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I’m Aja Evans and I push a sled on ice very fast… How can something so hot be so cold? AMA!
I’m a bobsledder for Team USA (yes, like “Cool Runnings”) and my name is pronounced “Asia” like the continent (and 9 times out of 10 if you’re a Steely Dan fan then you already knew that). I’m from the Southside of Chicago and in my spare time I enjoy documentaries on Bigfoot, aliens, and #SharkWeek in July. I come from a super athletic family; from my brother who played 8 years in the NFL to my uncle Gary Matthews who goes by “Sarge” in the MLB. I‘m currently in Calgary, Canada gearing up for Team Selections for the upcoming Olympic Year. I won a shiny Bronze Medal in the 2014 Winter Olympics, and I’m trying to upgrade that to GOLD in 2018 in Pyeongchang. AMA!
AjaLEvans122 karma
I was a little let down... I thought I was going to witness a live "Jaws" scene lol
AjaLEvans74 karma
haha that's a legit question, I definitely think we could give a good run for its money! Depending on the track we can reach speeds at over 90 mph!
Alexjessa02030825 karma
Hey Aja! Thanks for doing this AMA. Were you close with Steve? How is everyone at Bobsled doing? Sending the whole team condolences.
AjaLEvans24 karma
Thank you for that <3 We were all one big family, and will forever be #TeamHolcomb .... Everyone is doing well, we are currently in Calgary, Canada preparing for Push Championships! :)
AjaLEvans47 karma
My collegiate coach introduced me to the idea. During my senior year at Univ of Ill., he told me about the sport and how they look for powerhouse athletes from all different sports. Because I threw shot put and sprinted in college, I had such a unique combo that transferred well into the sport. About a year and a half after graduating I went and tried out for the team! And ended up being pretty good :)
Alexjessa02030820 karma
Also, curious, how much do you need to work out to be a bobsledder? Mostly running?
AjaLEvans80 karma
The off-season is where we build all of our power, strength, and speed for the sport. We do a lot of speed training, but we also do a lot of lifting. All bobsledders have big butts because we squat so much lol "Ass moves mass" :)
AjaLEvans27 karma
It's definitely in my top 10... lol and that was before i did the sport!
AjaLEvans17 karma
Yes, I have two favorites.... my favorite home track is Lake Placid, NY even though it's arguably one of the roughest in the world... I've done some pretty serious damage there, and it's always fun to race in front of the home crowd!
My favorite European track is in St. Moritz, Switzerland... It's gorgeous and the only "natural track" on tour. All the other track on tour have a refrigeration system that keeps the ice together. In St. Mortiz, they literally build the track up every year, and we usually race there when it's reallyyyyyy cold outside.
chefr8913 karma
How much support do you get participating in a sport that mostly only gets attention once every four years (for Americans anyways)? I think you are a phenomenal athlete and genuinely don't mean to take anything away from your accomplishments. I know ya'll work year-round and just because it's not the Winter Olympics, doesn't mean there aren't international tournaments/championships going on. I just genuinely wonder about what type of support our athletes get in some of the more 'unique' events/sports.
AjaLEvans17 karma
This is a great question! It can be tough because as you said, most Olympic sports are only popular every four years... I get a lot of support though from friends, family, and people all across the world. They connect with me on more than just an Olympic level... I feel like my story and where I'm from speaks volumes and people relate to that grind and accomplishing your goals and wildest dreams, rather than just the "Olympics"
AjaLEvans36 karma
But really, we just try and relax and stay calm until we past the finish line and then pull the brakes
AjaLEvans10 karma
Yes! The best I know! I'm still trying to get my hands on his banana pancake recipe
Sycou6 karma
How often do people make Cool Runnings jokes and how do you respond to them? Also if you had to put together a Bobsled team consisting only of fictional monsters and characters what would your team be ?
AjaLEvans9 karma
I get "Cool Runnings" jokes 9/10 times people ask me question about what I do haha.. But it's all fun, I think it's cool that they even know that much about the sport. And if I had to put together a bobsled team with only fictional characters and monsters I would have Batman as the driver and Bigfoot on brakes... think about it... they still have caught big foot yet lol
Came_to_name_a_puppy5 karma
Cubs or White Sox? Ketchup on a Hotdog or Not? How do you even find bobsledding as a child to start learning?
AjaLEvans17 karma
I was born into the CUBS family. My uncle is Gary "Sarge" Matthews who played and coached for the Cubs. As kids, my sis and I went to all the Cubs games and Cubs conventions.
