‘I hope he sees that’: The role model Olympic snowboarder Scotty James wants to be for his son

Scotty James is Australia’s most decorated winter Olympian, a hilarious presence on social media and children’s book author, but his most important role to date is being a dad. 

The 32-year-old snowboarder and his wife Chloe Stroll are parents to an almost two-year-old son, Leo, and James is fast to admit becoming a parent changed a lot for him. 

“Becoming a dad has really shifted my mindset,” the athlete told nine.com.au in an exclusive interview.

“I find myself not getting caught up in the small things as much. It’s sharpened my focus, fuelled my competitive fire and changed the way I approach snowboarding.” 

James, who won silver in the Men’s Halfpipe at the Winter Olympics earlier this year, admitted he’s more relaxed about the sport now he’s a dad. 

“I’m more focused when it matters, and I’m able to enjoy the journey a lot more now.”

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Having grown up in Victoria, the Aussie snowfields have always had a place in James’ heart. He recently headed back to Thredbo Mooki Mini Pipe Cup, where he’s become one of the most inspiring and beloved faces for little shredders on the mountain. 

But for James, becoming a role model is something that’s always been in the back of his mind; he always “wanted to be someone who leads by example.” 

That’s something he wants to continue to do even more so now with Leo, who will turn two in October, in his life. 

“I want him to see that you can work hard, stay true to yourself, and follow what you’re passionate about, while still enjoying the journey along the way,” James explained. 

“I also hope he sees that I’ve always tried to do things the right way and keep growing, both as an athlete and as a person.”

James shared an intimate look at his life, both as a competitive snowboarder and outside the sport, in the Netflix documentary, Scotty James: Pipe Dream, which touched on how becoming a dad had impacted his career. 

Looking at fatherhood now, he says the best part is being able to see the world through his son’s eyes. 

“Everything is new to him, and it makes you slow down and appreciate the little things that you might normally overlook,” he said. 

“It’s definitely changed my perspective on life in the best possible way.”

As parents with big public profiles – James as a decorated athlete and Stroll a singer, whose brother is F1 driver Lance Stroll and her father is a billionaire – the couple have chosen to keep their son’s face off social media. 

It’s a decision most parents now have to wrestle with in the digital age. James and Stroll rarely post about their son, and the athlete admitted technology and parenting in the modern world is where you need to find a balance. 

“It’s definitely something we’re conscious of,” he said. 

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“Technology is such a big part of the world we live in, so we try to find a balance and make sure there’s plenty of time to be present. 

“We want Leo to grow up being curious, active, and connected to the world around him, and I think the best way to encourage that is to give him plenty of opportunities to experience it for himself.”

It’s part of the reason he’s partnered with Yoto, to help bring the Mooki storybooks to life without having to have the screentime debate. 

Anyone who has followed James’ journey knows he can be quite the larrikin, and has followed his dreams – exactly what he wants Leo to do. 

“I want him to always be true to himself and follow his passions, whatever that may be,” he said. 

“I want him to have the confidence to go after what makes him happy, work hard at it, and not feel like he has to follow a certain path. Ultimately, I just want him to be comfortable being himself and enjoy the journey along the way.”