Two months prior to the season's first stop of the World Cup tour, French sbx athlete Paul-Henri De Le Rue has announced his career's end.

While the tour will lose one of its familiar face, the reason for stepping back is simple: the 31-year-old from the Pyrenees known for his fighting spirit has realised that other things have become more important for him than snowboard cross racing.

“I actually was supposed to go on till the next Olympics. But last April, I met a friend of mine whom I haven't seen for a long time, and he asked me what I was up to in my life. While talking to him, I noticed that sport wasn't my main goal anymore,” remembers Polo the life changing discussion of last spring.

In the end, family became more important than his career: “Leaving my wife and kids was always the hardest part of my job!”

In addition, the father of two also had two other professions in mind and therefore a career after the career, which he know will focus on.

“One thing is the organisation of freeride trips to the Pyrenees. Showing the Pyrenees means a lot to me. I know every little bit there, and I want to inform people about the risk in the backcountry whilst also taking them out of their comfort zone.”

While those powder trips in the mountains he loves most definitely have a close connection to what he has done over the last almost fifteen years, the other path the 82-time World Cup racer with six podium finishes to his belt has chosen, has also the roots in his competitive background, although they might not be visible on first sight.

“The other road I want to take is the one as a professional speaker. I have done quite a few conferences now which deal with emotional intelligence. I love doing this, especially as I know what I'm talking about.”

'Polo' took and interesting and smart approach to make a benefit from what he has learned over the past years as one of the world's best snowboard cross athletes.

Knowing your weaknesses and strengths is key to success!

“I was never the one most talented or best in a physical way. I always did the best I could based on my mental or emotional strength. I realised that I was able to improve my riding and my performance by pushing me with my emotions. And this is something I want to share.”

Sochi best moment

One of the best proofs for his strong will dates back to January 2014 and the weeks after De Le Rue's bad crash at the World Cup event in Vallnord, Andorra.

“I was in coma. When my wife saw me in hospital she couldn't wake me up. She was pregnant. They didn't know what had happened.

The next morning, I woke up, and I asked the doctor if I had sustained some sort of damage to the brain. When he said no, I wanted to be back to business in one month. The doctor said no way, but I proved everybody wrong, I was able to reach my goals again. To live my dream.”

Source: fis-ski.com