When I got sponsored, it symbolized a major change and a major shift in skateboarding.

I understand that these people are all there to see me ride, that that's why they're in the building, and whether I have ten people, or a thousand people come out to see me, they still came out to see me, and I take that to heart.

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

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

I desire to have a dialogue that's positive, and communicative and moves forward, and is about something real, not just consumption.

If I signed a contract that meant someone else wouldn't be playing.

I don't want to be an object of consumption. I like to get out there and participate because I care about it. It's not because I've gotten filthy rich off the hides of young skaters that I feel some sickening obligation to act on, and make myself look like I'm not that bad of a guy. It's because I actually care.