What does it take to redefine a sport, push the limits of what’s possible, and sustain greatness for decades?

Tony Hawk is synonymous with skateboarding—his name transcends the sport much like Michael Jordan in basketball or Tiger Woods in golf. But behind the cultural icon is a relentless innovator, a fearless competitor, and an entrepreneur who weathered the boom-and-bust cycles of an entire industry.

In Hawk: Occupation: Skateboarder, Tony Hawk takes us through his remarkable journey—from a restless kid with a high IQ and even higher energy to a world champion, business mogul, and action sports pioneer. His story is one of persistence, reinvention, and an unshakable belief in the value of doing things differently.

Join Dr. Duncan Simpson and Dr. Greg Young as they dive into the mindset, strategies, and habits that propelled Hawk to the top and kept him there.

✅ How curiosity—not instant passion—can lead to mastery

✅ Why an unconventional upbringing shaped Hawk’s resilience and creativity

✅ The power of preparation, visualization, and strategy in competition

✅ How he navigated the pressure of being the face of a sport

✅ What his historic 900 moment reveals about persistence and peak performance

✅ The reality of boom-and-bust cycles in sports and business

✅ How he transformed skateboarding from a subculture to a global industry

From pioneering tricks that were once deemed impossible to surviving financial struggles and redefining his career after retirement, Tony Hawk’s story is packed with insights on adaptability, pressure management, and long-term success.

Whether you're an athlete, entrepreneur, or simply fascinated by high performers, this episode will leave you inspired to embrace reinvention and chase your own holy sht moment*.

Listen on Spotify:⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠⁠

Listen on Apple:⁠ ⁠Apple⁠⁠

Watch & Listen on YouTube:⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠

Buy the book: Hawk 

Socials:

⁠⁠Instagram⁠ - @Performerspod⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/performerspod/⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠Linkedin - Duncan⁠ Simpson⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/duncan-simpson-ph-d-cmpc-76244b1a/⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠Linkedin - Greg Young⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-young-ph-d-cmpc-64765a35/⁠⁠ 

Chapters

00:00 The Journey to the 900

00:56 Introduction to Tony Hawk

04:24 Tony Hawk's Early Life and Family Influence

05:52 The Emergence of a Skateboarding Passion

16:20 From Curiosity to Identity in Skateboarding

20:04 The Role of Environment and Support in Success

22:50 The Foundation of Greatness

24:07 Managing Nerves and Expectations

25:40 The Importance of Team Support

26:54 Skateboarding as a Lifeline

28:20 The Role of Parental Support

32:39 The Evolution of Skateboarding Competitions

36:14 The Impact of Fame and Success

41:41 The Pressure of Expectations

46:41 The Rise of Street Skating

48:30 The Evolution of Skateboarding

49:19 The Boom and Bust Cycle of Skateboarding

50:45 Personal Struggles Amidst Industry Changes

52:36 The Unseen Challenges of Fame

54:24 The Arrival of the X Games

56:19 The Impact of the X Games on Tony Hawk

56:55 Navigating Fame and Expectations

58:59 The 900: A Historic Moment in Skateboarding

01:01:40 Retirement and New Beginnings

01:02:37 The Launch of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater

01:03:40 Reflections on a Skateboarding Career

In this episode, you’ll learn: