The Life Cycle of Corey Martinez

by E. Cameron Reeder

You’d never know from talking to this dark-haired young man in the simplicity of his elegantly decorated home in Decatur, Alabama, that he is a celebrity. Corey Martinez is arguably one of the best BMX cyclists in the world. If you Google his name, you will find more than 600 matches. Granted, not all about him, but a vast majority are. A video montage of the thin, bearded acrobat set to Spanish acoustic guitar is a marvel that has made it’s way into many of these sites in a variety of languages.

Commenting on the video, one blogger writes, "I’ve seen a lot of extreme sports, but some of this guy’s tricks are mind boggling. He rides a bike better than I do everyday tasks such as eating, walking and breathing."

Of course the analogy is tongue in cheek, but the BMX magician does make his tricks look as effortless as breathing. And, miraculously, he has never received a serious injury, despite the gravity-defying tricks off walls and down handrails and over dumpsters.

As we speak, Corey is comfortably dressed in jeans and tee, and his lovely wife Rachelle is at his side quietly slicing an apple. There are no posters of his feats on the walls, no bike parts littering the living room. He is actually more interested in showing me photos of the Labradoodle (Labrador and Standard Poodle mix) that he Rachelle just bought. The giant curly haired canine is beautiful, graceful and very unusual, words that also describe Corey’s performance on his bike. It’s ironic, because growing up as a kid in this north Alabama town, no one, especially Corey, had any aspirations about becoming a professional biker. It was always just a fun and rewarding past time.

His interest in trick riding started when he was about 12. As a kid, he and buddy Seth Kimbrough, also a pro biker, cruised the local parking lots looking for things to jump. Corey and Seth began to attend contests together, not to win, but to have access to better facilities to build their skills.

"Contests were a chance to learn," Corey says. "It just grew from there."

Over the years, he would also have a chance to learn about the Savior and grow spiritually. Corey confesses that he knew almost nothing about Christianity or the person of Jesus. He only knew that church was a place where people went on Sundays. But then something happened that altered his perception of the faith. He began to attend church with Seth’s family. He noticed something vastly different from what he had come to expect. He really enjoyed the contemporary music and the preaching style of local pastor Charley Cain. After attending a program called "The Whip, Hammer and Cross"at nearby Calvary Assembly of God in 1996, he responded to the invitation to surrendered his life to God.

As his relationship with Christ matured, it seemed that there was no limit to what he could accomplish in the extreme sport. In 2000, he competed in contests as an amateur. But a year later, he was riding professionally. The skills that he gained over the years would now allow him to set the bar higher for the rest of the field.

And although his reputation grew, he never forgot the most important thing–sharing the love of God in Jesus Christ. Christian stickers adorned his helmets and bikes, and questions about faith and Jesus began to come up more and more often among his peers and fans.

"When we went to contests, witnessing was what it was all about," beams Corey. " That’s all we wanted to do. That’s why I believe that it fell into place for Seth and me."

Later, the rewards of sponsorship, (like shoes, equipment and travel expenses) convinced the young Martinez that the hopes of salaried sponsorship were indeed attainable.

"I never had the intention of being a pro BMX rider," Corey says. "I never thought I would make a living riding a bike. But then it became like, ‘Hey, this may work out.’ I had the favor of God. All the right doors opened at the right time."

And what a door! Corey was given a unique ministry on two wheels instead of a pulpit with a ready-made congregation around the world hanging on his every word. In spite of this, he doesn’t see himself as a preacher. To quote a song, he is just a ‘hungry beggar telling others where he has found some food’. He occasionally speaks before his youth group but finds it a little unsettling. But when he is competing at a contest or producing spectacular BMX film footage, it is just natural for him to share his enthusiasm for Christ with anyone around. In spite of his relative reluctance to preach, he agreed to speak at a youth meeting a few weeks ago in which five teens came forward to pray for salvation.

"Corey is the living example of what happens to anyone who loves Jesus and obeys the Word of God," said Corey’s pastor Charley Cain. "Corey came from nowhere and perfected the gift that God gave him. He hasn’t strayed from the path of righteousness or compromised his relationship with God to become rich or famous. In doing so, he gives honor and glory to God, and God has promoted him."

According to Pastor Cain, Corey is the real deal in a world filled with counterfeits. "He is a joy and an inspiration to me because with Corey, what you see is what you get," he says. "His quiet example speaks loudly to the youth who watch him compete and walk through life. His BMX skills open doors into the world that reach people that would not be reached otherwise. He is one of the few of us that truly is fulfilling the great commission of Christ. And when he rides that bike, like Chariots of Fire, you can feel the Father's pleasure."

