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

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

There's a lot of time when skaters think they know everything because they've seen videos of you, and seen you on TV or the internet, and there's ways of throwing jabs and being inconsiderate and not having your manners.

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

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

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