The Skate Motivation Podcast with STOKED Steve

Today’s show we interview J Scott Handsdown. I’d been following his journey for a while and when I saw that he chased his dream to making it to the Berrics, I decided it was time to see how his dream is coming along. He’s an amazing man, husband, father. He’s proof that no matter what your excuses are they should never get in the way of chasing your dreams. Listen and be inspired! Follow him on Instagram    

This week’s episode we talk with Joel Jutagir from Metro Skateboarding on his career and journey through skateboarding and how he started the largest skateboard instagram account online.

This episode, Stoked Steve answers a viewer’s question about feeling lost and unfulfilled in life.

This week’s show we bring you Spencer Fujimoto, former pro skateboarder, turned entrepreneur who is the owner of El Señor, the first and only skateboard jewelry brand. It’s a lifestyle and culture brand for skateboarders. Where they embrace all aspects of skateboarding. Listen to this OG veteran in skateboarding talk about his career, his mistakes, and what gets him motivated to grow his business and skate. Visit: http://elsenornewyork.com and Instagram.com/elsenornewyork

This week we talk with Carlos Zarazua a pro skater from Los Angeles, CA who’s sponsored by Mountain Dew, Jart Skateboards, Krysp Headwear, Bliss Wheels, Venture Trucks, and Diamond Supply Company. The moment he knew skateboarding was for him:  His mom got him a board at 12 years old and ever since then he did it every single day. He grew up as a neighbor to Paul Rodriguez who lived across the street. He met him skating at a supermarket loading dock. Paul would always sell his old clothes and shoes to the younger kids. It gave him motivation and inspiration to make it a career.   High point of his career:  His first time in a Primitive Skateboard film where they had a premiere. Then he went to SXSW with the Mountain Dew skate team. Then 2 days later he went to Spain for 3 months.   Low Point of Career:  When he gets hurt. The feeling of being stuck at home, gaining weight, and being frustrated that you can’t skate.   Recent Aha Moment:  From Spain, he traveled with the Jart skateboard team to England. He spent 36 hours in a van going all the way through France then in the tunnel underneath the English Channel. It was the longest he spent in one space and it made him think that if he can do this he could do anything.    Lessons about traveling for skateboarding:  It’s the most amazing thing about skateboarding and traveling. When you’re at home you have a routine. But going overseas your daily routine is so different and you have to adjust to traveling, living, and being. His first trip was through Mountain Dew with him, Eli Reed, Mike Franklin, and Paul Rodriguez.   Why He Loves Spain:  Although LA is the mecca, Barcelona has so many skatespots and marble all within 50 miles. Skatespots all in a tiny city.     How He Overcomes Fear:  If he’s going to jump down stairs, he’ll have his friends there. Or maybe have them do it first.   Best Advice He Ever Received: “Skate how you wanna skate. You can’t please everyone” - Torey Pudwill   Who motivates him:  Daewon Song   Links:  Get in contact on instagram: http://instagram.com/zarazua87 and Kryspheadwear.com

This week’s interview we speak with Vinicius (Vina) Tinoco from Next Up Foundation. Next Up Foundation is a non profit in California that provides mentoring and guidance to inner city youth through skateboarding. Vina talks about his work teaching youth in prison how to skateboard to moving to the United States from Brazil. You’ll hear him talk about his mindset, his motivation, and the obstacles that he’s overcome in order to live the life he has now. Vina provides inspiration for those looking for a way to empower others and mentor kids through skateboarding.   Visit:  http://nextupfoundation.org https://www.instagram.com/nextupfound https://www.facebook.com/NextUpFoundation    

Moment he knew skateboarding was for him:   Always had a skateboard growing up. He also grew up playing soccer and baseball. When he 11, he saw a guy who ollie up a curb. He ran after the guy and asked him how to ollie. Rodney learned to ollie that day. That was the moment he knew skateboarding was for him.   High point of his career:   Building the Maloof skatepark in Queens meant a lot to him. Maloof built in 2010 and brought Rodney was assisting the project manager. Assistant with design and bringing on local skaters to help with the project. Being able to go there and know he had a part in the project made him feel really good and was meaningful to him.   Worst moment: He hurt his knee skateboarding years ago. He had a bunch of sponsors but during the the healing and rehab process he lost his sponsors, income, and coverage. It was hard on him mentally.  The biggest lesson was that it made him realize why he skates. He came out thinking that he loves skateboarding regardless.   Recent Aha Moment:   You have to do it yourself. No one is going to do it for you.   Message behind the Torro Skateboards Brand   You have to take charge and go after what you want.   How he overcomes fear:   Trial and error   People he looks up to:   Felix Arguelles, Steve Rodriguez, Jeff Pang   Best Advice He Ever Received   Harold Hunter — “keep skating kid”   Link To Follow Torronyc.com @torronyc @rodneytorresnyc

In this episode of Skate Motivation, Stoked Steve sat down with Matt Belair to talk about Zen, Skateboarding, and the art of using your mind to bring success to you. He helps athletes elevate their consciousness through sport. He was always interested in his physical and mental capabilities. He believes that athletes are superhuman, possessing a large amount of skill and mental concentration. He understands that training helps people become better athletes.

