The Real Deal: Ryan McCullough
By Hooked Staff
Jan 1, 2006, 07:36
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| On a day off from his sales job, McCullough soars to a second US Extreme Skiing title. Photo by Tom Stillo |
Age: 28
Hometown: Denver, Colorado
Occupation: National Accounts Manager, Eagle Claw Fishing Tackle
Sports: Skiing & Fishing
Accomplishments: 2003 and 2005 US Extreme Skiing Overall Champion; 2004 US Skiercross Pro Tour Series Overall Champion; catching a 23” smallmouth bass; playing outside linebacker for Western State College of Colorado; supporting a family while juggling a full-time day job and a pro skiing career
Why I Ski: “I grew up being competitive in everything. When collegiate football and skiing ended, I still had a huge drive to go out and win. You train your whole life to do this. I just couldn’t wake up one day and say it was over.”
Why I Fish: “When I’m fishing by myself, it’s one of the few times I’m not competitive. I’m not on edge. I’m almost in a daze, out there having fun and relaxing.”
Keeping It Real: “Some skiers can make a living out of it, but most of them are single and can live day-to-day. I’ve got a mortgage and a family to support. I can have an unfortunate accident anytime skiing, and I don’t want to put that situation on my family. …On winter mornings I get up at 4 a.m., drive to Berthoud Pass, get a couple of laps in the backcountry, then get back to Denver to go to work or be with the family. …Anyone single would laugh at me, but playing in the snow with my 2-year-old son on a powder day can be just as rewarding as skiing an untracked run.”
Favorite Moment: “Every fall, when the weather starts getting cold, there’s a salmon run on the Gunnison River [in Colorado]. One-and-a-half million Kokanee salmon run up that river every fall. You’re in the mountains, snow is coming—it’s the last hurrah of fishing season and I know that powder days are right around the corner.”
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