Laid up with Brady Lem

I’ve had some wild times with Brady Lem over the past couple years while we worked on the second and third Method Movies. I consoled him after he witnessed a cat-rape in Bulgaria; he made sure I wasn’t left for dead in the Innsbruck Hilton during Method Movie 3 Tour. We do our best to keep an eye on each other. 

Needless to say, I was super bummed when I heard he’d snapped the tibia and fibula in his left leg earlier this year, but equally convinced he’d take it in stride, smoothly rolling with the punches as he does so well. That’s the kind of person he is. He’s realistic and level-headed, very aware of his station in life and what comes with it. I think one of the first things he said to me after the break was something like, “I have had great health for 4 or 5 years, I am lucky. These things happen in snowboarding.”

And he’s got a fantastically dry sense of humor to boot. He’s the dude you always want on the film trip, making sure the vibe stays loose, the jokes keep coming and lending a hand to make sure the homie gets the clip. A team player through and through, I’d have him on every movie project I work on if I could. But until then, he’s posted up recovering in Minnesota, and I shot him a couple questions to see how that’s shaking out for him.

Interview by Mike Goodwin. 

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© Ponchikz

 

Unfortunately, you are stuck on the couch. What exactly happened to ya?


I was on a film trip up in Duluth, Minnesota and ended up breaking my leg. I was hitting this rail to down-flat ledge, and didn’t get onto the ledge in the right place and got caught on the inside, which led straight into a tree. I tried to slip out to dodge it, but ended up t-boning the tree. I immediately knew that my tibia and fibula were broken; my leg was fully snapped right below my knee. Really a bummer; I landed what I was hoping for the try before, just wanted to get it cleaner.

First thought that went through your head?

Just mad knowing my season was over, and in disbelief that I just broke my leg. I felt like an idiot. 

How was the pain, on a scale from one to 10?

The pain was pretty messed. I’m going to give it a 10 because it’s by far the most pain I’ve ever been in. Any little movement was rough, so getting up into the stretcher sucked big time. Definitely was screaming until I got juiced up in the ambulance.

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Moments after the break.

 

You said something when we were talking that I think is important for us to remember about having great luck with your health over the last handful of years. It’s not that you expected to get hurt, but it showed that you understood the risks and potential downfalls of filming video parts. It’s obvious, but sometimes I think riders forget that. Sooner or later, you’re bound to get an unlucky break What’s that saying, if ya mess with the bull…

Haha… you get the horns. It’s funny how I've replayed the events of that morning over and over, but realistically there’s nothing I would have done differently up until the injury. I was fully confident and never thought that tree was going to be a problem. It takes that one bad attempt.

What do you think is most stressful about being injured?

Watching everybody else go snowboarding on Instagram.

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Both Fibula and Tibia in two.

 

The four days surrounding your break included other really difficult news. Can you speak a little about what unfolded, and how are you holding up? 


Yeah, 100% worst chain of events of my life. After breaking my leg, I had to stay in the hospital for three nights (I live on the third floor of an apartment complex with no elevator). Upon finally getting back to my apartment, I wake up the next morning to my girlfriend telling me how my car isn’t outside anymore. I called the cops. They came over and filled out a report for my stolen car (still haven’t heard anything about it). I then called my mom to tell to her how my car was taken, and before I even get to explain to her, I find out that she’s in the ER with my dad. They found a tumor in his brain. He's a boss though, and my whole family is staying positive about the situation. Definitely a rough start to 2019, but I’ve been doing pretty well actually. Just been focusing on getting healthy, staying optimistic and keeping busy.

**Update - (car found!)

Long story but all there was for evidence was a half-eaten box of cereal and my shit thrown everywhere… Basically I applied to this apartment complex this fall, and ended up getting shut down. But on the application I put down the info/license plate number for my car. And my car ended up being parked in the parking lot for this apartment. So they called me asking me to move my car so they could plow the lot, thinking that I lived there because I was in there system. The apartment manager calling me had no idea the car was stolen/missing.

How have you been passing the time?

Watching shows, documentaries, reading, physical therapy, collaging, Scrabble. Tommy Gesme also lent me his Xbox for the winter as well. Thanks, Tommy.

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© Ponchikz Filming for Method Movie 3, back fifty to front board transfer.

 

Are you pretty mobile? You got any roommates or a girlfriend helping ya with things?

I’m pretty mobile now, I can crutch around fairly well. But the first two to three weeks were rough. Luckily I have a girlfriend who has helped me out since day one of my injury. I was fully helpless for the first couple weeks…

What was that like?

I didn’t shit for five days after my break due to pain pills, had to piss in handheld jugs for two weeks, which my girlfriend would have to empty, and showered sitting in a chair for five weeks. Also, crutching up and down three stories to get to and out of my apartment was rough.

Netflix, Hulu, cable, other?

I’m on Netflix and Hulu for sure. I also find myself getting lost in the YouTube app on my TV.

Any shows that you are hooked on at the moment?

I haven’t been much of a show guy until now. But I recently started watching ‘Breaking Bad’ from the start, and it’s insane.

How about books? Always underrated…

Definitely been trying to read as much as possible. Right now I’m on this David Sedaris book. It’s funny and keeps me entertained. It’s basically a bunch of short stories from his life. 

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© Ponchikz Gang life in Moscow.

 

How do you combat the urge to entertain yourself with your phone all day?

I actually set time limits for social media through the new Screen Time app on the iPhone and it’s been awesome. It “locks” me out of any social media after an hour and a half of screen time per day. I for sure ignore the limit sometimes but it keeps me in check. 

Since you’ve been immobile, I assume you’ve been able to keep up with everyone’s video/edit output. Who or what crew is on fire at the moment? What should we have our eyes open for?

100% have been watching a lot of vids. I watched Jake Durham’s new Hyland edit and I really liked that. The DC dudes were in Japan for most of January, filming for a new DC Transistors Season 2 episode that just came out. That was a fun watch for sure. I obviously love those guys and they're always having a good time. Sounds like they're heading to Russia this week to film for another episode. I also have heard the Adidas boys are up to something as well. So hyped to see Jed Anderson back in the mix!

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© Ponchikz 30k ollie.

 

How would you describe Minneapolis during the recent polar vortex freeze?

It was like a ghost town outside. Everything was frozen and still. All of the windows of my apartment froze over. We couldn’t see anything out of the windows for a couple days.

Most unusual thing you saw or heard about during the freeze?

My friend saw a bunny, frozen alive, right outside of his place. Poor guy. Also when it gets that cold, you can throw boiling water into the air and it evaporates into steam in mid-air. On top of that, it went from - 50 degrees to 40 degrees (Fahrenheit) in like two days. It felt tropical when it got to 40.

When did the doctor say you can start cruising on a board again?

He was saying I should have no problem getting back out there in April. Way hyped on that.

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© Daniel Tengs Back 3 in urban Bulgaria shooting for MM2.

 

What will be the first thing you do when you’re back?

Probably find some quality groomers and get some turns in. And stay away from trees.

Will you be able to participate in any of the DC Transistors action this year?

Actually, yeah. We have a summer trip planned to Chile for early August. That place is a dream. 100% looking forward to that.

Any last words or advice for other homies currently laid up on the couch?

Stay positive and keep your brain active. 

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© Daniel Tengs


 

 

 

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