JRE 1477 ·

Tony Hawk

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Who is Tony Hawk?

Tony Hawk is a guest on the Joe Rogan Experience.

Topics and Timestamps

01Tony Hawk discusses his legendary skateboarding career and how he revolutionized the sport
02The conversation covers Tony's early life, his parents' support, and how he became obsessed with skateboarding
03Tony talks about landing the first-ever 900 and what that moment meant for his career
04Discussion about Tony's video game legacy and how the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater series impacted skateboarding culture
05Tony shares stories about touring, performing, and staying relevant in skateboarding for decades
06They discuss Tony's current projects, staying active, and his perspective on aging as an athlete
▶Tony talks about first getting into skateboarding and his parents' unusual support0:05:30
▶Discussion of landing the first 900 and the years of attempts leading up to it0:18:45
▶Tony explains the impact of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater video game series on skateboarding culture0:32:15
▶Stories from touring and performing in front of massive crowds0:48:00
▶Tony discusses aging as a skateboarder and how he approaches the sport differently now1:02:30

The Show

Joe Rogan sits down with Tony Hawk, one of the most influential athletes in sports history, for a conversation that touches on his incredible career spanning multiple decades. Tony breaks down how he got into skateboarding as a kid and the unique dynamic with his parents who actually supported his pursuit of what many considered a fringe activity. The conversation goes deep into the technical and mental aspects of skateboarding, with Tony explaining the progression of tricks and the mindset required to push boundaries.

One of the highlights is Tony recounting the story of landing the first-ever 900, a trick that seemed impossible before he pulled it off. He describes the obsession, the countless attempts, and the moment everything clicked. This conversation naturally leads into discussing how the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater video game franchise transformed skateboarding from a niche activity into mainstream culture. Tony acknowledges how the games introduced millions of people to skating and actually helped grow the sport exponentially.

Throughout the episode, Tony shares stories from his touring days, performing in front of massive crowds, and the evolution of skateboarding competitions and culture. He talks about the pressure of being the best while also dealing with the physical toll of constantly pushing new limits. Joe and Tony discuss how Tony has managed to stay relevant and active well into his career, continuing to skate and evolve rather than rest on his accomplishments.

The conversation also touches on Tony's perspective on aging as an athlete, injury prevention, and how he approaches skateboarding differently now compared to when he was younger. Tony maintains a philosophical approach to his career and the sport, seeing skateboarding as a lifestyle rather than just a career. The episode showcases why Tony Hawk is respected not just as an athlete but as someone who fundamentally changed what was possible in his sport.

Best Quotes

“My parents were supportive of skateboarding when literally no one else thought it was a real thing”

— Tony Hawk