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Olympic skier and filmmaker Bobby Brown encouraged Leeds students to embrace patience, harness pressure and trust their own ideas.

Angie Vermillion, associate director of Employer Relations at Leeds, spoke with Bobby Brown about the lessons learned throughout his award-winning career.

It seemed surprising coming from an eight-time X Games medalist and international freeskiing champion, but one of the first things told a roomful of Leeds students was simple: “Slow down.”

Brown visited Leeds as a spokesperson for Red Bull, kicking off an ideation session for the 2026 , a competition for innovative ideas that make an impact. Brown has spent his career bringing ambitious ideas to life, including becoming the first skier to land multiple variations of a triple flip.

Since shifting into filmmaking, he has produced five feature films garnering millions of viewers. The transition forced him to rethink success: turning obstacles into opportunities, overcoming self-doubt, building the right team, and staying grounded in authenticity.

A pivotal moment came in 2021, when a ski accident in Switzerland left him with a broken back. Misjudging the timing of a jump, he lost focus, shattered three vertebrae and required emergency surgery. "I wasn’t present,” he recalled. Recovery brought waves of doubt, and his desire to ski again “ebbed and flowed.”

“I was so used to skiing and doing tricks, contests, getting results … it got totally messed up. And then I found this other avenue to explore. It’s when things became more clear and I got more excited for the future.”

From that experience, Brown gained a deeper understanding of using pressure as a tool and presence as an advantage. “Everyone can feel that little bit of anxiety and pressure, but when you’re able to harness it, you can do things you never thought you could do.”

"When you’re able to harness pressure, you can do things you never thought you could do."

Bobby Brown, international freeskiing champion

Pressure can elevate performance, he said, but excitement and fun are still more powerful motivators. When enjoyment and inner calm align, he said, “your skill just goes through the roof.” Though he no longer competes, Brown still seeks to improve his craft and avoid injury—what he calls “good pressure.”

was a catalyst for his forward momentum. He wanted to fill a gap in mainstream ski competitions. Four years later, the event has grown into a hub for riders and youth—a way that Brown enjoys giving back to the community that has supported him.

Filmmaking has also taught Brown to be patient with the creative process. “Don’t let time dictate every idea,” he said, admitting he’s still learning the lesson. Some ideas click immediately, while others need time to evolve.

Throughout his career, Brown has credited the people around him. “Everything I have done has been teamwork, whether it’s a video, a contest … I can think of every single moment and there were like 25 people who made it possible.”

Sharing ideas may feel risky, he said, but it’s essential. “Find the people who listen to you and build a symbiotic relationship. Don’t underestimate the power of your contemporaries.”

Brown encouraged students to stay open to feedback and keep a beginner’s mindset. “Put yourself out there,” he said, warning that comparison is rarely productive. “You have to silence the noise,” he said. While it’s helpful to survey the landscape of ideas, he also deliberately steps back. “Give yourself a chance to have quiet so you can actually come up with the idea that’s true to you,” he advised.

“Big ideas take time,” he reminded students. “Don’t rush things. When there’s real gravity behind your ideas and products, people feel that.”

To stay balanced, Brown focuses on the basics: sleep, nutrition and meditation. Competing in the 2014 Olympics—“a crazy month of his life”— mindfulness calmed his nerves. Having a close friend on the team made all the difference. “Having his support definitely kept everyone sane.”

Turning inspiration into action

This year, Red Bull partners Microsoft and AMD are equipping students with AI tools and mentorship to bring their ideas to life. After Red Bull Basement applications close at the end of March, a small group will advance to the national final—and potentially the world final, where the global winner will receive $100,000 from Red��Bull in equity-free funding.