We met up with the director Eliot Rausch and Stephen Murray at Vans to talk about the making of the Pass the Bucket series.  By Jennifer Le / orangecounty.com

From a pro to a paraplegic, Stephen Murray continues to inspire people all around the world.

Nearly five years ago, Pro BMX Rider and three-time X Games U.S. Gold Medalist Stephen Murray crashed while attempting a double back flip at the Dew Action Sports Tour in Baltimore, Maryland – a crash that would forever end his career and leave him paralyzed from the shoulders down.

Following his injury, Murray fought to rehabilitate himself and started his “Stay Strong” foundation as a source of income to support his family.

Murray was recently featured in ‘Pass the Bucket,’ an episodic mini series presented by Vans.  Directed by award-winning director for Best Documentary on Vimeo Eliot Rausch, the ‘Pass the Bucket’ series gives “a look into the humanitarian side of today’s most celebrated action sport athletes, musicians, artists and foundations.”

Eliot Rausch and Stephen Murray talk about the Making of Vans "Pass the Bucket" at the Vans HQ (photos by Kris Heineman)

The ‘Pass the Bucket’ series conveys a large bucket that helps human beings regain consciousness and be aware of the issues at hand to not only offer opportunities to be selfless, but to also lend a hand.

In church, a basket is passed to collect money to keep the building lights on.  In alcoholics anonymous, a can is passed to collect money to keep the coffee fresh.  A musician passes his hat to keep his passion alive, and a homeless man holds a cup in hopes for handouts to survive.

The Stephen Murray episode was created on the idea to inspire people of different genres and demographics who are down, but to also give people hope to knock down doors and pass those barriers.  “I’m in a bad situation, but there are people who are worst than me so I consider myself lucky,” Murray said.

As spirited as one can be, Murray admits he too can become mentally weak.  “When I stay in a room by myself, kind of secluded, sometimes I can get some dark thoughts, but you just have to keep on believing and keep persevering,” Murray expressed.  Murray’s first priority is being a father to his two young boys, Mason, 6, and Seth, 9, who both ride BMX, motocross, and practice Jiu-Jitsu and boxing.

What started as a foundation from the overwhelming amount of support from fans and friends, Murray has now turned the “Stay Strong” foundation to a platform to help others like him or in similar situations.  “Sometimes you just feel like an empty shell,” Murray said, “but you just have to stay strong in your thoughts, and just keep on fighting and try to inspire others.”

Since the episode aired April of 2011, Stephen Murray’s story is now seen as an inspiration to not only viewers, but to its director Eliot Rausch.  “Inspire is an understatement.  Stephen is like my teacher.  He’s a human being in the face of adversity, but continues to live with intent and purpose,” said Rausch, “Doing the piece was life changing.”

Creating the series was Rausch’s way of passing his bucket.  “I wasn’t doing enough for the common good.  It’s my way of paying it back and paying it forward.”  The ‘Pass the Bucket’ series not only accomplishes awareness for organizations that need help, but also awareness to inspire other human beings to be more conscious with the relationships they have and to strive for more in life.

With the completion of the series’ first season, what would we be expecting from season two?  According to Rausch, season one was more about awareness to the individuals and their organizations, season two will be more about the human spirit and paying it forward.

Season 2 will air on March 12 at offthewall.tv

The full episodes with Stephen Murray and Tony Alva are below

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.