleveland’s favourite video games is I-Phantasm’s Shredders. The studio says the sport is their love letter to snowboarding and was created with a “for riders, by riders” ethos. Given the absurdity motion sports activities video games can have, Shredders is reasonable in its method to the main focus being on touchdown tips.
“I bear in mind taking part in SSX and doing these loopy tips that I believed have been undoable,” Kleveland says. “However now we’re principally doing the tips that we thought have been undoable, which is form of loopy as a result of video video games ought to be loopy. And it simply tells that the extent of snowboarding is loopy proper now.”
All it takes is viewing a loopy trick from a number of angles on the online game for Kleveland to switch that over to when he’s truly on his board. He additionally enjoys taking part in Name of Obligation to assist take his thoughts off of snowboarding and even likes to apply on a System 1 simulation rig. With one other ardour being vehicles, he says he’d like to in the future get behind the wheel of a automobile to compete.
No Health club, No Downside
Marcus Kleveland recollects 2020 being the final time he was routinely coaching within the gymnasium. It had nothing to do with testing his deadlift or bench press max. It was all a part of programming to assist return power to his proper knee after he had shattered his kneecap whereas training for the 2018 Dew Tour. It’s not that Kleveland is averse to the gymnasium. He simply feels the one manner for him to get higher on the sport he loves is to proceed doing it and luxuriate in it as a lot as doable.
“I by no means actually checked out snowboarding as a typical job or one thing that I have to do,” he mentioned. “I really like the game. I’ve at all times had tremendous enjoyable after I exit. You are able to do it with family and friends. “When you begin considering of one thing as a job, it’s simple to lose the enjoyment in it.”
Marcus Kleveland By no means Actually Processed How Unhealthy His Knee Harm Was
For any athlete, listening to that you just may by no means have the ability to compete once more from a physician needs to be even scarier than any potential harm. This was Kleveland’s actuality in 2018 when his kneecap was “crushed into numerous items.” Perhaps it was youthful defiance or that snowboarding had been his love since he began on the age of three. However when Kleveland heard these phrases, he went about getting his physique ready with a purpose to be able to compete once more.
“I believe I by no means actually processed how dangerous it was,” he mentioned. “For me, I didn’t wish to let that sink in. It was like, I’m for positive getting again and I’m gonna be 100%. I didn’t care regardless of the docs have been telling me.”
Marcus Kleveland says he by no means doubted himself or obtained to a spot of melancholy throughout his rehab. His household and buddies helped maintain his spirits excessive. He additionally performed numerous video video games and stored his thoughts busy. He missed the following two years earlier than making his return on the X Video games in 2020. That yr he took dwelling silver in Huge Air competitors. Given the harm occurred earlier than he might even step foot right into a bar, when he speaks on coming back from an harm, he sounds clever past his years.
“I really feel like when you get injured, you simply gotta assume optimistic,” he says. “No matter’s occurred has occurred already and there’s nothing you are able to do about it. You simply must be optimistic and look ahead.”
Nerves Include The Territory
The X Video games is among the greatest occasions of the yr. Rivals wish to placed on a great efficiency and present their finest. Even with being a 13-time X Video games medalist, Kleveland says he nonetheless will get nervous. The nerves are extra so a results of being hyped as a result of crowd and making an attempt to high himself. His confidence by no means wavers as he’s actually already ready from the work he places in earlier than approaching the beginning gate.
“I simply attempt to experience numerous snowboard earlier than the competition, simply to have the ability to actually do the essential issues and actually visualize the runs that I’m about to do,” Kleveland says. “That lets you consider in your self since you’ve achieved these tips hundreds of instances earlier than. It’s only a matter of placing them down when it counts.”
Music from Travis Scott and Don Toliver normally additionally helps Kleveland mellow out and concentrate on the duty at hand.
Observe Marcus Kleveland on Instagram @marcuskleveland. Additionally tune into reside protection of the X Video games on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC.