Interview: Greg Hill – “Contracting Bell’s Palsy Changed My Outlook on Life
BMXNEWS had Greg Hill and his GHP Partner, Rick Lehman in mind as future guests on our new “Announcers Tower” weekly interview Podcast. We received a response that, while Rick would be happy to join us, Greg was unable due to his condition.
We knew what they were talking about, since we had been following the situation since news broke on one of the forum sites back on 10/13, that Greg Hill was suffering from “Bell’s Palsy.” Later that day, Greg replied to the thread himself to confirm this was, indeed, the case, and that he had “learned a lot about Bell’s Palsy and (is) confident (he would) be back to normal real soon.”
Both Greg and BMXNEWS still wanted to do the interview, talk openly about his condition, and how it is affecting his life (in addition to the BMX-related details, of course). Since Bell’s Palsy effects the facial muscles, it is currently difficult for Greg to carry on a conversation by phone. So, we set up the interview via IM chat (which reads exactly like a magazine interview).
Here is the interview, in its entirety:
Interviewed October 23, 2009 by Mike Carruth
BMXNEWS: First, let’s cover a little GHP. How is the economy affecting things? Has 2009 been better/worse/neutral to your predictions?
Greg Hill: The economy has been tough, the government and news media have tried to spin it like were recovering. That is not true, things are hard, for everyone. GHP is a small business, we keep overhead as low as possible and that helps. Still, were doing about two-times as much business as we were last year at this time. We’re still building the brand, so every penny goes back in to building things bigger and better.
BMXNEWS: So, you’re business has doubled from 2008 to 2009? Amazing! To what do you attrribute that?
Greg Hill: I believe it’s about 90% from our support teams. We have about 25 support teams across the country and they have done really very well for us.
We have a good race program with our team and that has helped as well. We’re not flashy, were all about making great product, not gimmicks here.
BMXNEWS: And I believe you shifted how you sell your product last year too, correct? Are you still using that online sales strategy?
Greg Hill: Yup, were primarily selling consumer direct. It is really what has made GHP able to grow in a depressed economy. GHP will ultimately get to a point where we service and work with the bike shops it just takes time.
BMXNEWS: I’m sure Stumpy and Jackal having good years all around are a factor in your success too. Are both returning to the team next year?
Greg Hill: It’s weird, Stumpy and Jackal have done real well, but I think that all the pieces are much like a chain, one link is not more valuable than the other but all working together really do well.
Jackal is on board through 2010 and Stumpy’s contract is up Dec 31, 2009…We will do our best to continue to have Stumpy in our camp..He is a great guy, he’s the ultimate professional.
(Stumpy) is only 7 points behind “the machine” (Maris Strombergs), the guy everyone says cannot get beat..He’s getting beat by Stump, (who is) 10 years older as well!
BMXNEWS: Stumpy’s double last weekend (In Lancaster) must have knocked more than a few on their butts?
Greg Hill: I’m tellin you, Stump is the real deal..I have trained hundreds of riders, he’s the hardest working guy on the circuit and I know he’s doing things nobody else is doing…He’s getting better and better every week.
BMXNEWS: Have you considered picking up a Girl Pro?
Greg Hill: One day we would like to perhaps get a girl pro but were very small and it’s tough financially to do all the things we really would like to do.
BMXNEWS: Let’s turn the discussion now to the general state of BMX Racing. Do you feel the sport is going in a positive direction, a negative direction or just simply maintaining?
Greg Hill: BMX in general from what I can see is on an upswing…The Olympics really helped. When the economy turns around I believe you’ll see BMX better then ever.
BMXNEWS: WIll your team be doing any NBL next year, or is it all-ABA-all-the-time from here on?
Greg Hill: I think GHP Factory will be only doing ABA. It’s easier for us, financially. If we were located in Florida we would be hitting NBL. We support and sponsor many teams that participate in the NBL, so we try to get our product out there on both sides of the fence..
Editors Note: GHP does support at least one Girl Pro through their sponsorship of the “BMXTRUTH” team (which races predominately NBL), with Madison Pitts.
Jackal will be racing NBL next year..
BMXNEWS: Is that because he likes it, or is that strategy on your part?
Greg Hill: Kind of both, he raced the NBL Grands and won this year..That was cool.
BMXNEWS: If you had a BMX Genie that gave you three wishes to improve the sport, what would they be?
Greg Hill: Awesome question…I love that one..OK here goes
First: I would combine NBL/ABA — that would be my first move.
Second: I would hire a marketing guru, he or she would be responsible for selling BMX to Fortune 500 America.
Third: I would limit the Nationals..There would only be 15 weekends of nationals…I’d let ABA run the Nats and NBL run the local scene…
I’m out of wishes =(
BMXNEWS: Yes. LOL!
BMXNEWS: Some interesting points there. Will probably make for good discussion in the forum
Speaking of forums, you are just past two years on BMXAO, right?
Greg Hill: Yes were at 2 1/2 years now
BMXNEWS: How’s it going?
Greg Hill: It’s fun, were a mellow site, I think most of our members just read and cruise around..It’s cool..I have been posting on VBMX a lot lately, I like it there..
Mike Carruth: I’ve been glad to see you back around those parts!
