by Jen Myers, Lowell Public Schools

There are a few simple things to remember to get where you want to be in life – be prepared, be polite, and earn respect.

That was the message stunt bike champion Chris Poulos delivered to Sullivan Middle School students last week between popping wheelies, “surfing” on his bike, and launching his bike over a trio of nervous teachers.

Poulos, who grew up in Rhode Island, has competed in 413 bicycle stunt competitions and won 85 (including the 1991 Bicycle Stunt World Championship in Denmark).

He has performed at more than 600 NBA games and visited more than 5,000 schools. He started doing stunts on his bike at age 6. Today, at 51-years-old he makes a living doing stunts on his bike and talking to kids – he is living the dream.

His appearance at the Sullivan was a treat for the school’s quarter 2 scholars. He gave them a lot of thrills, but also a lot to reflect upon.

Poulos explained that he got to where he is today by practicing a ton, but also by being polite, treating people better than he wants them to treat him, and earning respect.

“If someone respects you, they trust you, they want to be around you, they want to be your friend,” he said. Being polite is the easiest way to earn respect. I don’t have time for mean people in my world.”

He made a lot of friends and connections by being nice and treating others with respect and those relationships have led to many professional opportunities he otherwise may never have been given. Networking and relationship building is a key part of success in any industry.

But, once you are given those opportunities, it is up to you to be successful and the most important step in that journey is to be prepared.

When he is competing, he brings two stunt bikes, just in case. He wears a skate helmet rather than a bike helmet because it provides more protection and always wears shin guards.

“I’m not going to lose a competition because I wasn’t prepared,” Poulos said.