Summary of Huberman Lab Podcast Episode: Tony Hawk: Unleashing Passion, Drive & Persistence for Lifelong Success
Podcast: Huberman Lab
10 min. read
— Description —
Discover fascinating trivia about Tony Hawk, from his early days as a misunderstood skater to his groundbreaking tricks and the cultural phenomenon he sparked Learn about his unique approach to trick development and the importance of drive and dedication in achieving true progress Explore the inspiring stories of female skateboarders who are pushing boundaries and making history
Plus, find out the surprising financial decision Tony Hawk made regarding his iconic video game Dont miss out on this captivating content!
Tony Hawk: Unleashing Passion, Drive & Persistence for Lifelong Success
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
Intro
Childhood & Self-Concept
Early Skateboarding & Skateparks
Turning Professional, The Bones Brigade
Trick Development & Evolution
Visualization, Dreaming
“Feeling” While Skateboarding
Drive & Discipline, Injuries
Healthy Life Practices & Skateboarding
Video Game Development, Financial Investments
Kids, Music, High School
Females in Skateboarding
Memorabilia, Autographs
Future Goals & Aspirations
Key Takeaways
- Random trivia you probably didn’t know #1: Tony Hawk’s parents took in Andrew Huberman when he was a 14-year-old skating hooligan
- Tony started skateboarding as transportation around 1977-78 when it became a fad among kids
- Tony had an epiphany at Oasis Skatepark while watching skaters fly around. He decided to skate for as long as possible
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In his early days, people didn’t like Tony’s style and tricks, particularly his signature finger flip air
- He was criticized and teased for being a “circus act”
- He was bullied by some fellow skaters, especially those who preferred a more stylish and flashy approach to skateboarding, like Christian Hosoi
- Trick development: in the past 20 years, his thought process is to consider all the elements he has already done separately and then combine them into a new trick
- True progress comes from a genuine love for the sport and the feeling of accomplishment, not from external rewards like fame or social media recognition
- Drive and dedication are more important than natural talent
- Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater sparked a cultural phenomenon and inspired some of the best skaters in history
- Random trivia you probably didn’t know #2: The first version of the game featured Bruce Willis on a skateboard doing tricks in a desert wasteland
-
Tony received an offer to buy out future royalties for the game for half a million dollars but decided not to take the buyout
- In retrospect, it was the best financial decision he ever made
-
Female skateboarders that push the boundaries
- Reese Nelson, a nine-year-old making history and better than most experienced male skaters
- Lizzie Armanto is one tough lady, check out her worst slam and probably one of the worst slams in skateboarding history
- Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins made history with the first female 540 on vert
-
Tony used to be open to signing for skateboarding fans, but resellers seeking profit are causing issues
- They even hacked into his airline accounts to intercept him at airports
-
In terms of his career, he never had specific grand aspirations
- He only focused on trick-specific goals
Intro
-
Old AF and still skating
- In this episode, the guest is Tony Hawk (@tonyhawk), a legendary skateboarder, video game character, CEO of Birdhouse, philanthropist & public skatepark advocate. They discuss Tony’s career, his impact on skateboarding, and his role as a skateboard culture ambassador. They also explore his intrinsic drive, goal-setting, and resilience in overcoming career-threatening injuries
- Host- Andrew Huberman (@hubermanlab)
Childhood & Self-Concept
- Yes, Tony Hawk is his real name. It’s Anthony Frank Hawk, but he has always gone by Tony
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Tony Hawk’s early self-concept:
- Tony was placed in advanced classes and felt like a nerd
- He was thinking about becoming a teacher because he was great at understanding concepts and helping classmates
- In sports, he was average
- Tony discovered skateboarding when he was 10 and quit other sports
- Back then it was just a hobby
-
Huberman idolized Tony Hawk and had his posters on the wall
- He was following his career closely for a long time; he admires Tony’s remarkable recovery from injuries
- Tony Hawk always comes back stronger
- He was following his career closely for a long time; he admires Tony’s remarkable recovery from injuries
- Random trivia you probably didn’t know: Tony Hawk’s parents took in Andrew Huberman when he was a 14-year-old skating hooligan
Early Skateboarding & Skateparks
- Tony started skateboarding as transportation around 1977-78 when it became a fad among kids
- Kids used cheap store-bought skateboards, there were no good ones in his area
- Inspired by skaters in magazines, Tony got interested in pool skateboarding during the Dogtown and Z-Boys era
- Oasis Skatepark was the first skate park Tony tried to visit, but he couldn’t go in due to age restrictions
- Later, Tony had an epiphany at Oasis Skatepark while watching skaters fly around. He decided to skate for as long as possible
- He used to wear elbow pads as knee pads, inspired by Steve Caballero
- Tony went through a growth spurt around age 17, gaining strength and confidence to perform higher and more intricate tricks
Turning Professional, The Bones Brigade
- Tony became a professional skateboarder at 14 and was a part of the famous Bones Brigade team
-
In his early days, people didn’t like Tony’s style and tricks, particularly his signature finger flip air
- He was criticized and teased for being a “circus act”
- Despite the fame and attention, Tony remained humble and focused on skateboarding, never seeking celebrity status
- His father, noticing the fleeting nature of skateboarding success, encouraged him to invest and buy property to secure his future
- He was bullied by some fellow skaters, especially those who preferred a more stylish and flashy approach to skateboarding, like Christian Hosoi
- His turning point came when he started excelling at the Upland Pipeline event, gaining recognition and respect from other skaters
Trick Development & Evolution
- Tony learns tricks by combining existing ones in different ways
- He plans his approach systematically, not haphazardly
- In the past 20 years, his thought process is to consider all the elements he has already done separately and then combine them into a new trick