BMXNEWS: Do you feel that there could ever be another BMX Action type magazine in print? Or do you feel that society, in general, has moved past the print publication thing for young folks?
Greg Hill: I believe print media is kind of dead, times have changed…They sell old information. Pics are great but the news is old— sometimes 3 months old..We live in real time now and can learn instantly what happens anywhere in the world.
BMXNEWS: We’re going to have your partner Rick Lehman on our “Announcers Tower” Podcast next week. One of the things we’ll be talking about is the new Vet team. Your name was on the list–are you making a comeback?
Greg Hill: LOL comeback…I race now and again..It’s fun. Actually we all made a deal, my partner, Rick, Trevor, our GHP TM, we were all going to race the ABA Grands…I was in, until I came down with Bell’s Palsy…Now I will be the cheerleader, LOL. (When I do return), I will be racing 41 and over expert next year. It won’t be a “comeback,” but I plan on kicking butt out there..Gonna train like it’s 1982 lol
BMXNEWS: Your condition came up in a Vintage thread last week. I think when some hear the word “Palsy” they get really scared (because they automatically think of Cerebral Palsy). Can you tell us about Bell’s Palsy?
Greg Hill: Man it is scary..I got real nervous as well..two weeks ago, I was eating lunch with my wife and half-way through, my lower gums kind of lit up– like a shock– and within 10 minutes the entire left side of my face went numb.
BMXNEWS: Did think you were having a stroke or something?
Greg Hill: No, a stroke (would be) something on the whole left side. This was just my face.
Bell’s Palsy is when the 7th cranial nerve gets injured, swells, and short circuits. Then, “boom,” half of your face does not work at all. Today is day 14 and my headache is gone, nerve movement is happening but I still cannot move my face yet. I can blink my left eye now…which is nice.
EDITOR’S NOTE: “Bell’s Palsy” is named for Scottish surgeon/anatomist Sir Charles Bell, who first described, and studied the condition, in the early 19th century. See the end of the interview for several online references you can access to learn more.
BMXNEWS: What did you do immediately after your face went numb? Did you call 911, go to emergency??
Greg Hill: I went to urgent care, and the doc asked me a few questions, then said “you have Bell’s Palsy.” I was like “ahhhh OK..What is that?”
(Since then), I have read hours of information on it and now understand it completely. Something like 80% of cases are temporary. Most people return to normal within 4-6 weeks.
BMXNEWS: Man, that is great to hear! So do you just have to let it run its course, or are their therapeutic things you can do to remedy it?
Greg Hill: There are no specific treatments–just the passage of time. There are about 10 different ways to get it, mostly from stress. I was put on anti-inflammatories, and other meds but, truly, the research shows that only time heals it up.
I am changing my outlook on life as a result of this.
BMXNEWS: How you approach stress and stuff like that?
Greg Hill: Yes…No more stress for me. I can only do what I can do, no more, no less. Then, it is what it is, lol.
Life is too short for this kind of thing. I am going to do my best, but not kill myself stressing on things.
BMXNEWS: That would seem like a big battle in itself to someone as historically intense as the GH we all know and love.
Greg Hill: LOL…Dude, tell me about it..I hate being this way but I am learning to change my outlook and the demands I place on myself.
BMXNEWS: Is it just a switch you can flip on and off, or are you training for the coping skills (yoga, and whatnot)?
Greg Hill: I have always been “switch” orientated. If I want something I simply put my mind on it and rol. I have the best counselor you can get–His name is Jesus Christ. I bring my stress to him now everyday…I should of been doing that (before now) but sometimes we feel we can handle everything ourselves.
BMXNEWS: Do you practice an organized faith? Or a “direct conversation” approach?
Greg Hill: I take it to the man..I am a Christian– we pray and speak directly to the man. I always feel him near me and have gotten out of the habit of handing it over. When I pray…meditate…I get answers and life is way easier for me.
BMXNEWS: Good to hear. Well, please keep us posted on how you’re doing. You are an icon in the sport, and one of the few who reach between the worlds of Old School and New School. There are lots of devoted fans pulling for you!
Greg Hill: Thank you so much! I want all the people to know I truly appreciate their thoughts and concerns for me. We are all a part of this great sport of BMX, a family!
BMXNEWS: So, trying to keep this text-based interview fairly brief. Any final thoughts for BMXNEWS readers?
Greg Hill: We all love BMX, it’s not about brands or ABA or NBL it’s about BMX. Let’s all be positive and make an effort to help our BMX brothers and sisters…If everyone comes together, we can grow our sport!
Also, We just signed Josh Banuelos last night to GHP…Forgot to tell you that earlier
Long live BMX!
BMXNEWS: Well said! Greg, thanks for joining us today. We look forward to seeing you terrorizing 41-Over Ex in 2010! Best of luck in all your plans, both personally and professionally.
Greg Hill: Thanks Mike
(end of interview)
Rick Lehman of GHP will be our guest on next week’s episode of Announcers Tower. Watch for it on Tuesday, October 27.
For more information on Bell’s Palsy, check out the following resources:
National Institutes of Health Bell’s Palsy Page
*The above photo was taken at the 2009 ABA So Cal Nationals, Lake Perris, CA – February 2009. Photo by MIke Carruth
