David Cullinan does not stop. He's going 100 mph at all times. What makes this guy move, where does it all come from and where does it all go? Tracking down Dave Cullinan was like running next to a speeding train hoping to jump on for the ride. We were able to track down Dave for about fifteen minutes. He was in between meetings and on the road with one of his So Cal Sales Representatives. What is Dave Cullinan or Cully if you will, doing on the road with a Sales Representative? Actually, what is Cully doing period? Better yet, what has Cully done? We took our fifteen minutes and nailed him with an intense interrogation on his life, his accomplishments and his goals. Somehow we even managed to squeeze out a little of his personality.

Dave Cullinan was born in Torrance, CA. He was fourth in line out of five total siblings. Dave currently resides in Mission Viejo, CA. He spends the majority of his day working, riding and relaxing. He's humble, but yet cocky and rightfully so as he has overcome the unthinkable, both mentally and physically. Dave's list of achievements range from BMX/MTB world champion to record breaking heart surgery recovery patient. He hangs out with the Average Joe, but yet his cell phone dials direct to an endless list of rock stars and celebrities. He was featured on NBC's "Dateline" and told the story of his tragic heart damage and his incredible comeback victory.

He has made the podium at more than five BMX World Championships. He has taken more than 100 National wins. He is both a U.S. National and International World Champion on his mountain bike. He has won nine World Cups in both MTB Downhill and MTB Dual Slalom. He has taken nearly a dozen NORBA (National Off Road Bicycle Association) Championship wins. Dave recounts starting his winning streak in 1982 at the Torrance Unified School District Bicycle Rodeo, he took first place.

His self-confidence and sense of humor compliment each other well. His desire to succeed runs his life, both mentally and physically. Dave has made quite a few changes with his on track career and off track life. Take a few minutes and learn why Dave was offered a special invite to participate in the inaugural X Games Downhill BMX event.

Woodward...where is it all going down.

Dave has suffered from a long list of injuries. The most tragic and scariest injury was in 1993 in Phoenix, AZ at the Cactus Cup mountain bike race.

Dave, talk to me about what happened in 1993?
"In 1993 I crashed due to mechanical failure on my bike. I damaged my heart really bad. It went undetected for almost four months. I wound up having to go in for open-heart surgery. They had to put in a titanium valve to keep things going. Later on in 1994 the doctors said I was completely done with bike racing and I was going to have to go out and get a job. They told me to go get a degree or get a job, pretty much, they told me to go wash cars for all they cared, you know because that's all an ex-pro mountain biker is good for, washing cars. So, a year and a half later I discovered a surgery that involved a human heart valve. So I went back under the knife for my second open-heart surgery to install the human heart valve. Eight weeks later (1996) I returned to the Cactus Cup and raced. Later on in 1996 I had to go back in for a third open heart surgery to clean up all the scar tissue from the titanium valve. That same year in NORBA I finished 3rd overall in Downhill and 4th overall in Dual Slalom."

Dave's positive attitude and focus make certain periods of his life somewhat delusional. The reality is Dave went from 1992 World Downhill MTB Champion to ailing heart patient. He was thrown into a new world where he was no longer in control. The doctors gave him no hope, nearly leaving him out to dry. He was not expected to exercise again let alone race competitively. Dave had continuous problems with his titanium valve and was subject to loads of medications. During the midst of his tragic health condition, Dave was suffering through family trauma as well. Dave had departed from his on cue, on edge lifestyle and fell into a depressing slump.

However, he realized his situation, embraced his accomplishments and decided he wanted more. Dave went beyond his doctors and began researching other alternatives. He discovered that there was a similar surgery being performed. This new surgery involved a human heart valve as compared to the troubling, almost failing titanium valve he had in his chest. In 1995 Dave went back under the knife and had the new surgery performed. He quickly got back on track and continued down the warpath.

After 1996 where did you go and what did you do?
"In 1997 I just continued to race, I've maintained a podium position all the way up until this year. In 1999 I crashed and broke my shoulder and then dislocated it. In 2000 I injured my wrist pretty bad and it continued to cause problems."

Dave, you've got a pretty unique desire to win and a ridiculous amount of motivation. Where does it all come from?
"I feel that I've always been a competitive individual. Growing up I always hated playing team sports, people would always tell me to relax. I was always the kid in soccer yelling at people to run. I couldn't stand relying on other people. I hate to lose, that's pretty much where I've gotten my work ethic. Being an individual means you can control the team's performance, excuses are like a**holes, they all stink."

So tell me a little more about winning? What is more important to you, having a good time or getting the "job" done?
"I think, uh, if you're gonna show up and winning is the only thing on your mind, then you should go get a seat in the stands. I want to win at everything I do. I am not a spectator, whether it is a sales drive or a downhill race. I'm in it to win it."

Cully is going to jump right into the action.

Stepping back a little bit, what made you decide that you wanted to become a Pro BMX racer and then a Pro MTB racer?
"You know, I was just talking to Todd Lyons about this. When I was a kid I started riding because I wanted to. I started racing because I wanted to do something I loved. I started racing pro because I wanted to do something I loved and try to make a living at it. I've completed the cycle, now I'm working and riding."

Tell me about this new "working" thing. What happened at the end of 2000 with Schwinn and what are you doing now?
"The gist of it is…the mountain bike program at Schwinn ran out of money. I was hurt (broken wrist) and couldn't race and the other athletes deserved the money. They looked at the results at the end of the year and… I'm not one to cry over spilled milk, I just go about my life. In fact at this point I'm the happiest f***in guy in the world. In my newfound life I can still ride and that is the most important thing to me. Oakley has stood by me for eleven years and now I'm working for them. Hopefully I'll spend the rest of my life working for them. I'm a Regional Sales Manager; I oversee six reps for five states including Southern California. I do a lot of number crunching and I've lucked out and have great guys working for me. I'm living a dream scenario."

Dave is riding for Oakley, Haro Bikes, Troy Lee Designs and Shimano.

So working at Oakley and healing your wrist, what does this mean for your racing career?
"I'm going to race select BMX races, I just raced the ABA Bakersfield, CA race, the Vans Triple Crown, all of the NORBA Series and of course the X Games Downhill BMX race."

In June 2000, the TV show "Dateline" did a special on you, your heart problems and your comeback. How do you feel about being a celebrity?
"I have no desire to be one."

Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't you have long list of rock star friends?
"Here's the deal, in 1995 I was at Big Bear and Jeff the bass player from Guns N' Roses was there. He was checking out the race. He wanted to kind of get in clean up mode. He had read about me in magazines and stuff and wanted to meet me. We wound up hanging out and then began trading bike parts for bass lessons. I always wanted to learn how to play bass. Anyway, things just went on from there…"

To sum up your life's accomplishments what do you feel have been your most significant?
"I think off the track… Well I spoken at a couple of American Heart Association Fundraisers and… Umm, probably the bike rodeo thing in 1982."

You've gone from little grom on a BMX bike to PRO to Mountain bike World Champion to heart surgery patient to Champion to X Games Downhill BMX contender, who's responsible for all of this and who needs to be thanked?
"I would like to say thank you to my family for their support in every possible way throughout my life. Thank you to my long time sponsors that have supported me throughout my career. Last but not least, thank you to all of the people that believe in me, whether it is racing, working or whatever. When I tell them I can do it I will do it. Oh, and thank you and EXPN for the opportunity to have a little time in the sun. I've gotta run, I'm heading into a bike shop right now to make sure they're buying Oakley."

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