(NEXSTAR) - Jake Pates, a snowboarder from Colorado, is returning to the Olympic halfpipe stage after stepping away from the sport in 2020. Pates is scheduled to compete in the men's halfpipe qualification round next week on Feb. 11. Pates previously competed in the 2018 Olympics but faced several years of mental and physical challenges that led to a temporary retirement. He credits his return to the encouragement of fellow snowboarders and a regained passion for the sport. Pates was 19 during his appearance at the 2018 games. In the years following that competition, he said he found the environment increasingly difficult to navigate. "I kind of struggled for a while, a few good years," Pates said. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and a series of injuries, including concussions, impacted his drive to compete. He officially announced he was stepping away from professional snowboarding in 2020. "I was really not in a great place mentally and physically," Pates said. He noted that the decision was based on "losing belief" in his ability to progress rather than a lack of talent. His return to the halfpipe was influenced by long-time friends Ayumo and Kaishu Hirano. Ayumo Hirano is the reigning Olympic champion in the halfpipe. Pates said both friends pushed him to resume training and competition. "I [definitely] owe being here now a lot to Ayumo and Hirano for just encouraging me," Pates said. "I remember them saying, 'Dude, what are you doing, you need to get this going again, you need to come snowboarding.'" Having worked through those challenges, Pates said he has a renewed outlook on the sport. "I was able to come out the other side for this full burning passion for snowboarding again," Pates said. Beyond his personal performance, Pates said he hopes his journey serves as a motivation for others facing similar obstacles. "[I] hope people don't see me as just like a snowboarder who has struggled and persevered," Pates said. He emphasized a "never give up" message, adding that while people can lose hope, "you could find it again." Pates is scheduled to begin practice with the team on Feb. 8. His first round of competition in the men's halfpipe qualification round will follow on Feb. 11. Beyond his personal performance, Pates said he hopes his journey serves as a motivation for others facing similar obstacles. "Hope people, you know, see don't see me as just like a snowboarder who has struggled and and persevered," Pates said. He emphasized a "never give up" message, adding that while people can lose hope, "you could find it again." Pates is scheduled to begin practice with the team on Feb. 8. His first round of competition in the men’s halfpipe qualification round will follow on Feb. 11. All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by Nexstar. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by Nexstar staff before being published