Through skateboarding, I have an open line of communication, some common ground and common ground is big man. That enables me to travel around the world and no matter where I am, or who I'm with, connect with other young people, and I can have an instant dialogue and an instant relationship based on the fact that we skateboard, and when I'm doing appearances and demos, that's not lost on me.

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.

Through getting sponsored and becoming a part of the Bones Brigade and Powell Peralta, doors were being opened. The entire culture was shifting from ramps to street, and I sort of became a poster child for that.

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 strive to do my best every single time and I think that's something the skate community knows about me and appreciates.

Everything that I'm really about is being an individualist. I believe in individuality.