When Jonathan Rea finally decides to hang up the leathers he could easily slip into a career as a YouTube star.
Away from the meandering bends of circuits such as Phillip Island, Rea has been offering fans a behind-the-scenes look at his life through the lens..
His 'JR's World' vlogging series on YouTube has been a welcome distraction to the high-octane world of motorcycle racing, but the Co Antrim rider will jump back into the cauldron atmosphere this weekend for the opening round of the World Superbike Championship in Australia.
Read more: Linfield hit with one-match stadium ban following Oval trouble
Belfast Live caught up with the six-times WSBK champion ahead of Saturday's curtain-raiser Down Under, and chatted to him about vlogging, title ambition, being an underdog and his retirement plans.
Here's what he had to say...
BL: First of all, did you have a good off-season?
JR: "It was a strong off-season. I didn't really stop training which was nice. I didn't have that lull to get on top of.
"We started pre-season testing in December, and now it feels strange being back in the same place we finished last season, Australia.
"And we're ready to start again for real."
BL: And you have been doing some vlogging?
JR: "Yeah, I got myself one of these Insta360 cameras which is simple and easy to use. So I thought some behind-the-scenes action would go down well.
"My buddy that helps with my YouTube channel wasn't around, so I try doing it all myself. Filming and editing it.
"My skills aren't that great but I was still able to get some content out there.
BL: You could become a future YouTube star...
JR: "I could end up boxing someone!"
BL: How does this season's Kawasaki package feel, and when do you know how competitive it can be?
JR: "We need some races under our belt before we know how competitive the bike will be. Phillip Island is a track, especially in the summer with high temperatures, where we have struggled at in the past.
"November suited us better because the temperatures were low. Whilst this weekend we will aim high and aim to win races, I want to just get out of here with a bagful of points and move on.
"But after three or four rounds of the championship, we will see where everyone is. Anticipation is good because everyone is excited for round one.
"Things have been pretty strong in testing. We haven't really strung that single lap together yet to be at the top of the time sheets, but I feel good about the bike and ready to get stuck in."
BL: You signed a new contract with Kawasaki last summer. Do you feel like there is a little bit of unfinished business there? One word you used after signing the deal was 'motivation'....
JR: "It's not a case of unfinished business. Of course I want to win and I am very determined and motivated to win.
"But world championships don't come for free. It takes a lot of hard work on and off the track, the team, manufacturer. Everyone.
"We are doing that right now, so if it happens or not it won't be because of a lack of trying. And the last couple of years I have to give kudos to my rivals, Toprak (Razgatlıoğlu) and Alvaro (Bautista). They put great seasons together.
"With that benchmark now we have to be able to step up and challenge them every weekend and not make mistakes.
"And I am motivated to see what happens. I have worked hard during the off-season and so has my team."
BL: You incredibly won six World Superbike championships on the bounce, then Toprak won and last season Alvaro took the title. How frustrating was it having that sudden momentum shift?
JR: "It probably came suddenly last year. In 2021 I still fought for a title to the last race of the season. I lost by 13 points.
"Last year was more of a kicking, because we lost by in and around 100 points. So we were beaten last year, outright.
"It is one of them where you have to understand this is your reality and you need to improve. And I think the underdog status really suits us.
"I am looking forward to the lack of pressure now. We can go out and fight for race wins and try and put a year together.
"When I won my sixth world championship the expectation was super high. And there comes an adjustment period where you get angry and pissed off at not being the main guy.
"But quickly you have to respect your rivals and understand that world titles don't come for free and everyone is working hard. So once that sunk in, we readjusted mentalities and targets and that's where we are now, trying to win back that number one plate."
BL: Alvaro Bautista goes into this season as reigning champion. How heavy is that crown?
JR: "Being world champion does weigh heavy. I remember winning in 2015, and having three or four races left in the season and it took me right to the last race of the year to win.
"Right when you win the championship the mentality, the back pats, the events you get invited to. Sometimes you need to take your foot off the gas a bit, and realise your reality isn't what it was before you won.
"So I am all-too aware of that, and these off-seasons I have prepared well and not had those distractions. Not to say I don't want that all back again, I would love that feeling back again."
BL: Especially when you are from Northern Ireland. We celebrate this amazing success you had. I am sure it was a whirlwind six years and you didn't get any time off?
JR: "You don't get any time off when you're world champion. Your season ends around Christmas time and then you're on the wagon again.
"I might look back when I am done and wish I would have enjoyed things a bit more. But everything happens so fast and our schedules are so, so busy. You don't get time to enjoy and reflect on these moments.
"There have been so many non-racing highlights in my life that I haven't enjoyed the way I should because I haven't made time for it.
"I will only realise that when I step back from it all. But then again, I wouldn't have been six-time consecutive world champion if I lived off the first one and kept partying."
BL: You previously spoke of retiring by the age of 32. You turned 36 at the start of February, what keeps you going?
JR: "I remember having this same conversation with Neil Hodgson, ex-World Superbike champion from 2003, and I told him after my first World championship that it was enough and I would soon be retired.
"He said, 'you'll be a long time retired, come and talk to me in five years' time'. And here I am with the same burning ambition as I have ever had.
"I feel competitive, and in better physical condition as I have ever been in. Until that realistic chance to win goes, and that motivation goes, then I will be on that start line and giving my all."
BL: As an athlete you feel on top of your game, but World Superbikes is so challenging, physically and mentally...
JR: "It is physically and mentally challenging. Since I joined the championship in 2009 things have changed.
"These are athletes, not just motorbike riders. Everyone is leading a super fit and healthy lifestyle and it is a huge sacrifice.
"Every waking hour at home is based on making decisions to make you better as a motorbike rider, and I have been all in since back in 2009. And as you get older you have to take it more serious.
"I enjoy that, giving my all."
BL: And finally, do you expect the same faces to be on the front row of the grid battling it out this season?
JR: "Yeah. Alvaro and Toprak will be there week in, week out.
"And there are new riders who can be strong on any given weekend.
"The field is so deep, and you just need an average weekend to find yourself down the classification."
READ NEXT:
- Irish FA confirms position on transgender inclusion following LGFA move
NI family heartbroken as man who sold them LFC tickets disappeared
Only two players escape Gary Hamilton's wrath as defeat leaves him 'disgusted'
Inside Linfield FC's full-time academy and what it hopes to achieve
Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox.
