In the second episode of the NSMB Podcast, A.J. Barlas chats with Nico Vink about his childhood and how growing up in Belgium influenced his riding today. Nico opens up about the struggles he's faced as a result of pursuing his passion – chancing it on more than one occasion to get to an event with only enough money to fuel his car to get there. How perception plays a role in being comfortable on massive 90-foot jumps and let's not forget the missing tooth. You'll have to wait until the end to learn that story because A.J. almost forgot himself.

Topics discussed:

1. Growing up in Belgium and racing Cross Country
2. Nico's transition into, and out of World Cup DH
3. Freeride and the FEST Series
4. Riders to look out for and who he's inspired by
5. Loosefest; how the event and Fest Series events are run and what it takes to put it on
6. Rampage: Judging the event and his insane line the last time he competed in the event
7. Nico's involvement with Chatel Bike Park
8. Parts he runs and how his bike setup changes from regular riding to FEST events
9. That missing tooth and why it took so long to replace

Links mentioned in this episode:

• FEST Series
• Chatel Bike Park
• Red Bull Rampage