- If the timing and execution align, the trick will work
- Tony never goes into trying a trick with a reckless mindset; he always has a plan based on his existing skills
- Modern tricks are highly technical, and sometimes the success of a trick comes from a tiny, almost imperceptible adjustment
- He has done some tricks only once because they are so difficult and require precise timing and execution
Visualization, Dreaming
- Tony sometimes gets ideas for new tricks in his dreams
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During twilight moments, when he’s almost falling asleep, Tony’s mind becomes clear, and he can focus on coming up with new moves
- Example: preparing for X Games in Japan
- At first, he didn’t plan to compete in the best trick event due to his ongoing leg recovery
- However, as he was falling asleep, an idea struck him that he could attempt a half-cab body rail to backside blunt, a complex and risky trick
- This sudden inspiration made him try the new move
- Example: preparing for X Games in Japan
-
Tony often finds inspiration for tricks in the ordinary and mundane moments of life, such as taking walks or being in the shower
- Relaxation and lack of pressure allow his mind to wander and explore creative possibilities
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He doesn’t have a specific warm-up routine
- He just goes through some basic tricks to make sure he’s comfortable
“Feeling” While Skateboarding
- True progress comes from a genuine love for the sport and the feeling of accomplishment, not from external rewards like fame or social media recognition
-
Tony often skates alone on his ramp, away from the spotlight and without any filming or social media distractions
- This solitary practice allows him to focus purely on the joy of skateboarding and the pursuit of new challenges
-
Success in skateboarding requires dedication, hard work, and a true passion for the sport
- The key to progress lies in consistent effort and love for what one does
Drive & Discipline, Injuries
- Tony Hawk’s drive and passion for skateboarding are innate and not something he consciously thinks about
- He wasn’t a natural skater when he started, but his determination and discipline led to his success
- Drive and dedication are more important than natural talent
- After breaking his femur, Tony was determined to get back to skateboarding asap
-
He disregarded medical advice initially, but after a second injury, he took two months off from skating
- Tony focused on proper nutrition, sleep, and a disciplined schedule
- He kept himself occupied and productive with speaking engagements
Healthy Life Practices & Skateboarding
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Tony Hawk wants to bring back his signature hand plants, especially the tucking Amber ones he used to do
- He’s been working with a physical therapist to improve his mobility for skateboarding tricks
- Skateboarding has evolved from a wild and carefree scene to a more organized and health-conscious community
- Some skaters now treat skateboarding like a serious sport, with trainers, nutritionists, and sponsors supporting their careers
- Skateboarding can be a positive force for mental health and physical well-being. It is a sport that allows for individuality and self-expression
- Skateboarding is not just a sport; it’s a way of life
Video Game Development, Financial Investments
- Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater sparked a cultural phenomenon and inspired some of the best skaters in history
-
Tony has been into video games since he was a kid, playing classics like Pong, Pac-Man, and Missile Command
- He owned Intellivision, Super NES, Commodore 64, and Sega
-
Tony Hawk got a call from a PC programmer pitching a skate game and later worked with Activision to develop the game
- The first version of the game featured Bruce Willis on a skateboard doing tricks in a desert wasteland
- The game was released in 1998, and its success exceeded everyone’s expectations
-
Tony received an offer to buy out future royalties for the game for half a million dollars but decided not to take the buyout
- In retrospect, it was the best financial decision he ever made
- The success of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater established Tony as an iconic figure in popular culture
Kids, Music, High School
- Tony Hawk has four kids of his own and two stepkids
- Tony’s kids are all into skateboarding, except his daughter
- His oldest son, Riley, turned pro and is a famous street skateboarder
- Tony has a punk playlist for specific tricks or moments: New Order, Gang of Four, and Operation Ivy
- Tony was bullied in high school for being a skater and had to transfer schools because of it
- Skating was not as popular or respected in the ’80s, and skaters often faced prejudice and exclusion
Females in Skateboarding
- In the past, there were very few female skateboarders and they faced ridicule
-
What changed?
- Instagram popularity
- The skateboarding community is more accepting
- The inclusion of skateboarding in the Olympics
- Equal divisions and disciplines for men and women have become a standard requirement
-
Female skateboarders that push the boundaries
- Reese Nelson, a nine-year-old making history and better than most experienced male skaters
- Lizzie Armanto is one tough lady, check out her worst slam and probably one of the worst slams in skateboarding history
- Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins made history with the first female 540 on vert
Memorabilia, Autographs
- There is a long history and tradition of people collecting skateboarding memorabilia (skateboards and stickers)
- Tony used to be open to signing for skateboarding fans, but resellers seeking profit are causing issues
- Tony prioritizes genuine skateboarding fans, but the rise of resellers has made it difficult to differentiate
-
Resellers have gone to extreme lengths to track Tony’s movements (hacking into his airline accounts to intercept him at airports)
- The situation has become weird, intrusive, and creepy, impacting the experience for true skate fans
- Tony appreciates true fans’ support and their understanding of his boundaries in these situations
Future Goals & Aspirations
- Tony Hawk prioritizes being available for his family, especially his kids
-
In terms of his career, he never had specific grand aspirations
- He was always focused on trick-specific goals
- He wants to continue skateboarding and advocating for public skate parks (The Skatepark Project)
- It still feels surreal to have a career doing what he loves