Each month we will feature a PanicRev.org Forum member here on the PanicRev Ministries website. Sign up, join in on the conversation and community--next month's Forum Member Profile could be you!!!

First off I would like to say I hope you all had a great Christmas and a Happy New Years. With this marking the second year that I have been writing this column, I decided to do something a little different for this month's Forum Member Profile. I thought it would be fun to let everyone know a little bit more about myself. I asked my good friend John Martens to help me out by conducting an interview with me. We had a lot of fun doing the interview and I hope you all enjoy reading it!

PRev: What is your name?
JL: Juan Carlos Laredo

PRev: Why is your username zeppelinrider25?
JL: Ever since 7th grade my favorite band has been Led Zeppelin. Rider, well, that's what I do, sometimes. As for the number, I actually wanted to be #26 because that's the number my dad had when he raced, but he didn't want me to have the same number as him, so I just subtracted 1 and you have 25.

PRev: Where are you from?
JL: Chino Hills, California. It's the city next to Corona also known as motocross Mecca.

PRev: When is your birthday?
JL: January 13, 1988

PRev: So how long you been into the whole motocross scene?
JL: I've only been riding since 2004. I started on an 80, and then few months later got a CR 125. I didn't start riding tracks until early 2005 when Scott invited me to ride day that Five8 Mx was having.

PRev: Prior to MX, what kept your interest?
JL: Skateboarding was my whole life. I had some small time sponsors. I would skate from the time I got out of school until about 8 or 9 at night everyday!

PRev: When, and how did you discover PanicRev Ministries?
JL: In about December of 2004, I was lurking on ProRided and I accidentally clicked on Scott's signature and found the PanicRev website. I had seen the signature several times before, but I never knew that he had a ministry going on. I'm sure it was all part of Gods plan!

PRev: How was your life before PanicRev?
JL: It was actually, well ... pretty horrible. I wasn't on God's path, in fact I was far from it. I had stopped going to church. The kids I hung out with were all druggies and some where even drug dealers. My grades were suffering horribly as well. At the time I just wanted to be part of something and not be some loner kid. There is a lot of peer pressure in high school, and some people want to fit in so bad that they will do anything. I wouldn't go as far as to say I was one of those people that would do absolutly anything to fit in. I didn't really care about being cool; I just didn't wanna be alone. Then my girlfriend and I started dating, we were getting pretty serious. At that time I didn't feel all that lonely; however, I would still fall back into a pattern of hanging around the wrong kind of people. During this time God wasn't even anywhere on my mind, and I just wanted to do my own thing. God is awesome though. It was right about this time that I accidently found PanicRev's website. I never thought there would ever be such a thing, motocross and God. Immediately after finding the website a fire in my heart lit up again. I wanted to go to church; I wanted God.

For a long time I knew that I didn't want be alone, but I learned that though He wasn't there physically, that I was never alone because God was always with me. I didn't need to feel alone because I wasn't. Scott and John were awesome people who accepted me right away, even with my long hippie hair and, at the time, some foul language. I finally felt part of something, and most importantly it was something for God.

PRev: So, do you have anything to say about your “significant other?”
JL: Well, she's actually started to ride too, so now we get to ride together a bit. Aytime with her is always fun. She still doesn't get out of 2nd gear, but she can max out 1st and 2nd gear [laughter].

PRev: What were her first thoughts about motocross, was she aware of the risks involved?
JL: I think she didn't quite understand at first how fast and jumpy it can be. Now she's definitely aware of the risk. At my race at Glen Helen in October, she kept telling me not to race cause I could get hurt. I went out and on the first lap high-sided on a straight. I banged my head pretty good, bruised my pelvis and thigh, and bent my exhaust. She got to see me behind an ambulance for the first time.

PRev: Since you're now considered an “adult,” what are your plans for a long term career?
JL: Well, in eight days I start college. I hope to get my Associates degree in Law Enforcement at Mt. San Antonio College. After that I plan on going into the army, doing my time, and then start my law enforcement career. Beyond that, once I retire, I would like to go to college again and study law and maybe become a lawyer.

PRev: Back to MX, so tell us about your ride.
JL: Tthis past June I got a 2006 crf250 as my graduation present. It's as stock as can be other than some suspension stuff. I think the bike has enough power for me, though I would love one of those boyeson quickshot accelerator pump covers for my birthday ::hint hint::!

PRev: What are your first thoughts concerning the amount of amateurs pursuing a future career in racing?
JL: I think it's crazy. I believe a lot of them forget what it should be all about; they should be out there having fun. Some of these kids are out there getting hurt and risking their lives to win a piece of metal. I understand it's their dream and goal, but they also need to think ahead.

PRev: What motivates you to race?
JL: I think my biggest motivation has been when I get into small battles for a position. It pumps me up so much and it makes me have more fun. In the end you know you gave it your best and the best man won.

PRev: What word would you say best describes your riding style?
JL: Definitely Goon. At corners I'm not so bad, but I absolutely have no style in the air or on the straights.

PRev: What rider do you admire the most?
JL: That's a tough one, but I'd have to say Ricky Carmichael. The guy is definitely not the most skilled rider in the world, but he goes to show that if you have the will and heart to put your all into something, you can achieve your greatest goals. There are a lot of people there with the skill to be something, just not the heart and commitment.

PRev: Tell us about your walk with Christ. What do you see beneficial about PanicRev, and what we are doing?
JL: My walk with God: just like every Christians, it is definitely a roller coaster. There's always going to be tough times when the devil is tempting us, but with God's help I stay strong and on His path. PanicRev is an awesome ministry, I only wish I could do more for them. If you know much about motocross, you know that you sometimes face the decision of riding/racing or God. With PanicRev you don't have to make that decision and you don't have to miss out on church or Christian gatherings because you're out racing.

PRev: Are there any special people or sponsors that you would like to thank or give a shout out too?
JL: First I'd like to thank my fans, because without them none of this would be possible ... [laugher] Just kidding.

I would like to thank my parents because I know at times I haven't been the best son. I'd also like to thank Scott, John, and Troy for letting me be part of this awesome ministry, and always being there for me. There's also all the other PanicRev squad, who are always there to lend a hand; you guys know who you are. I'd like to thank my girlfriend for staying strong through the tough times, and lastly our awesome Lord Jesus Christ.

PRev: If you had a chance to spend the day with a member of the PanicRev crew, who would it be and why?
JL: I would probably pick John Martens, because he's like a younger/taller/whiter brother of mine. We've only hung out like 2 or 3 times, but I still think of him as my good friend. That or Don, so we can talk about history or maybe I would take him to a USC football game so he can see what it's like to watch a championship team play! [inside joke, Don is a die-hard Nebraska fan].

PRev: Are there any last thoughts running through your mind?
JL: I'd like to thank you for taking your time to do this for me. I hope since I usually write these and people learn and read about other people, that they will enjoy reading and learning new things about me. And lastly I'd like to ask you guys to please pray for the Davis Family. Some of you may have heard what happened to Chris, for those of you who didn't, he suffered a heart attack on Thursday December 28. He was a great person and an even better friend. We will miss you Chris. GODSPEED