As I spoke with Corey, I had to agree with Charley. It suddenly began to dawn on me why this young guy is so popular. Even at 44, I would love to be able to do what he does! What a rush!

You’d think that with all he has going for him, he would be a huge egomaniac. He is anything but. His gentle and humble demeanor speak volumes and reinforce the old adage about letting your actions and not your mouth do the talking.

Last year, Corey’s life took a new turn when he and Rachelle tied the knot. The picture perfect couple met many years ago as teens at the Hartselle church where they now attend. Later, they courted for about two years before marrying. Following guidelines from the Joshua Harris book I Kissed Dating Goodbye, their courtship was strictly regimented. Dates were always in groups, and the first kiss was reserved for their wedding day.

Although many young women would love to be in her shoes, Rachelle is not her husband’s fan, she is his best friend. She doesn’t stand in any man’s shadow but Jesus Christ. She came to know Jesus as Savior as a child. Sadly, her Christian experience was often riddled with conflict and pain. Her parents had divorced when she was only two years old. Going back and forth between her mom and dad’s respective homes in Durango, Colorado was her constant reality. Eventually, the family was fractured further when Rachelle joined her mother in a move to be near her grandmother in Phoenix while brother Josh stayed in Colorado with dad. Soon, her mother remarried and moved yet again, this time to Alabama.

"Pat (her mother’s new husband) wanted to move back to Alabama and I didn’t like that at all," Rachelle admits. "But I went and it was the best thing that could have happened. God knows what he's doing!"

The new family unit began to attend a storefront church called the Fire Escape (a.k.a. World Harvest Outreach). Besides gaining a fuller understanding of the Christian walk, she also first met a young man there named Corey. The rest is now history.

Having lived through so much in such a short lifetime, Rachelle remains committed to conveying a message of hope to others in a non-judgmental way.

"I’m not perfect but I strive for it now and I care what I say, what I do and how people see me," she says. "I have talked with some of the people Corey rides with, as well as their girlfriends and wives. Some of them are backslidden Christians and others have no clue of what good and bad is. But I always try and find opportunities to encourage them in a good way. I pray for them. That's what I think I’m here for right now."

In addition to their ministry to the BMX community, the couple are also a source of encouragement for one another. "Corey and I have a thing where we ask one another if we have read our Bible’s today," she says. "We keep each other in check."

Corey’s current frame and forks sponsor, Federal, is based in Hastings, England. Corey and Rachelle travel there once a year or so and go sightseeing together.

"I love traveling with Corey and experiencing everything with him,"she beams. "We just have fun."

Travel is definitely part of the package. In 2004, for instance, Corey went overseas nine times to countries like Canada, England, Germany and Japan.

"That was a big travel year for me," he says.

The switch from Standard to Federal initially meant less money, but there were more important considerations for the young virtuoso. It was more important, he says, to be involved with people and companies that he felt led to be affiliated with.

"I’ve connected with him (Ian Morris, the owner of Signature Frame) and he knows where I stand," said Corey. "God has opened doors for me with this company."

Corey’s other sponsors include Primo component parts and Red Bull. He also has his own signature shoes from Orchid. On each pair is a subtle but evident Ichthus along the side with Corey’s cross logo on the insole.

His outspoken faith has not harmed his standing in the riding community. Ride BMX Magazine has voted Corey Best Street Rider in the Industry for the last two years. The nod is really an affirmation from Corey’s pro riding peers, whose votes determine the winners. Corey also travels occasionally with friends who don’t necessarily share his convictions. With these guys, Corey practices lifestyle evangelism, again unveiling his Christ through his actions and not just his words.

In a sport where 30 is considered over the hill, Corey has no real plans yet for life after BMX.

"I don’t know, I will keep biking as long as I can," he said. "I would love to be riding until my body can’t take it anymore." He does want to do something where he can use his hands. "I’ve thought about buying old houses and renovating them," he says with his infectious smile.

Corey also derives a lot of pleasure from film-making. In 2002, he began to fade away from contests to devote more time to filming his tricks.

"That’s been my heart," he says. "With filming, you can do your own thing."

Doing his thing seems to have worked really well for Corey. And like the parable of the talents, he has been faithful in small things and in large. You can bet that when and if the time comes for him to retire from the sport he so loves, there will be an equally exciting outlet provided for him to share the love of Jesus. And he will attack that cycle of life with the same zeal and enthusiasm he has shown in this one, with his partner Rachelle by his side.

E. Cameron Reeder is a free-lance writer and ordained minister who resides in Decatur, Alabama. You may contact him at uncloudyday@charter.net.

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