I don't like to get too involved in the idea that "I'm a role model" and that everything I do is right. I don't think that's the case at all, but I think who I am at my core, and what I represent at my core, is something that is meaningful, and can be something that other people can gain inspiration from.

I feel like the best thing, as far as what I do with kids, is I treat them like human beings.

I don't see masses, I don't see it like, oh there's hundreds of people here and I'm overwhelmed. I just try to think, well I could be a kid in that crowd, or my daughters could be in that crowd, and no one wants to feel like they're just part of the masses.

Where I'm coming from is that nothing I do is from a sense of obligation.

I'm not going to beat somebody up for talking smack to me, especially another skater.

I'm not out here on the front lines trying to create clones, or consumers, or worshippers of who I am, and what I do. I'm trying to nurture the idea that you should do your own thing, which is really powerful.

I grew up with heroes, people who made me aspire to raise my game, to dream bigger and I like to keep it that simple.