I gotta be one of the few from Chicago who doesn't like Chicago style hotdogs haha just Ketchup please!
My collegiate coach introduced me to the idea of doing bobsled. During my senior year at Univ of Ill., he told me about the sport and how they look for powerhouse athletes from all different sports. Because I threw shot put and sprinted in college, I had such a unique combo that transferred well into the sport. About a year and a half after graduating I went and tried out for the team! And ended up being pretty good..
AjaLEvans5 karma
Most people in the sport started after their collegiate careers. So the age range is typically early 20s to mid/late 30s depending on your position. Drivers typically tend to have more longevity in the sport.
pyramidsofmoney4 karma
What's your favorite thing to do in Chicago? Favorite restaurant? Way to rep the city!
AjaLEvans6 karma
I loveeeee food! So dining out is definitely one of my favorite things to do in Chicago! Some of my favorite resurtants are Jellyfish, Sunda, RPM Steak, and Ja' Grill
AjaLEvans4 karma
Chilling with Olympians from all over the WORLD! Literally the best of the best, just hanging out and getting to know each other. Such a fun experience!
auntjudy3 karma
How did it feel to come back last year from major knee surgery and win. World championship?
AjaLEvans3 karma
Dealing with my ACL surgery and recovery was the hardest thing I've done in my athletic career. That process plays a lot of mind games on you and makes you realize how bad you really want it (or don't)... Coming back after ACL surgery (and a 2 year hiatus) was intimdating at first. But, once I got back going and in that environment, I quickly got back to my old self. The thing that excited me the most was how well I performed given all the circumstances. Let just say I'm pretty excited to pursue this Olympic year now that I've gotten some more time and experience under my belt!
Twowheelsquiddy3 karma
How does one train for bob during the summertime? Will y'all be running the COP bob tracks with the bobs that they have open to public or do you bring your own summer training bob? As someone who has never mustered the courage to do it even though its five minutes away from home, how does it feel the first time going down?
AjaLEvans5 karma
We come to cities like Calgary, that have an ice house so we can practice pushing the sled on ice during the summer. We also train a lot in Lake Placid, NY at the Olympic Training Center. And there we have a push track, which is basically a dry land version of our start.
My first time down the track is still so hard to explain haha. My eyes were as big as my head (and I got a big ol head) and I was so confused. Lol I didn't understand why anyone would want to do that sport. After my first trip down the track I went and called my mom and asked if I could come home lol and she told me "You better go back to the top of that hill and go again" I rolled my eyes and did it, then my third day ever on the ice my teammate and I set the start record and won team trials. So I was like... I guess I like start records and winning so I'll stick around ;)
AjaLEvans6 karma
fave food is hmmm.... everything haha. If I had to choose I would say tacos! Fave movie is probably "Bad Boys 2" lol, and my favorite song is "Never Give Up" by Yolanda Adams
scooby4143 karma
What type of build and/or fitness level does one need to be at to perform well in bobsledding? More endurance or power based?
AjaLEvans5 karma
It's definitely more of a power based sport! We have to push a 300+ lb sled as fast as possible for roughly 30-40m... You need a lot of power and speed
notuntilfour_3 karma
Hi Aja! What is your favorite memory of your career, while competing or otherwise?
AjaLEvans5 karma
One of my favorite memories of my career while competing was honestly when I came through the finish line at the 2014 Olympic Games. It wasn't because we won a medal, it was more so I was glad it was over! haha so much went into that very moment, and we we passed the finish line and I saw my entire family there cheering and celebrating our medal it was the biggest breath of fresh air!!!
AjaLEvans12 karma
Yeah no way I would do skele or luge, haha I'm not that adventurous... I think bobsled allows for me to use my skills and assets the best.
Unuhpropriate2 karma
Aja, who wins in a sprint, you or Jesse Lumsden?
Us Canadians are born running on ice, how does he fair on a track?
ClaptrapPaddywhack2 karma
You did a photo shoot for the ESPN: The Body issue a few years back. How was that? What's colder, the track or that set?
AjaLEvans3 karma
That shoot was so much fun!!! I was so nervous at first but the photographers and crew were so accommodating and made me feel really comfortable. We shot it at a private airplane hanger in Connecticut, it was super cool!
AjaLEvans2 karma
When I went to the 2014 Winter Olympics I had the pleasure of witnessing so many cool events live! A few of my favorites were speedskating, ski moguls, snowboarding, ski jumps, ice hockey, and figure skating
iGoalie1 karma
How can I sign up to be the 2nd or 3rd man in the 4 man bobsled team? #lifeGoals "I want to be an Olympic Passenger" - Mitch Hedberg
Do the 2nd and 3rd people actually do anything after the initial push or are the literally just along for the ride?
