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)
Yes, Tony Hawk is his real name. It’s Anthony Frank Hawk, but he has always gone by Tony
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
Random trivia you probably didn’t know: 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
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
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
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
Tony sometimes gets ideas for new tricks in his dreams
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
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
He doesn’t have a specific warm-up routine
  • He just goes through some basic tricks to make sure he’s comfortable
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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