Overview of The Model Health Show Episode with Shawn Stevenson and Dante Young
This episode centers on the power of exposure—how getting outside your usual environment, meeting the right mentors, and seeing new possibilities can radically change the trajectory of your life. Shawn Stevenson opens with a personal reflection on how exposure to safer homes, supportive adults, and creative encouragement helped shape his future, then dives into a conversation with Dante Young, a South Central Los Angeles cyclist whose path from underground racing to elite competition shows how sport can become a vehicle for growth, identity, and opportunity.
Main Takeaways
- Exposure changes what feels possible.
- Shawn and Dante both emphasize that seeing different environments, lifestyles, and role models can reshape ambition and self-belief.
- Cycling became a life-changing pathway for Dante.
- What started as riding with friends turned into racing, sponsorships, travel, and a professional career.
- Movement is a tool for mental health.
- Dante uses long bike rides to process stress, calm his mind, and gain perspective.
- Sports are creative, not just physical.
- Dante describes criterium racing as a skill-based, highly creative discipline requiring awareness, instinct, and strategy.
- Mentorship and representation matter.
- Seeing and learning from Black cyclists and supportive older athletes helped Dante stay in the sport and grow within it.
- The goal is bigger than personal success.
- Dante wants to use his platform to get more kids, especially from underserved communities, into cycling and other forms of active exploration.
Dante Young’s Story
From South Central to Cycling
- Grew up in a rough Los Angeles environment with poverty, violence, instability, and limited examples of a different future.
- Got into cycling through friends riding fixed-gear bikes around LA.
- Initially rode for fun—going to Venice Beach, eating pizza, exploring the city—but soon discovered the underground bike racing scene.
Early Turning Point
- A close friend, Jericho, died in a cycling-related accident, which deepened Dante’s connection to the sport.
- He decided to honor his friend by racing harder and pursuing sponsorships.
- A second-place finish in Long Beach led to a contract with a bike brand, which changed his life trajectory.
Career Growth
- Progressed from finishing dead last to winning races.
- Joined teams like the Miami Blazers and Legion.
- Has now raced nearly 300 races and is sponsored by major brands.
Mentorship, Representation, and Belonging
Why Mentors Mattered
- Dante found inspiration in cyclists who looked like him, including:
- Rahsaan Bahati
- Shannon Smith
- Justin, Corey, and CJ Williams
- These cyclists helped him learn:
- racing fundamentals
- bike handling
- group positioning
- race tactics
- how to navigate contact and pressure
The Value of Community
- The underground and development scenes gave him:
- access
- belonging
- encouragement
- a pathway into a sport that often feels inaccessible
Cycling as Mental Training and Creative Expression
A Tool for Processing Stress
- Dante regularly goes on 4–6 hour rides when he needs to work through stress.
- Riding in the Santa Monica Mountains gives him solitude and perspective.
- He often gains clarity by literally “zooming out” and seeing the city from above.
Why He Calls It Creative
- Criterium racing is not just about raw strength:
- It requires reading the race in real time
- anticipating crashes
- reacting instantly
- conserving energy
- choosing lines and timing with precision
- Dante compares the mental side of racing to pattern recognition and fast decision-making.
A Sport That Builds Resilience
- Through cycling, Dante says he has learned:
- how to handle discomfort
- how to stay calm under pressure
- how to recover from mistakes
- how to apply those lessons to life outside the bike
What Criterium Racing Is
- Criterium racing is a short-course, high-speed bike race run in loops, often in city streets with barriers.
- Racers can average around 28–32 mph, with top speeds near 45 mph.
- Events are often spectator-friendly, with music, vendors, food, kids’ races, and a community atmosphere.
- Dante highlights that the sport is:
- exciting
- accessible
- culturally rich
- underappreciated
The Bigger Goal: Impact, Not Just Titles
- Dante wants to compete at the highest level, including the Olympics, but says his deeper motivation is:
- helping others enter the sport
- creating more exposure for underprivileged kids
- showing that cycling can open doors
- Shawn echoes this theme by stressing that everyone can become a source of exposure and encouragement for the next generation.
Notable Insights
- “The power of exposure” is the core message of the episode.
- Dante’s journey shows that even a small opening—like a friend’s bike ride or a teacher publishing a poem—can alter a life.
- Shawn and Dante both frame success less as status or money and more as:
- freedom
- health
- community
- purpose
- the ability to inspire others
Practical Takeaways
- Get outside your normal environment more often.
- Introduce young people to new experiences, especially sports, art, and travel.
- Seek mentors and examples that reflect your aspirations.
- Use movement—walking, biking, running, sport—as a way to process stress.
- Remember that progress often begins with one small exposure or one person believing in you.
Connect with Dante Young
- Instagram:
@danteyoung__ - He also mentioned working on YouTube and content projects to share more of his journey and cycling culture.