…Mentally, I’m just locked in. I’m super aggressive and motivated, and when it’s time to race, I block everything else out. I think the pressure helps me perform better. When I’m on the starting line or in the race, I flip a switch and go into work mode. I turn the pressure into something positive to get the best result and focus on the race without getting distracted…
Motocross is one of the most intense, high-adrenaline sports today. Athletes tackle challenging off-road circuits filled with jumps and sharp turns. The SuperMotocross World Championship Finale combines the indoor Supercross with the speed of outdoor motocross, culminating in a thrilling season finale. The championship features 17 rounds of indoor racing, 11 outdoor rounds, and a three-race postseason, making this the “Super Bowl” of motocross.
Haiden Deegan has rapidly become one of the most exciting riders in the in the motocross world, securing the 2024 AMA Pro Motocross Championship. This marks Deegan’s second consecutive 250 class championship, after first claiming the title in 2023. Riding for Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing, Deegan has consistently impressed, finishing in the top three in 17 out of 18 motos this season, with nine overall moto wins. Known for his fearless riding style and focus under pressure, Deegan is quickly emerging as one of the brightest young stars in the sport, already boasting three major championships in just two years as a professional.
Let’s start with your nickname. When and how did you get it?
When I was little, my Dad had a group of friends that saw me hit this BMX jump and they started calling me “Danger Boy” and it stuck ever since. I can feel myself starting to outgrow it, but it’s also cool because it’s become my brand.
When did you start riding, and who had the biggest influence on you?
I started riding when I was around three years old. My dad definitely had the biggest influence on me. He was one of the starters of freestyle motocross, and he did Supercross and Motocross too. He actually won a Supercross race and then went into freestyle with all his buddies. My sister also races NASCAR, so we’re a huge racing family. My parents raised me, and my siblings, with a winner’s mentality. The biggest thing I learned from my dad is to stay aggressive and give it everything I’ve got. As much as I sometimes want to act like I know what I’m doing, but I know my parents are there for me and that I have to take their advice because I know they’re only trying to help me me better.
Did you recently graduate high school?
Yes, I graduated last year. I went to school up until ninth grade, then switched to homeschooling to focus more on racing. It was tough balancing school and training because motocross is such a year-round sport. But the homeschooling program made it easier for me to focus on my career while still getting my education.
Let’s jump into motocross and supercross. How would you explain the sport to someone who isn’t so familiar with it?
Motocross and Supercross are two different types of racing. Supercross is indoor, with tighter, more technical tracks, while Motocross is outdoor and has much longer tracks. Both have separate championships, and riders compete to earn points throughout the season. The goal is to qualify for the SuperMotocross (SMX) Championship, a three-race playoff series at the end of the year, which is like the “Super Bowl” of the sport. The ultimate goal is to win titles and eventually move up where the more experienced riders and past champions race. It’s tougher to win in that class of riders because everyone is a pro at that level.
Talk to me about mentally preparing for these races. What’s going through your head during a championship weekend like this past weekend?
Mentally, I’m just locked in. I’m super aggressive and motivated, and when it’s time to race, I block everything else out. I think the pressure helps me perform better. When I’m on the starting line or in the race, I flip a switch and go into work mode. I turn the pressure into something positive to get the best result and focus on the race without getting distracted.
I would imagine there are a lot of injuries in your sport. Have you had any tough setbacks?
I actually had a pretty good streak when I was younger without getting injured. From about 7 to 14, I didn’t really get hurt. Then I broke my collarbone and fractured my back, which was my first big injury. I remember walking around school with a back brace. That was tough, but I pushed through it.
More recently, I broke my wrist right before the season started. I had to get surgery three weeks before the first round. It was hard because I had to recover and then jump right back into racing. The first few races were challenging, but once I got my rhythm back, it felt good. It’s a dangerous sport, so injuries are part of it, but you just have to stay mentally strong and push through.
Talk to me about the business part of the sport, your team, the brands, and the income opportunities.
Once you sign with a team, like Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing for me, you’re part of all the team’s sponsors. Each part of the bike is sponsored by different companies, and the team pays you a salary based on your contract. You can go from making $100,000 as a starter to some riders making four to five million dollars a year. The income from winning tournaments is also pretty big. I won $500,000 from the SMX championship this year and another $500,000 from the Pro Motocross title.
Are you also able to get brand deals too?
Being part of a team means we’re tied to sponsors like Monster Energy. But outside the team, you can definitely bring on your own sponsors. For example, I’m sponsored by Ford. So, the income from sponsorships can be pretty big, especially if you have a strong social media following and can promote those brands.
That’s a lot of money for an 18 year old. How have you handled so much success early on and have you bought anything special for yourself?
My family helps me manage everything, especially my mom. She handles most of the business side and wants to make sure I’m set up for the future.
I told my parents that if I win the championship I’m getting a sports car, so that was pretty cool.
I noticed you have a huge social media following. Tell me about it.
Social media is great because it’s helped me introduce so many people to the sport who wouldn’t have followed motocross. Growing the sport is a big deal because the more people watching the more new sponsors will want to be part of the sport. I also like getting a chance to show people that outside of racing I’m just a regular teenager who likes to do fun stuff.
What platforms are you most active on?
I’m mostly on Instagram and YouTube. Instagram is where I post almost daily, and we do race recaps and lifestyle content. YouTube is big too. We have a family channel called “The Deegans” where we post two or three times a week. It’s my dad, my little brother, and me. My sister used to be more involved, but now she’s more focused on NASCAR.
Does managing your social media ever get overwhelming? Do you get help?
It’s a lot of work and definitely a big responsibility. I have 1.6 million followers on and I run my own channel because I like making my own posts, but we have help for our YouTube channel. A full-time editor and someone filming comes with us to the race, and after the videos are edited they’re posted.
If you and I were having this conversation three years from now, and looking back at the previous three years, what has to happen for you to be happen with your progress?
The goal is to keep winning. I want to win the Supercross title next year and then defend it. After that, I’ll move up to the 450 class and looking back, I hope to see that I’ve won all the titles I set out to win. That’s the plan.
That’s great, Haiden. I have no doubt we can expect to see some incredible things from you in the coming years. Congrats on your second SuperMotocross Championship, and best of luck with your career.
Thank you, I appreciate it. I’m excited for what’s next and ready to keep winning.
Fans can check out Haiden’s personal website and follow him on Instagram and YouTube.
About the Interviewer: Chad Silverstein, a seasoned entrepreneur with over two decades of experience as the Founder and CEO of multiple companies. He launched Choice Recovery, Inc., a healthcare collection agency, while going to The Ohio State University, His team earned national recognition, twice being ranked as the #1 business to work for in Central Ohio. In 2018, Chad launched [re]start, a career development platform connecting thousands of individuals in collections with meaningful employment opportunities, He sold Choice Recovery on his 25th anniversary and in 2023, sold the majority interest in [re]start so he can focus his transition to Built to Lead as an Executive Leadership Coach. Learn more at www.chadsilverstein.com
The Making of a Motocross Legend: Haiden Deegan Unplugged was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.