What We Were Building for in 2022

Planet Earth has crossed the finish line on another lap around the solar track. For many of us, it went by in a record-breaking blink. For others, perhaps it dragged on like LA traffic. Either way, the New Year is an important time for everyone.

Brimming with possibility and promise, January brings us all the gift of a fresh start. A blank page. A new chapter. It’s a time to reflect on how far we’ve come in 365 short days. A time to celebrate our progress, assess our potential, and commit to our goals.

It’s a time to ask: What are you building for?

Our core driving question. We ask it of everyone we interview for our blog. Join us as we look back on a few of the builders, racers, and adventurers we spoke with in 2022, revisiting how they answered the classic BFGoodrich^Ⓡ Tires query.

Photo Credits to Elliot Ross and Josh Martin

Josh Martin: Surfboard Shaper and Overlander

Starting the year off strong, we spoke with Josh Martin about the art and craft of shaping surfboards. It’s a skill set passed down to Josh by his father, and he’s made it a part of his mission in life to pass those skills down to the next generation. When he’s not in his workshop transforming foam and epoxy into surfboards, you can find Josh overlanding in his custom hand built camper down in Baja. Chasing down what all surfers are building for: their next perfect wave.

What was Josh building for in 2022? The rich life. Not rich in money, but in unforgettable experiences. Read Josh’s full story here.

Photo Credits to Morgan Sjogren, Stephen Eginoire, and Jay Kolsch

Morgan Sjogren: Adventure Writer and Overlander

This spring, we shared the epic tale of Morgan Sjogren’s life on the road camping out of her Jeep. In her years of overlanding, free running, camp cooking, and travel writing her way through the American southwest, Morgan has cultivated a relationship with the desert unlike any other. Canyon country is much more than Morgan’s home. It’s her muse.

What was Morgan building for in 2022? For more of the adventurous life that she has built for herself. A life that she looks forward to waking up to every single day. Read Morgan’s full story here.

RJ Anderson: Off-Road Racer and Architect of Fun

This July, we spoke to RJ about work-life balance as a rising off-road racing star and how his approach to fun isn’t so different from his approach to racing. In both endeavors, RJ gives 110%. Behind the wheel, on the Colorado river at his family’s vacation home, and in the garage reimagining a 1966 Chevy pickup, RJ thinks outside the box — pushing limits, taking calculated risks, and encouraging everyone around him to do the same.

What was RJ building for in 2022? Progress. Both his, and that of his friends and family. Read RJ’s full story here.

Photo Credit to Rob Doerr

Rob Doerr: Car Enthusiast and Veteran

Later on this summer, we interviewed Rob about his passion for Land Rovers — a fascination that began when he was overseas serving in Desert Storm. When we spoke with him, Rob was getting ready to sell a special one: a 1991 Land Rover D90 that he had carefully restored to nearly mint condition. He imported the body — the cleanest he’d ever seen — from Italy during the pandemic. Letting a special build go is always a bit painful, but Rob was looking forward to fully focusing on his next project: a Land Rover Defender 110.

What was Rob building for in 2022? The therapeutic fun that working on cars brings him. Read Rob’s full story here.

Photo Credits to Preston Murray and Erica Sacks

Erica Sacks: Off-Road Navigator and Teacher

Heading into Baja 1000 season, Erica Sacks let us hop in the passenger seat as she taught us how to co-drive like a pro. As a competitive navigator and a widely-respected teacher in the off-road racing space, Erica is laser-focused on being the coolest, calmest, most collected passenger possible. Her goal is to intimately get to know her driver or her student, carefully studying their style, strengths, and weaknesses. Her philosophy is to support her teammates by meeting them right where they are.

What was Erica building for in 2022? For the future of off-road racing. And her role in keeping its barriers to entry as low as possible for women and girls. Read Erica’s full story here.

Photo Credits to Isaac Neale, Aaron Davis, Keaton Rowe, and J.J. Gustafson

J.J. Gustafson: Hunter and Passion-Chaser

During peak duck season this autumn, J.J Gustafson sat down to talk with us about his life on the road with Reign, his remarkably intelligent hunting dog. Traveling the country together on their way to America’s many hunting opportunities, J.J. and Reign have built a life of cooperative adventure. As travel companions, best friends, and partners-in-sport, J.J. and Reign have thoughtfully trained one another how to be their best selves.

What was J.J. building for in 2022? A life brimming with passion. Passion that runs deeper than just fun or sport. Passion that gets down to the soul. Read J.J.’s full story here.

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What We Were Building for in 2022 | Josh Martin: Surfboard Shaper and Overlander

What We Were Building for in 2022 | Morgan Sjogren: Adventure Writer and Overlander

What We Were Building for in 2022 | RJ Anderson: Off-Road Racer and Architect of Fun

What We Were Building for in 2022 | Rob Doerr: Car Enthusiast and Veteran

What We Were Building for in 2022 | Erica Sacks: Off-Road Navigator and Teacher

What We Were Building for in 2022 | J.J. Gustafson: Hunter and Passion-Chaser

2021: A Year of Building

Building for the Future

Building a Racing Legacy