Mike Metzger

Mike Metzger is an innovator and creative force in motocross with five X Games medals and a world record. Metzger is best known as "the Godfather" of American Freestyle Motocross (FMX) because he started doing tricks that had never been seen before. For example, at the 2002 X Games, he performed the first-ever back-to-back backflips to win the freestyle event, and he took home gold in best trick with a backflip as well -- becoming the first rider to land the trick in competition.

His world record is for the longest motorcycle jump at 125 feet. Only Robbie Knievel had successfully landed the jump before over Caesars Palace's fountains where his father Evel Kneivel had tried and crashed. But Metz added a backflip live on ESPN that was documented by the Guiness Book of World Records to top off the distance record. Additionally, he's been involved with Supercross, Hollywood stunt doubling and custom designs for Oakley goggles. He also paints landscapes and portraiture.

Mike is tough as steel. He literally has metal rods holding him together after various crashes and injuries that are a part of the sport, including five broken backs, broken teeth, shattered wrists and breaking his femur four times. He's bounced back each time (including last year's amazing recovery: After four surgeries in nine weeks he was able to make the X Games speed and style finals).