What a great interview. Thank you sir. I know some of his dark side because of The Whiskey Throttle Show, and it was great to see the best of mike. He really He went from good, to bad, to good, and retired a very good man IMO. I don't think he was capable of lying. That alone, is a very honorable trait IMO. Other then "Unionizing the riders", he ended with a great "life spirit" IMO. We don't need unions against the FIM establishment. We need real free enterprise competition against the FIM establishment. I say the track owners, (That the factories pick, and we are always in competition for a race date.), and the factories run the racing. I call it, "Taking the sport back". We don't need unions, when we are the management, and the sport can grow to it's most proficiency as it is on our interests only. Doug in Michigan
Pretty heavy he passed eh? Young guy...Rest in Peace Mike Healey. I remember seeing him in like the magizines back in the 80's. That's my era. Cool you got to meet him man. I respect him and for me no judgements. Life happens, glad i came across this interview.
Only 12 comments after 3 years? Maybe we should consider rejecting the destructive policy of censorship? I say it is sad, what happened in Mike Healey's life latter life after MX retirement, and it is not usual for pro racers retiring from MX. I don't believe anybody is "born bad", but Mike took some real bad "left turns", after his great MX carreer? I see the major problem as, not knowing how to do anything to make money after racing. Racers retiring, who did not make millions to bank on, and have no other education,---are in trouble. There still is a chance there there is a family business to go back to, or a sharp guy will start a business (Travis, DrD.), but that is now rare it looks. So, they have to find another direction that is best for them, so they think, is to work for the state, Fire/Police/Media today also, etc. Good pay, good benefits, just no freedom in what you do for work,---even if some mandated tasks may be immoral. Then, down the ladder is what is left of a free market business/job at the service level; Roofs, construction, etc. Art is often looked at as a good avenue, and it could be, but usually is not to make a living from. Then, maybe with other levels I did not mention, we have the "totally lost", who allowed their life to be damaged to the point of early death, and even suicide; Brian Swink, Tyler Evans, Mike Healey. What is the answer? A 10 year career used to be considered a long career before the easier to ride 4-stroke, (which immediately extend careers in real time starting in 1998.), and my idea could have been implemented then. Now, a 20-year career is happening, and they still think with a terrible HS education. The answer is getting a productive 4-year degree ("Productive" being the operative word there), part time (they can handle 2-class a semester on the average.) while they race pro. 2 classes a semester will take 8 years if you wanted to complete it, (you may find great opportunity before completion with what you know, and will have a decision to make, from two good choices for a change in our lives.). I suggest engineering, that makes you think, the study of reality (so important today), and something productive and as free enterprise as you can love, (excluded environmental, state organized industries). So when you retire, you have a place to go, where you want to go. Here is the bottom line folks, and I have experienced it: After almost failing HS, I decided to do something with my life and started studying manufacturing (production or poverty is our choice), So I flipped burgers for 5 years while earning a 2 year degree in machine tool tech. Got better grades because I was paying for it and paide attention--for the first time. But nothing spectacular. Then, I still was not making any money, (kids in the 80's did have disposable income though. I did buy a new 86 YZ250 and a new mini truck in 86/87 while making $4.00/hr.), and a buddy of mine talked me into getting an engineering degree, so I got two of them, (very parallel, much the same classes), 4-year degrees that took me 8 years part time while working full time. By year 6, I BECAME THE SHARPEST GUY IN THE CLASS, in the later and tougher classes. So I have come to the conclusion that our brains are like our bodies. They more we exercise it, the better it gets also, and that is A WONDERFUL THING!! In fact,---it is what being human is all about. "Explorer the tings that we don't know ("rationally", very important), as it is the only way for mankind to grow. Learn the things that we find we cherish, to help insure mankind does not perish." Yea, I think about those things. Doug in Michigan What are the chances this makes it though the obvious censorship?
Great Interview!!!! Mike Healey is my idol! Great interview!
what a great interview true legend of our sport
50gilbz a part 2 will happen too
R.i.p my brother I'll miss you
Great guys Roger decoster my hero t reason I fell in love with motocross great memories stories wonderful lee mike happy days
Chris Batstone thanks Chris a part 2 will happen
Loved this interview, thank you & best of luck to the both of you!