AjaLEvans2 karma
Lol they actually do passenger rides at both of the US tracks. So they'll take you down the track in a 4man sled in Lake Placid, NY or Park City, UT. You should try it!
And every position matters. In 4man, they have to stay relaxed and as aerodynamic as possible so they have to maintain a certain posture and stay in unison with the movements of the sled.
AjaLEvans1 karma
Definitely! That shoot was so much fun! And one of my most comfortable shoots
AjaLEvans2 karma
I love it here! I have some friends that play for the stampeders so they've been showing us around town! It's definitely a gorgeous city, and I had the pleasure of visiting Banff and it's absolutely breathtaking!
AjaLEvans2 karma
In my downtime I like to chill and binge watch so Netflix shows... I also like to get out and try some of the restaurants in town! I'm going to the Stampeders game this weekend too!
AjaLEvans3 karma
I'm a avid South Sider but when it comes to baseball I gotta rep the Cubs! That's family, my uncle coached and played for the Cubs as well as my cousin
AjaLEvans1 karma
After the Olympics I threw the first pitch on Opening Day at the White Sox game!
AjaLEvans1 karma
Hmmmm... definitely somewhere tropical after all this winter weather I deal with during the season. Maldives and Bora Bora are in my list, I'm in love with those gut style resorts right on the water! Any recommendations?
shityouthguydoes1 karma
Hey Aja, welcome back to Calgary! Did you get to go to stampede? #yahoo
shityouthguydoes1 karma
Sorry you missed it! Plenty to enjoy in Calgary year round though. Good luck!
AjaLEvans2 karma
Only if it's the exact one from "Cool Runnings" wait... that's a bit old, never mind
UnkleAdamsBro1 karma
Why don't bobsleighs have wheels? Wouldn't they go much faster if they did?
AjaLEvans2 karma
We race on ice, I think the runners (blades) allow for more control on the ice
BartlettMagic1 karma
you sound supercool and you're super cute. how do you keep a balance between the rigorous training you have to maintain your skills, and a dating/personal life?
i can imagine you have plenty of guys/girls fawning over you, but how many of them are willing to commit to a relationship with a pro athlete that has a crazy intense practice regimen/schedule/gone for long periods of time?
edit: if you're already married, just translate the question to how your SO/kids/etc deals with your schedule?
AjaLEvans6 karma
Haha I'm not married.. and it can be a tough balance. During the season we're gone for months at a time and in the off season we balance training and we'll as even full time jobs. So sometimes our schedules don't leave much room for the dating/personal life but so many people make it work! So many of my teammates are happily married (with children) and don't skip a beat! I'm single so it makes it a little easier for me, but I'm also dating and open to building a relationship. Our schedule and what we do can be a bit intense but there are people that love, support, and understands the demands of our sport and what it takes to accomplish our dreams.
BartlettMagic2 karma
that's very good to hear. it's always good to know that our athletes have a working balance going in their pro/private lives. good luck on both fronts, i'll be rooting for you!!
sonofabutch1 karma
Wait, there's also an actress named Aja Evans? Or are you also an actress?
AjaLEvans2 karma
Goofy! My teammates are hilarious! We joke and laugh nonstop and it makes for great company when we're on tour and away from home for so long.
RofloOlfor0 karma
How psyched are you that the Cubs won the World Series? Question 2: are you single? 👀
AjaLEvans3 karma
1) Super psyched! I was in Utah at the time, with the team so we watched the entire series together! Also, my dream after the Olympics is to throw the first pitch at Opening Day for the Cubs!
2) yes, haha
ShadyPachyderm0 karma
I heard there are tons of hookups in the Olympic villages. Makes sense given everyone is similar age and utterly fit. What's the craziest thing you've heard about or seen?
United_Hairlines0 karma
Does your milkshake bring all the boys to the yard?
Proof positive that it does. http://i.imgur.com/ZWvStNb.jpg
In all seriousness, what is your typical workout routine? How much do you squat/deadlift?
AjaLEvans1 karma
hahaha... My typical workouts include lots of squats and deadlifts, as well as plyos, and speed training. I love box jumps! And my max single rep squat is prob 405, and my max single rep deadlift is around 357lbs
rsltx119 karma
How do you feel about Michael Phelps not racing a real shark?
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