In this episode, Stoked Steve sat down with Lazer Crawford, a 10 year old skateboarder.

In this episode, Stoked Steve sits down with Matthew Holifield, founder of Magic Skateboard Wax Co.

In this episode, Stoked Steve took the time to sit down with Felix Arguelles, professional skateboarder, designer, and owner of skate brand, Ammo. In this interview, Arguelles talks about how skateboarding has had an influence on his professional development.

In this episode of Skate Motivation, Steve sat down with Brett Conti, discussing his accomplishments and achievements both skateboarding, and running his brand, Fortune NY. Go to skatemotivation.com if you'd like to be inspired by more moguls in all types of industries.

Thalente Biyela is a professional skateboarder from South Africa. During this podcast, we had the opportunity to learn about his motivations and fears, and also about how skateboarding turned his entire life around for the better. Be sure to check out his film, "I Am Thalente," out now! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceR_Oh50pjY)

This episode of the podcast I decided to delve into the subject of overcoming your fears. The post was inspired by the interview and quote from Aaron "Jaws" Homoki where he said "Fear is only as Real as you make it." The post generated over 2000+ likes and lots of buzz in the Skate Motivation community. Enjoy the episode and comment with what you think over at http://skatemotivation.com

This episode of the podcast we interviewed Aaron "Jaws" Homoki. From being sponsored by Tony Hawk, to traveling the world, to growing his own vegetables... you'll learn a lot from this amazing skateboarder. Skateboarding Story: He remembers having fun with his friends -- simply knee boarding and butt boarding. He was enjoying it so much that he thought that skateboarding was going to be part of his life. Driving Force for Skateboarding: Skateboarding teaches him how to live a genuine life Biggest Failure/ Worst Moment: He ruptured his spleen and didn't know it. It happened in the Happy Medium 1 intro. He was feeling nauseous and when he woke up the next morning. He went to the hospital because he couldn't pee. He had to have surgery that day. It was the first time he had been scared and it made him realize how gnarly and dangerous skateboarding can be. It took him about 4 months to recover. Biggest AH-HA Moment: He got the idea from a friend to try the 25 set stairs in France that Ali Boulala tried. He'd been thinking about it for 2 years before it became a reality. So he got the measurements for how tall it was. It ironically ended up being the same size as his roof at his house. So he jumped off his roof every day for 3 months. He was also jumping on his trampoline everyday to train. After a failed attempt the prior year, in October 2015 he went back with his dad and landed it with the support of his sponsors. Biggest Motivation: Biggest motivation are his friends and family. They push him to be better. He enjoys especially hanging out with Tony Hawk who he considers a mentor. Best Advice: "Closed mouths don't get fed." Basically means, if you want something, ask for it. Go for it! Tool / Tip: Jumping on trampoline, growing his own food, and keeping a positive mindset. He also got a whiteboard calendar and listens to a lot of music to keep him on track. Book / Video Anything from Travis Pastrana Interview Links: Aaron "Jaws" Homoki Instagram Birdhouse Skateboards Glassy Sunhaters Bro Style Bones Fred Water Asphalt Yacht Club Independent Trucks Neff Headwear FP Insoles Raw Superfoods Bronson Speed Co.

