PROGRAMS

BMX Champion, Matt Wilhelm, performs amazing stunts while speaking to today’s youth on a variety of topics.  The students are not only entertained during the full 40-minute program, but also take away great character building messages that can last a lifetime.  Matt’s rapport with the kids is genuine, his approach doesn’t come off as preachy, and he is articulate. He has that "Cool Factor," and the kids relate to what he says and how he says it.

Each show covers three age appriopriate themes:

  • Perseverance
  • Bicycle Safety
  • Bullying
  • Goal Setting
  • Drug Awareness
  • Character Counts

Below are brief descriptions for each topic.

PERSEVERANCE
Never Give Up

Matt was told he would never be good enough to make it to the X Games.  Finally, after eight years of practice he made it, but finished in LAST PLACE.  Although he felt like giving up, he worked even harder.  The hard work paid off as he won the Bronze Medal at the X-Games the following year, along with many other titles.  He gets the students to repeat his motto of "Never Give Up," and he brings his X Games medals along for display to show as a concrete example of what perseverance is all about.

BICYCLE SAFETY
Wearing a Helmet and Rules of the Road 

Matt was hit by a car, but wearing a helmet may have saved his life.  It is estimated that brain injuries can be prevented up to 88% of the time just by wearing a helmet.  More kids wear helmets after seeing Matt's show.  Using volunteers Matt demonstrates the three common places where bike accidents occur: the street, driveway, and intersection.  After seeing his show one mother said “My daughter made me stop and walk the bike across the street.”

BULLYING
Respect and Dealing with Bullies

During Matt's first year of riding BMX he had to deal with a bully.  Using volunteers Matt shows how he dealt with the bully using his five bully F.A.C.T.S.: Make friends, avoid fighting, be confident, tell someone, and stay away.  He also talks about what happened to the bully and how he lost all of his friends.  Closing with an emphasis on respect, Matt stresses why you should treat each person with respect.

GOAL SETTING
How to properly set goals

Matt started riding BMX when he was in 8th grade, and always wanted to be a professional.  He started practicing the saxophone in 5th grade and eventually earned a music scholarship to Millikin University.  Graduating Magna Cum Laude, Matt achieved his other main goal of graduating from college.  He encourages the students to find something they like to do, practice, and set goals. Each goal should be written down, specific, and measurable.  He also encourages each student to go to college.

DRUG AWARENESS
Every Choice has a Consequence

Matt clearly tells a story about how one of his childhood role models offered him drugs, while riding BMX together one day.  He describes how every choice you make has a consequence, some good and some bad.  By choosing to stay away from drugs Matt chose the right path and the consequences of his decision were positive.  He talks about what happened to his friend who offered him drugs and points out the differences in how their lives ended up from making one decision.

CHARACTER COUNTS
Using the Six Pillars

In addition to being a great bike rider, Matt always wanted to be a good person and know the difference between right and wrong.  This program covers the six pillars of character counts: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship.  Matt states how these values helped shape his life and gives examples for each pillar.  They are something to follow everyday, as opposed to just one day at the X Games.