Daredevil, teacher and stuntman motorcyclist Chris "Teach" McNeil has been tearing it up on-road and off-road, making a name for himself since 2000. Award-winning McNeil described that his initial urge to push the limit in his craft is "like any boy [and something found] innately in most people. I got my first crotch rocket in college and wanted to go fast and look cool. And the next step is going fast and popping a wheelie on the highway."

A part of the stunt motorcycle scene from the beginning, McNeil started out on the streets trying to avoid being chased by cops. From there, his stunts evolved into playing in parking lots, to finally participating in mainstream competitions.

While McNeil always loved to ride dirt bikes, prior to his career as a champion freestyle motorcycle athlete and performer, he taught Latin at a private school. He describes his transition as "one of those things where I always loved teaching and riding motorcycles and I did both for a long time. The timing was right and I moved to California and started riding bikes all the time."

His teaching shifted to motorcycle education along with his stunt and competition work. His upcoming events in Lansing and Kalamazoo, Mich. include a combination of his skills.

BMW Lansing Demo Days Alpha Training Center June 6, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. $5 donation bmwmcgr.com, (616) 530-6900 Welcome Home Iraq and Afghan Veterans Kalamazoo Air Zoo June 5 Free bmwmcgr.com, (269) 223-6451

"BMW of Grand Rapids has invited me out for a few days," he said. "[The audience will learn] a little bit about riding, how to become a better rider and they can expect to see some gravity defying things on motorcycles, acrobatics. Whatever it is, I don't think too many people have seen what these motorcycles can do."

Emphasizing the up-close excitement, he said, "TV doesn't do it justice."

McNeil stresses the importance of safety education when it comes to riding.

"When I first started riding it was a t-shirt and helmet and I got really lucky. It comes down to when [everyday] riders see others do it, it looks really easy. But, not only do we have the right bikes and right gear but, hundreds of hours [of experience and training]."

When describing what he does McNeil said, "one of the things I have been adamant about is that I am not a stunt rider, I am a rider and a teacher ... I have always been a school teacher who has been good on a motorcycle."

But, that doesn't make McNeil any less of a badass. "I have a strong desire to come close, close, close to the limit," he said. "Last weekend I crashed hard and put myself out of the game."

Defying death aside, McNeil said, "I love what I do. I am happy to be able to make a difference and that's where I get the most drive out of riding."