What does it take to be a highly motivated skateboarder from a small town? Join us as Steven Maune shares his skateboarding mindset and get an inside glance at the life of an up and coming skater and follower of Skate Motivation. Skateboarding Story: He visited his friends that were skateboarding. The first time he rode, he rolled off a table top. He begged his parents to get him a skateboard at 9 years old. His first deck was a Walmart deck. From that moment on he knew that he was going to skate for the rest of his life. Biggest Failure/ Worst Moment: A year and half ago, he lost his drive. His mental state wasn't good. He started screwing around and getting off track. He was pushing himself the wrong way. He focused on the how and why he wanted to skate. People forget skateboarding is about fun. He was skating with old friends and making new friends. That helped him get back at on track. Biggest AH-HA Moment: Chris Cole's part got him hyped. It's also inspiring to him that people can come out of nowhere. Best Advice: Don't Quit Tool / Tip: He played a lot of basketball and believes that helped him with skateboarding by having muscle memory. Envision tricks he wants to do at a spot before he skates it. Book / Video Metroskateboarding Shralpin Skatecrunch  Chris Cole Interview Links: Steven Maune Instagram Sure Skateboards 550 Wheels

What does it take to be a highly motivated up and coming skateboarder? Join us as Vinnie Banh shares skateboard story and get an inside glance at journey of a sponsored skater. Skateboarding Story: It started after he landed his first kickflip.  It made him realize that it's an amazing feeling to land something that he's been trying for hours and hours. That's the feeling he wanted to continue to have. Biggest Failure/ Worst Moment: Feels everyday is low. His friends bought him a one way ticket from Wichita, Kansas to California. He moved to California without plan, place to live, and money. His friends left him behind! Getting left in California was good and bad, but he's happy to be alive and still skating. Biggest AH-HA Moment: He landed a nollie double heel flip off the Belmont, 9 stair. The generator ran out, he was tired, but he stayed focused and landed the trick. Best Advice: "You won't know until you try" What He's Motivated About: He's likes to see how people become successful despite the odds they faced in life. Book / Video: Flip Sorry Pain is Beautiful Nike SB Chronicles Interview Links: Vinnie Banh Instagram Autobahn Wheels Ace Trucks Blackwood Denim Switch Made Productions Nike Recorded Threads Skate Balm

Here is the Part 2 Interview with Skateboard Legend Steve Berra. How Steve Overcome's Fear: The way to deal with fear is to borough through it, then it will eventually subside. One Thing That Motivates Him: Being a father to a 2 year old boy. Who Steve Surrounds Himself With: He tries to work with his friends. But some of his friends include: Eric Koston and Joel Petersen. He surrounds him people with the same goals as him. Anything He Felt Held Him Back: He refused to use the excuse that he didn't have money. Despite growing up with not a lot of money, he works crappy jobs, ate, went to school, and skated. That was his routine. He was determined.   Personal Habit: He makes lists. Writes down all that he wants to do. Buys notebooks and fills it up with ideas. Books: Rise of the Police State No Logo 4th Turning Interview Links: Berrics Instagram Twitter

What does it take to be one of the most influential skateboarders in history? Join us in Part 1 of the interview. Steve Berra shares his history and mindset and get inside glance at his life.  Skateboarding Story: Steve grew up street skating. He first got a sponsor after he won a contest in his town. After he got sponsored, he started skating vert. Everyone in California was start skating vert at the time. Once Steve learned 540’s which all the pros were doing at the time, Steve knew it was only a matter of time before turning pro. He felt torn because skateboarding was who he was, but he was also a great soccer player. Soccer introduced him to a different crowd and the popular kids in town.  One day, Steve was wearing a skate t-shirt. A girl at school asked him "I thought you didn't skate anymore." Steve responded to her question by telling her that he did not.  At that point he felt like a sell out, and that all the things he did and cared about didn't matter. Soon after, he shaved his head, started dressing more like a skater, and embraced who he was, which was a skateboarder.  He started hanging with two boys at his school who actually skated. Which one of them is actually the General manager of the Berrics.   Biggest Failure/ Worst Moment: The team at Alien Workshop did not want anything to do with the Berrics. Steve also felt like he outgrew the Alien workshop team, wanted to quit for about two years before then. Then one day he got a call from Chris Carter stating that he was no longer on the team. Steve was never kicked off a team before in his life. He felt like it had nothing to do with his skating it was about the Berrics. Anthony Van Engelen, Arto Saari, Dylan Rieder also did not like the Berrics. The biggest takeaway Steve got from this  experience is that those setbacks did not matter in the long run. It feels terrible for someone else to tell you that you're not wanted. It’s the same as you loving a girl so much and one day she wakes and says I don't want you anymore. Time passed and it did not matter anymore.   Biggest AH-HA Moment Steve had this idea of the called the Push Project. The Push Project is what Steve thought skateboarding video parts should be about. There are so many videos on the internet, so many people recording and posting that it’s just a bunch of noise. With so many video parts out now it’s hard to stand out. The Push Project shows eight different people who deserve to stand out. The point was to show videos that people inside and outside of skateboarding would enjoy. Interview Links   The Berrics Steve Berra Instagram The Push Project