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George Goodall Interview - Part 3By the BMX Race team on November 23, 2009
PART 3: They call him The Working Man What exactly do you do for Allstate?
George: "I'm in claims, so I don't sell anything. I've been there for about seven years and I review and rewrite auto estimates for damaged cars. I also have done catastrophe work and was in Louisiana for 43 days handling homeowners claims for hurricane Katrina.”
Is it hard to put in a 9 to 5, and then come home and train or practice?
George: "Yeah. I have a BMX clinic I teach every Monday, but that's not my time. I do hit the track on Tuesdays for gates. In between work, getting and spending time with my kids, Mikal and Madison a few days a week, play some paintball, hang out with my beautiful girlfriend Kathy, riding my MTB, doing the dishes and then get some sleep. I just try to get in a productive sprint or gym sesh’ when I can. AZ weather does make it easier to go outside almost anytime I want to ride.”
Are you working with any specific trainer this year?
George: "No. I think I know what I need to do to prepare for my races. I'm not AA or anything and all us older guys have got the same responsibilities, so though a trainer is great I just can't justify it right now. But that may change soon, depending on my decisions next year. Besides, I got some of the fastest riders at my local track so I can just do what they do.”
We've seen you without a shirt on in the Redline pits, and you're looking pretty lean. What are you doin' to keep those washboard abs?
George: "Lean ? I'm buff ! (laughter)”
Not when you’re standing next to Carne$ - he is buffed. Looks like he could snap you like a twig.
George: "Actually I just have a high metabolism and any workout is good for me. I take weight gain, but I burn most of those calories just sleeping.”
Lucky you. Compared to most of us 40+ cruiser guys, we’ve all got some gut.
You've been doing a lot of Chandler BMX Clinics on a weekly basis -- is that also a part of your training regimen? George: "Yes, I don't teach from the bleachers. I ride with all the racers in my clinics so I get in some hot laps. But most of these awesome kids just keep me in check. They range in age from 5 to 14 and most of them will make me do pushups if they see on Go211 that I didn't pedal to the finish line after I told them to. (laughter). Gotta practice what I preach, huh?”
It's awesome that you do these Clinics at Chandler. Can you explain to the folks how teaching a 10 year old novice how to do a 2-pedal start helps you train? Or is it purely motivational and mental?
George: "I do get some slow laps in having kids pass me or as I ride with them, I tell them where to pedal, but it is more motivational and helps me mentally. I have to ride the way I ask my riders to, so it’s always in the forefront. It's a great feeling to have that 10 novice or his parents say, ‘My kid tried that move and they made the main or beat a competitor.’ Just to see that kid smiling ear to ear. I'm giving back to the sport that has given so much to me since 1979. That definitely keeps me motivated!”
 Read part 4 Here.
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