Goose bumps. I have actual goosebumps running up and down my body after watching this incredible video from Monster Energy about Colby Stevenson’s road to recovery. Stevenson suffered a serious brain injury in a car accident back in 2016. Just 8 months later he won his first World Cup event, and won 2 X Games Gold Medals in 2020.
The short film below was created by Clayton Vila. I thoroughly enjoyed how he told Colby’s story through excellent cinematography and reenactment’s of the events that unfolded. We need more storytelling like this in the skiing and snowboarding communities!
Stevenson is competing in Big Air and Slopestyle at the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing.
Colby Stevenson’s Instagram: @colby_stevenson
Clayton Vila’s Instagram: @claytonvila
“Nerve’ is a true story about 24-year-old U.S. Freeski Team rider Colby Stevenson from Park City, Utah, overcoming traumatic brain injury and rehabilitation after a near-career ending car crash in 2016. The gifted skier suffered multiple skull fractures in the crash and doctors had little hope for a full recovery, let alone freestyle skiing on a professional level. Over the coming months, Stevenson endured vertigo and memory problems, but showed the will to power through the ordeal. “My whole dream, everything was over. I might not ever be the same again, but I always had hope,” said Stevenson, who prevailed to make X Games history and win two 2020/21 FIS Freeski Crystal Globes, in the new documentary. “Before the crash, I did not see how lucky I was. Once it was all taken away, I started seeing the beauty in the little things. I started to be grateful.” Produced by Monster Energy, “Nerve” was written and directed by professional freeski athlete and filmmaker Clayton Vila.