Professional motocross – or BMX – is actually based on extreme dirt-bike competition. It’s a sport that pays its top athletes at best in the six-figure range. So the great majority of its participants have to pay their own way in competitions and training. And it’s clearly not a sport for everyone.

Jorge Jovel is an immigrant from Honduras who admittedly spends too much time on his bike. He’s passed up decent jobs, relationships and family to endure pain becoming a top BMX competitor.

Special contributor Tesfaye Negussie brings us his story.

Right-click here to download an .mp3 of this segment.

Watch a video clip of Jorge Jovel’s story. This excerpt is from a half-hour video produced by Tesfaye Negussie, Tristan Ahtone, and Jed Kim.