Is determination and skill innate? There are athletes… and then there are the stories that shape them. A young boy who didn’t like the rules of youth team sports. A mom who brings home a flyer for a local BMX track. And a path that changes everything.
For Connor Fields, that path is as remarkable as it is far-reaching. A three-time Olympian (2012, 2016, and 2020), each Games brought a new chapter—new pressure, new triumphs, and new heartbreaks. He entered all three as a favorite, ultimately leaving with gold. But along the way came disappointment, setbacks, and a near-death experience that reshaped his entire outlook on life.
Yet Connor has always believed he was destined to be a champion. When you hear the moment he knew, you’ll understand exactly why he’s been able to persevere and achieve the extraordinary.
In this episode of About Your Mother, Connor shares the highs and lows of being an Olympic athlete in an emerging sport. He talks about how his parents’ support made his dream possible, what his accident taught him about resilience, and what life looks like after the Olympics. Trust me—you’re going to love Connor’s story, his unique perspective, and his heart.
Connor Fell in Love With BMX Racing at a Young Age
As a young kid growing up in Las Vegas, Connor tried a variety of sports, but it wasn’t until he discovered BMX racing that he fell in love with the sport. His mom saw a flyer for a BMX racing track at a local bike shop and took Connor there on a whim. It only took one time for Connor to know this was the sport for him.
When he started, BMX racing was not an Olympic sport, and it didn’t offer any scholarships, so Connor’s parents didn’t expect it to turn into anything serious. They allowed Connor to continue pursuing it as a hobby, but behind closed doors, they wondered if they should steer him in a different direction that offered more opportunities.
Luckily, BMX made its Olympic debut in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and that’s when everything changed for 15-year-old Connor. He and his parents both realized that his hobby could become more serious, so he pursued it even more intently.
Connor’s Olympic Journey: From Seventh to Gold
Connor made his Olympic debut at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, and he was a favorite for Team USA. Unfortunately, the pressure to medal put a ton on him and took the fun out of the experience. The pressure got to him, and he ended up placing seventh.
Looking back now, Connor has a ton of grace for his 19-year-old self, and he recognizes that the experience shaped who he has become as an athlete and a man.
However, at the time, Connor didn’t have that clarity, and he went through a period of depression. He felt like he let everyone down on an international stage, and he was overwhelmed by being an adult, taking on financial responsibilities, and figuring out who he was.
Four years later, Connor returned to the Olympic stage in Rio and took a gold medal, making him the first American to win a gold medal in BMX racing. His comeback was valuable to him in multiple ways:
- It felt like the ultimate way to say “thank you” to everyone who supported him, especially his parents
- It gave him the unwavering belief that he can accomplish what he puts his mind to when he works hard for it
Almost Dying on Live TV
When you Google search Connor’s name, the first thing that comes up is not that he’s an Olympic gold medal winner; it’s that he almost died on live TV.
Ahead of the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Connor competed in the Olympic semifinals to defend his gold medal for Team USA. The race was going great until a freak accident happened: another rider’s hip hit Connor’s handlebars, which caused Connor to jerk his handlebars.
This sent Connor over his handlebars and landed him headfirst in the asphalt; he was going 35 miles per hour. His injuries included broken ribs, a collapsed lung, torn ligaments in his shoulder, a tear in his bicep, and four brain bleeds. He had a traumatic brain injury and was in a coma for a week.
Connor went into full rehab mode and had to work just as hard on his recovery as he did on his Olympic training. He fought hard to fully recover and become as healthy as he is today. The experience taught Connor that he’s tough as nails and resilient. He also learned that the only secret to success, whether it’s on the track or in physical therapy, is to take action.
Life After the Olympics
Connor decided not to compete in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris and officially retired from professional BMX racing. However, he didn’t leave the sport. He became a commentator for two events in Paris and even won an Emmy for his work.
He also continues to support Team USA as a board member of USA Cycling, where he helps the next generation of racers. Another passion he’s found since retiring is giving keynote speeches.
Connor believes he’s in act two of his life, and this act is less self-focused than act one, which was all about winning. Now, his mission is to give back and pour his energy into others.
Connor’s Message of Gratitude to His Parents
As an adult looking back on his upbringing, Connor feels immense gratitude for the way he was raised. His parents never made a big deal about winning. Instead, they used the sport to instill positive traits in him, such as being a good teammate, getting good grades, and becoming a better person overall.
While his dad was a huge help on the logistical side of racing, his mom was there to support him emotionally. If he didn’t do well in a race, she was always there to listen to him and let him express his disappointment without trying to fix things for him.
How to Support Our Olympic Athletes
Team USA is one of the few teams that is not funded by its government. Other major countries our athletes compete against, such as England, Germany, and China, are fully supported by their governments.
Getting to the Olympics is costly, and many American athletes have to fundraise their way there. If you want to support our athletes, you can donate to a specific Olympic sport or the USA Olympics as a whole. Purchasing Team USA merch is also helpful.
If you have any Olympic hopeful friends, reach out and ask how you can support them. You don’t have to write a huge check; any amount of support helps.
Victory Isn’t Always the Finish Line
For an athlete to reach the top of their sport, they have succeeded. They don’t need medals to know they have won. They are the best. To get to the Olympics, you have won. So an accident or crash is not a defeat, it’s a disappointment. While it is certainly a massive letdown after a lifetime of training, that athlete is still a winner.
Connor’s accident did not define him or his career, but it gave him insight into both sides of life. The joy of finding something you excel in and achieving the highest praise. When tragedy struck, he found peace in the beauty of surviving and carving a new path, still deeply connected to what he loves.
Just imagine if Connor’s parents hadn’t leaned into his passions or believed the boy who wrote on their wall that one day he would be an Olympic champion.
The beginning of all of us starts with our parents in some ways. To Connor’s mom and dad: Bravo, for believing in that little boy with a big dream.
Resources Mentioned
Connect With the Guest
- Speaker Demo Reel: Hire Connor
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connorfields11/
- Website: connorfields.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConnorFields11/
- Instagram: instagram.com/connorfields11
