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Bummed I couldn’t make it to Sea Otter this year, so here’s some highlights from last year.

#seaotterclassic #mtb #burrito by @wesbracken

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3 months ago

Seeing Mt. Everest is cool and all, but if petting a baby cow isn’t on your Nepal bucket list, you’re doing it wrong.

🎥: @jimeedeepak @gnarlymtb.nepal

#babycow #cowsofinstagram #babyanimals #nepal taken in Nagarkot, Nepal by @wesbracken

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4 months ago

I know it’s been a while since I’ve posted, so I thought I should share an update. This wasn’t an easy thing for me to post, and it might be difficult for some to watch, but I’ve been told I should share my story. Whether or not you find it inspirational or motivational, I’m just happy you’re here. Thank you all so much for your support and for being part of this journey. I wish you nothing but the best in 2026.

#mtb #recovery #transformation #inspiration #motivation taken in San Luis Obispo, California by @wesbracken

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7 months ago

FOUR MONTHS || Exactly four months have gone by since my accident. I know it’s been a while since I’ve checked in, so here’s a quick status update.

The biggest milestone thus far occurred on July 6th, when I was given permission to begin weaning myself off of the neck brace. I’m currently in physical therapy three days a week; twice a week for my neck and once for my hands (as well as daily at home exercises). As for my hands, range of motion is pretty much back to normal, so strengthening continues to be the focus. My neck still has a long way to go. While range of motion has slightly improved, it is FAR from where it needs to be. As expected, the less I wear the neck brace, the more soreness I experience, but hopefully with enough PT that’ll go away.

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE! I recently found out that I have to undergo shoulder replacement surgery! Prior to the accident, an X-Ray determined that I have severe osteoarthritis (which is “remarkably advanced for my age”), in my shoulder. I’ve been dealing with a bad shoulder for years ( I guess 15 years of baseball, weightlifting, high impact sports, etc. will do that), but the pain has become unbearable and has made daily tasks (especially sleeping) quite difficult. I don’t have a date set quite yet, but I’m aiming for late September.

I am often asked “How are you feeling?”Physically, aside from constant shoulder pain, I’m doing pretty well. In addition to PT, I have been exercising daily; walking outside as well as doing cardio/leg /core workouts at the gym. It feels great to be moving again, but my physical limitations have led to mental struggles. I was told that I should never mountain bike again. That was beyond devastating. I continue to try and look on the bright side; I’m still alive and I’m not paralyzed. I’ve always been an all or nothing, life in the fast lane, “full send” kind of guy, so being forced to slow down has been extremely difficult for me. While it won’t be easy, I know I have to learn to accept my new limitations and find other ways to enjoy life.

[Continued in comments]… taken in San Luis Obispo, California by @wesbracken

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3 years ago

TWO MONTHS || Hard to believe that it’s been two months since my near fatal mtb crash. While I’m only in the early stages of the 12 month recovery process, my body seems to be healing well. My casts were removed and the pins were taken out of my hands on the 30th. Doc said all the bones are back in place and after a few weeks in braces, I can start PT. The neck brace is scheduled to come off on July 6th.
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P.S. THANK YOU!!!
I am continually overwhelmed by all of the support everyone has shown me since the accident. There are no words to express just how truly grateful I am for each and every one of you. I still don’t know what I did to deserve it, but I do know that I have THE BEST friends and family in the whole wide world!
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P.P.S. Special thanks to @luketyreephoto for helping me capture these images. After coming up with the concept, I knew actually pulling it off would be difficult. When I presented the idea of returning to the scene of the crash for a photoshoot, without hesitation, Luke was in. Little did we know, the hardest part of the whole thing was the constant barrage of mosquito attacks. Despite suffering the worst of those winged bastards wrath, he still nailed the shots. Hopefully my attempts at moody edits did them justice. taken in San Luis Obispo, California by @wesbracken

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3 years ago

When rain forced us to cancel our Santa Cruz mtb trip, we decided to do some camping/riding locally. While it wasn’t the SC trip all of us had eagerly anticipated, we still managed to make a pretty fun weekend out of it. So that was pretty neat. taken in El Chorro Campground by @wesbracken

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3 years ago

Life got busy and I completely spaced on posting this gem…but hey, better late than never, right? Shoutout to @fusillofoto for helping us bring this idea to life. 📸 #Grammy #bestestgrandmainthewholewideworld #twinning #bestfriends #stepbrothers #somuchroomforactivities #prestigeworldwide taken in Santa Clarita, California by @wesbracken

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3 years ago

It’s currently snowing in Mammoth, and the mountain opens in 10 days! To say the stoke is high, would be an understatement! taken in Mammoth Mountian by @wesbracken

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4 years ago

Happy heavenly birthday, Britt. We miss you so damn much down here. It’s hard to believe that six months have passed since I held your hand and said goodbye for the last time.
I wasn’t ready to let you go, and still find it truly difficult to accept the fact that you’re gone, but knowing you’re no longer in pain makes it a bit easier. The world will never be as bright without your smile, nor as cheerful without your laugh. You were one of the most beautiful souls to have ever graced this earth, and I was so very fortunate to have you in my life for as long as I did. You will always be in our thoughts and forever in our hearts, sitting next to us at every Kings and Dodgers game and singing/screaming/dancing with us during every concert. Life will never be the same without you, but I promise to live it to the absolute fullest, because you wouldn’t have it any other way. Love you, lady. by @wesbracken

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4 years ago

Proud older brother moment: Today our little sister, @maibracken, graduated from USC Gould School of Law, earning her Juris Doctor degree. It has been a long, stressful journey, but she’s now officially a Doctor of Law, and once she passes the bar, will be a full on attorney! So all those years spent arguing with her mom, dad and brothers will finally pay off! 😜 Congratulations, kid. I am truly proud of you, and even though you’re a major pain in the ass sometimes, I still love ya anyways! taken in USC Gould School of Law by @wesbracken

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4 years ago

We will be celebrating the life of Brittany Hunt on Saturday, March 5th. If you plan on attending, please RSVP via the event page (link in story) or let myself or @guywithonetattoo know directly. We’d like to get a rough head count so that we can plan accordingly. Thank you so much and hope to see you there. taken in San Luis Obispo, California by @wesbracken

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4 years ago

I guess I must have been a good boy this year, because Santa put my most favoritest human (Grammy) under the tree for me! Don’t worry, she wasn’t under there long and said she even got a nice nap in, so it was a win win. 😜 || Hope everyone had a merry Christmas! 🎁🎄 by @wesbracken

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5 years ago