Axell Hodges

Who Is Axell Hodges?

Axell “Slay” Hodges is an accomplished motocross competitor renowned for his impressive achievements in the X Games, where he has earned gold medals. His dynamic athleticism and distinctive style have garnered him a substantial following on social media, particularly for his innovative and entertaining moto videos.

Early Life

Born on August 20, 1996, in Encinitas, California, Hodges was immersed in the world of motocross from a young age, influenced by his father and two older brothers, who were avid dirt bike racers. A fan of motocross champion Jeremy McGrath, Hodges began riding at the age of eight. His talent became evident when he triumphed at the prestigious Loretta Lynn’s national amateur race in 2012.

To hone his skills, Hodges constructed ramps in his backyard for practicing tricks, always mindful of maintaining a good relationship with his neighbors. “We have a couple of neighbors that are up above, and it echoes off the canyons, so they’re pretty bummed on it. We’ve been living in Encinitas for about 25 years, and everyone knows my dad from my Snapchat — he’s kind of the crazy guy who gets things done,” Hodges shared. “We put spark arrestors in the pipes, and when I hit the ramps, I try not to rev it and go complete X Games mode on everyone. I keep it mellow and ride at appropriate times of the day, usually limiting my sessions to around 30 minutes to an hour.”

In addition to motocross, Hodges has a passion for skateboarding, BMX biking, and snowboarding, all of which have significantly influenced his racing style. This diverse background is vividly showcased in his popular moto videos on YouTube.

Social Media Presence

Hodges has effectively leveraged platforms such as Snapchat, Instagram, and YouTube to establish a substantial social media following as a motocross rider. His engaging content has attracted not only dedicated motocross enthusiasts but also fans from surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding, and BMX communities.

Under the direction of his older brother, Ash (known as “Dirt Shark”), Hodges has produced a series of mini-videos featured on Monster Energy’s YouTube channel, allowing him to cultivate a distinctive brand of moto entertainment. “No one else really approaches riding this way,” Hodges comments on his multifaceted athletic style showcased in his videos. “While most are focused solely on racing or freestyle, my background in surfing, snowboarding, and skateboarding has greatly influenced my approach to motocross, making it a fun blend of activities.”

He adds, “It’s been surprising to receive positive feedback from individuals I wouldn’t have expected to connect with my content. Their enthusiasm is incredibly gratifying and reinforces my passion for what I do.”

Career Highlights and Statistics

Since his triumph at the Loretta Lynn’s National Championships, Hodges has achieved notable milestones in his career. He secured second place at the 2015 Monster Energy Cup and again at the 2016 X Games in Austin, specifically in the MTX Best Whip category. In 2017, he claimed another second-place finish at the World of X Real Moto. However, 2018 marked a significant turning point for Hodges, as he earned two first-place finishes: the MTX QuarterPipe High Jump at the X Games in Minneapolis and the MTX Real Moto at the World of X Real Moto.

Motorcycle

Hodges rides a Honda CRF 250/450.

Stunt Appearances

As an emerging talent in the motocross scene, Hodges has made appearances in stunt documentaries such as A-X-L (2018) and Ridiculousness (2019). In July 2019, while preparing for HISTORY’s Evel Knievel stunt special, “Evel Live 2,” Hodges experienced a severe accident during a practice run for what would have been the longest motorcycle jump in history—an astonishing distance of 378 feet and 9 inches. The crash resulted in significant injuries to both ankles. Reflecting on the incident, he expressed, “I’m shocked that I’m not in worse shape and feel extremely grateful to have been able to recover from this crash.”

Hodges was set to attempt two record-breaking jumps during the event: the first aimed at surpassing Evel Knievel’s original jump over 25 semi-trucks from 1971, and the second intended to exceed the motorcycle jump record of 2011, established by Australian rider Robbie Madison. For these attempts, he was slated to ride a fully customized Kawasaki KX450F. “Evel and the daredevils of the past have paved the way for athletes like me,” Hodges noted. “What Travis, Nitro Circus, and HISTORY accomplished last year with ‘Evel Live’ has inspired countless freestyle athletes and a new generation of motorcyclists. I’m eager to make my mark.” Given his resilience, it is likely that the injuries will not keep him grounded for long.