Quality lee. Amazing rider
Thanks Wayne
What a great interview. Thank you sir. I know some of his dark side because of The Whiskey Throttle Show, and it was great to see the best of mike. He really He went from good, to bad, to good, and retired a very good man IMO. I don't think he was capable of lying. That alone, is a very honorable trait IMO.
Other then "Unionizing the riders", he ended with a great "life spirit" IMO. We don't need unions against the FIM establishment. We need real free enterprise competition against the FIM establishment. I say the track owners, (That the factories pick, and we are always in competition for a race date.), and the factories run the racing. I call it, "Taking the sport back". We don't need unions, when we are the management, and the sport can grow to it's most proficiency as it is on our interests only. Doug in Michigan
I trained with him and also cut my hair
Pretty heavy he passed eh? Young guy...Rest in Peace Mike Healey. I remember seeing him in like the magizines back in the 80's. That's my era. Cool you got to meet him man. I respect him and for me no judgements. Life happens, glad i came across this interview.
it was oss in holland, where there is the race this year
Only 12 comments after 3 years? Maybe we should consider rejecting the destructive policy of censorship?
I say it is sad, what happened in Mike Healey's life latter life after MX retirement, and it is not usual for pro racers retiring from MX. I don't believe anybody is "born bad", but Mike took some real bad "left turns", after his great MX carreer? I see the major problem as, not knowing how to do anything to make money after racing. Racers retiring, who did not make millions to bank on, and have no other education,---are in trouble. There still is a chance there there is a family business to go back to, or a sharp guy will start a business (Travis, DrD.), but that is now rare it looks. So, they have to find another direction that is best for them, so they think, is to work for the state, Fire/Police/Media today also, etc. Good pay, good benefits, just no freedom in what you do for work,---even if some mandated tasks may be immoral. Then, down the ladder is what is left of a free market business/job at the service level; Roofs, construction, etc. Art is often looked at as a good avenue, and it could be, but usually is not to make a living from. Then, maybe with other levels I did not mention, we have the "totally lost", who allowed their life to be damaged to the point of early death, and even suicide; Brian Swink, Tyler Evans, Mike Healey.
What is the answer? A 10 year career used to be considered a long career before the easier to ride 4-stroke, (which immediately extend careers in real time starting in 1998.), and my idea could have been implemented then. Now, a 20-year career is happening, and they still think with a terrible HS education. The answer is getting a productive 4-year degree ("Productive" being the operative word there), part time (they can handle 2-class a semester on the average.) while they race pro. 2 classes a semester will take 8 years if you wanted to complete it, (you may find great opportunity before completion with what you know, and will have a decision to make, from two good choices for a change in our lives.).
I suggest engineering, that makes you think, the study of reality (so important today), and something productive and as free enterprise as you can love, (excluded environmental, state organized industries). So when you retire, you have a place to go, where you want to go.
Here is the bottom line folks, and I have experienced it: After almost failing HS, I decided to do something with my life and started studying manufacturing (production or poverty is our choice), So I flipped burgers for 5 years while earning a 2 year degree in machine tool tech. Got better grades because I was paying for it and paide attention--for the first time. But nothing spectacular. Then, I still was not making any money, (kids in the 80's did have disposable income though. I did buy a new 86 YZ250 and a new mini truck in 86/87 while making $4.00/hr.), and a buddy of mine talked me into getting an engineering degree, so I got two of them, (very parallel, much the same classes), 4-year degrees that took me 8 years part time while working full time. By year 6, I BECAME THE SHARPEST GUY IN THE CLASS, in the later and tougher classes.
So I have come to the conclusion that our brains are like our bodies. They more we exercise it, the better it gets also, and that is A WONDERFUL THING!! In fact,---it is what being human is all about. "Explorer the tings that we don't know ("rationally", very important), as it is the only way for mankind to grow. Learn the things that we find we cherish, to help insure mankind does not perish." Yea, I think about those things. Doug in Michigan
What are the chances this makes it though the obvious censorship?
Darn, I forgot,and very sorry to all.
RIP Mike Healey. It was a pleasure and inspiration to know/see you at your best.