Lifestyle changes help BMX legend Mirra to get back on top

BMX legend Dave Mirra was just looking for a change when he decided to quit drinking and eat a little healthier.

"It seems to be paying off," he said, "to cut the partying out. I haven't had a season like this for a while."

Currently tied for first place in the 2009 Dew Tour season in BMX Park, Mirra said he's looking forward to returning to Salt Lake City and continue what has been a successful season. The Toyota Challenge is the fourth of five competitions on the Dew Tour's five-city circuit. The events begin with qualifying Thursday and wraps up on Sunday. (See box for schedule.)

This weekend's competition is a veritable Who's Who in action sports from Mirra to Jamie Bestwick in the BMX competition, and to Greg Lutzka, Paul Rodrigues and 14-year-old Chaz Ortiz in skateboarding.

The competition will be fierce, but that doesn't bother Mirra.

"I still do love riding," said the 35-year-old, who is married with two daughters. "I'm on my bike most every day. I don't feel pressure; I know what can happen."

Mirra knows, good and bad, what can happen in action sports. In 18 years as a professional, he has won more X Games gold medals (14) than any other athlete. He has earned medals in 22 of 26 X Games contests.

In 2000, he was the first rider to land a double back flip in competition.

In the last couple of years, he said he felt stagnant.

"I have a family now," he said. "I think it's the ups and downs of competition, and the distractions for me because I'm older."

Mirra has his own video game, signature shoe, pro model bike, action figures and trading cards. He's appeared in dozens of television shows over the years. Additionally, he has helped create scholarships through Camp Woodward, an action sports camp and training facility to benefit the American Cancer Society. He is, in every sense of the word, a busy man.

So busy, in fact, he began to entertain thoughts of retirement.

Then, at the end of January, Mirra decided to change his lifestyle instead.

"My whole goal was to do one month of eating better, working out every day and not drinking," he said. "I really felt a difference."

In addition to a little weight loss, he said his love of competing was reinvigorated. It showed, as he began to again dominate a sport he'd helped put on the sports map.

"I just wanted a change," he said. "I really wanted to see if it made a difference. ... It just wears on you physically."

He's not sticking to the strict rules he employed for a few months, but he remains committed to working out, eating better and drinking in moderation.

"I didn't do it for better results," he said. "I just wanted an overall better lifestyle. …I'm not super strict. I just try to outweigh the bad with the good."

Mirra said he won't try anything too crazy this weekend as he tries to stay atop the standings.

"There are so many amazing riders," he said. "I just want to stick with what I've got."

e-mail: adonaldson@desnews.com