Tony Hawk inspiring us for 72 minutes straight
Skateboarding icon Tony Hawk joins Sam Parr and Shaan Puri to discuss the trajectory of his career, from scraping by during skateboarding's downturn in the early 1990s to landing the historic 900 and building a global brand. Hawk details turning down a $500,000 buyout for Activision's Pro Skater royalties, managing his investment portfolio and businesses like Birdhouse, and adapting his physical routines to continue skating near age 60.
- Tony Hawk made six figures as a teenager in the late 1980s, bought two houses, and then watched his monthly income drop by half repeatedly during the 1991 skateboarding downturn. Read →
- Tony Hawk insisted on full creative control and beta testing with hardcore skaters before signing his deal with Activision. Read →
- Tony Hawk founded Birdhouse Skateboards in 1992 during an industry downturn, keeping it alive through lean periods by subsidizing team rider salaries with external licensing revenue. Read →
- Tony Hawk broke his femur and rushed back onto his board too early, causing the bone to shift out of place around a titanium rod and requiring a full surgical reset. Read →
- Tony Hawk spent a full decade failing to complete the 900 before landing the trick at the 1999 X Games. Read →
- Tony Hawk built The Skatepark Project into an engine that has funded and helped create nearly 1,000 public skateparks across underserved communities since 2002. Read →