Freestyle BMX: Nikita Ducarroz in an interview: "I felt like a beginner"

Swiss-American BMX rider Nikita Ducarroz grew up in the USA. As a child, Nikita played football, but then she had panic attacks and no longer dared to be around people. So she started doing BMX tricks in her backyard - YouTube tutorials helped her. Nikita was 14 years old at the time. Today, she is two-time runner-up in the BMX world championship and won bronze at the 2020 Olympic Games. She talks openly about her anxiety disorder and is an advocate for mental health in sport.

FREERIDE: Nikita, do you follow the FMB World Tour?

Nikita Ducarroz: Every now and then I watch a live stream and am fascinated by what they do. And yes, it's similar but completely different.

This year there will be a separate women's category at Crankworx events on the FMB World Tour. Do you ever think, okay, I'm going to mix it up?

Yes, I have such fantasies. But I'm not yet ready to put my BMX in the corner and get on my MTB. The Crankworx courses are huge, but I think I could at least make it over all the jumps. Provided I get used to the mountain bike.

How fit are you on your mountain bike?

I have a dirt bike and even a fully, but unfortunately I don't get to ride it often enough. I would love to transfer my BMX tricks to the MTB. I still remember trying my hand at dirt biking. The suspension felt strange and I had an unusual amount of bike between my legs. I felt like a beginner - not a good feeling. But after a short time, I was flipping with it. But that was a few years ago and I haven't touched the bikes since.

Why not?

If you want to be successful at something, you should only concentrate on one thing. It would be my guilty conscience telling me: Why are you on the mountain bike, you could be training on the BMX right now.

Some say it's important to have a balance. So as not to lose the fun.

Of course, balance is important. I travel the world on my BMX and see new places. I'm currently in Costa Rica, where I'm riding waves alongside my training. However, I don't want to get used to mountain biking at the moment, my focus is on Paris (editor's note: the Olympic Games are taking place there this summer).

Many BMXers change the paddock. Prominent examples include Kriss Kyle, Christian Rigal and Brad Simms.

Yes, of course I realise that. And it fascinates me. I think she's attracted to the new, whereas I haven't had enough of BMXing yet.

BMX freestyle: lots of training in the gym, healthy eating and targeted training in the park

How can we imagine the BMX freestyle scene?

Phew, I don't know the MTB scene, so it's difficult for me to draw a comparison. It's very athletic here. That means lots of training in the gym, a healthy diet and targeted training in the park.

Sounds serious, less like fun rides like the street BMXers.

Don't get me wrong, we have fun too. Besides, your image of street BMXers is outdated. As if they sleep in forever, avoid the gym and eat fast food. No, I know a lot of people who train just as professionally as we do. Because here, too, the power density is enormous. Basically, I see a lot of parallels. The street BMXers live out their creativity in the city centres, we do it in the skate park.

Do you have what it takes to be a street BMXer?

No, you need to know that we BMXers ride on standardised ramps with similar radii in the skate park. On the street, you have to make do with what the city has to offer. But of course, if there's a hip, then I can fire myself out of it or ride wall rides.

Nikita Ducarroz: I was already struggling with anxiety disorders and panic attacks as a teenager

You are calling for more support from the associations when it comes to mental health. What do you expect and what have you achieved so far?

I am not demanding, I am sensitising. I talk about it because it shouldn't be a taboo subject. I think athletes in particular find it difficult to talk about mental health problems. You have to know that: As a professional athlete, it's all about being strong and looking strong. Be it during the competition or in between. You don't show your vulnerable side and you don't want to ask for help. I think that's rubbish and I want to break with it. Mental coaches are much more common today than they were a few years ago. That's good news.

Do you work with a mental coach and how does he help you?

For me, it's not just about keeping my nerve before the competition and dealing with the pressure. I struggled with anxiety disorders and panic attacks as a teenager. That's why I've had a psychotherapist for a long time to help me deal with it.

Does this mean that mental coaches are more likely to help athletes deal with the pressure before a competition than with other life problems such as grief, separation or depression?

It depends on what the athlete wants and how qualified the mental coach is.

What makes a good mental coach?

A good mental coach is competent, asks the right questions and steers your thoughts in the direction of the solution. Many people underestimate this and think they are just listening anyway. But that's not true. The relationship between athlete and mental coach is very important, it has to be right. The coach must understand you and know what makes you tick.

"When I put the BMX aside, I get on my mountain bike"

Do you have any tips on how to keep your nerve? For example, before the race.

That is very individual. It helps me to visualise the run in my mind's eye. I also talk myself through it. That calms me down. A certain amount of relaxation helps me, for example when people joke before the run. I also do breathing exercises if I feel myself getting too nervous.

When was the last time you had a panic attack?

There are big ones and small ones. I've learnt to live with them. I had the last big one after the European Championships. My flight was leaving in a few hours and I was alone in my hotel room. My team and my mental coach had already left. My heart was racing, I could hardly breathe. I was sitting on the bed and couldn't move. You have to realise that this is a total loss of control. A few weeks ago, I had a minor panic attack. I spoke to my parents and friends on the phone and that helped. The worst thing is when you try to avoid the attack.

Will we see you as a professional mountain biker one day?

Maybe. At least I'm sure that when I put the BMX aside, I'll get on my mountain bike. But I still want to ride a BMX.