Keep Rollin'

I recently watched an incredible HBO documentary about Tony Hawk called Until The Wheels Fall Off. It was an in-depth look at his career, what drives him, and all the things he’s had to overcome to become the most famous skater on the planet. This is one of the best documentaries I have seen about him by far. It delves not just into his skating, but his life and what makes him tick.

As I watched it I had to so many ‘aha’ moments as he described this need inside him to push himself to his limit and his inability to give up even it seemed he was failing. It resonated with me in ways I can’t describe. I actually said out loud “if that man doesn’t have the same birthday as me I’ll eat my snowboard!”, so recognisable was his stubborn determination. I googled it and his birthday isn’t on the exact day as mine, but he’s the 12th May and I’m the 17th May, so close! I’m not a world famous skater, but I just totally recognised those feelings he described. Everything he said just made sense to me and I just kept nodding all the way through. I of course never put those traits to particularly good use, but nonetheless, they still drive me forward and it’s currently in action as I learn this new sport and it drove me when I was learning ballet too. His anger and frustration at learning a trick and falling multiple times in the process but getting himself back up with a look of sheer determination resonated with me - I know that look very well. My entire life this aspect of my personality has mostly always been seen negatively - ‘obsession’ being a word that gets thrown around constantly to explain away this drive. But now I see it as a good thing.

Even if skating isn’t of interest I still recommend this documentary. The soundtrack is amazing and it’s really inspirational watching someone still ripping it in his 50’s and showing no signs of giving up or slowing down. The man truly is a legend.