Carving It Out: Women's Skate Stories

Canadian Olympic skater and women’s sport advocate Annie Guglia shares her journey from borrowing her brother’s skateboard to representing Canada in the Olympics and as president of Canada Skateboard. Learn more about Annie’s inspiring journey and her insights on building community, creating more opportunities for girls and women, and empowering the next generation of female skaters. You can follow Annie on Instagram at nnieguglia.

Chapters

00:15 Introduction to Annie Guglia

00:51 Getting Started as a Skater

03:11 The Endless Possibilities of Skateboarding

05:00 Passion for Skating Over Other Sports

06:34 Annie's Training Routine

09:27 How the Olympics Have Transformed Skateboarding

12:07 The Secret Language of Skaters

12:16 The Changing Landscape of Women's Skateboarding

13:01 The Olympics as Pathway to Sport

13:39 The Importance of Being an All-Around Athlete

14:54 Challenges for Young Female Athletes

15:44 Extreme Youth in Olympic Sport

18:58 Role Models Through Social Media Today

21:08 Finding Ways to Keep Teen Girls Skating

24:42 Closing the Performance Gap

25:41 The Importance of Community and Belonging

27:58 Equity vs. Equality in Sports

31:34 How the Media Covers Women's Skating

36:29 More Interest in Women's Sports

37:34 Different Approaches for Coaching Women vs. Men

39:20 New Opportunities for Girl Skaters in Media and Ads

41:43 Importance of Health to Be Your Best Self

44:25 Annie's Canada Skateboard Leadership

48:26 A Passion for Leadership in Everything

51:05 Involvement with the Skirtboarders

52:52 The Impact of Community and Mentorship

55:29 Tech Deck Start Pushing Program

57:57 Creating Accessible Skateboarding Programs

58:25 What's Next for Annie

01:00:50 Rapid Fire Questions

01:04:20 Inspiring the Next Generation of Girl Skaters

01:06:44 Closing Credits and Music

Florida skater and digital creator Elise Crigar talks about her role as a sports marketer and advocate for women’s skate sports. Elise shares her insights on Florida and California skate culture, the evolution of the industry and empowering the next generation of female skaters through the reach of social media. Keep up with Elise at elise_crigar on Instagram.

Chapters

00:00 Opening Credits and Music

00:15 Intro to Elise and Early Days of Skating

01:41 Inspired by Skate and Surf Magazines

03:26 Fostering the Creative Spirit from an Early Age

04:57 Encouraged by Skater Friends

05:34 The Stoke of Connecting with Another Skater Girl

08:05 Having a Front Seat to the Evolution of Girls' Skateboarding

10:20 Connecting with Cindy Whitehead to Create 'It's Not About Pretty' Book

14:20 Designing the Smithsonian Skateboarding Book

15:26 Dreams Come True-Living in California

18:18 Working at Octagon Agency in Sports Marketing and Social Media

21:04 Working Skate Trips Into Work Travel

22:36 Skateboarding as a Superpower

25:19 Mentoring Opportunities in Sports Marketing

28:39 Return to Florida and Current Skate Scene

32:35 Loving Nora's Board as Current Skate Setup

33:46 Warm-Up and Health as a Mature Skater

37:08 Favorite Tricks

38:33 The Positive Effects of Social Media on Girls' Skateboarding

41:26 LA 2028 Dreams

42:33 Dream Skatepark Features

43:51 Dream Skate Sesh Partner

45:36 Advice for Supporting Girls' Skateboarding

47:16 Closing Credits and Music

Inspiring skate photographer and activist Norma Ibarra shares her journey from a shy schoolgirl in Mexico to a globally recognized skate photographer and community organizer in Canada and beyond. Discover Norma’s insights on the importance of representation, community, travel, and how skateboarding transformed her life. See Norma’s work at normaibarra.com and follow her adventures on Instagram at @lapir0.

Chapters

00:00 Opening Credits and Music

00:15 Intro to Norma

00:58 Establishing Roots in Canada and Adopting a Nomadic Lifestyle

04:40 Spending Time in Mexico and the U Can Skate Community

05:55 A Heart for Activism and Discovering the Skate Community Through the Lens

09:29 Shooting the Women's Skate Groups in Canada

11:57 Transition from Shy Girl to Confident Skate Photographer and Activist

16:06 The Importance of a Support System

17:47 From Mexico to Canada, an Adventure!

23:12 Gratitude to the Skate Community During Mom's Time of Need

27:40 Inspiring Young Skaters in Mexico

28:59 Finding a Welcome Home in the Skate Community

31:50 Representation Matters in Skateboarding

35:49 An Impressive Client List and Memorable Photoshoots

37:58 Travel to Bolivia with ImiliaSkate

39:26 Worldwide Recognition for Her Work

40:13 Olympic Dreams

42:44 The Importance of Women Behind the Lens

44:56 WOF Experiences

46:49 Celebrating the New Generation While Honoring the Pioneers

49:52 Recognition and Awards in the Skate Community

52:08 Looking Behind the Scenes on Social Media

53:08 Finding Balance: Rest and Recovery

54:42 Photo Gear Norma Uses (A Canon Girl!)

56:27 Dream Collaborations and Future Projects

58:40 Embracing Her Inner Fan When Photographing Pros

01:00:22 Advice for Stepping Out of Comfort Zones

01:02:50 Closing Credits and Music

Megan Faber, ATC, LAT, is a certified athletic trainer who specializes in helping skaters stay healthy, progress faster and extend their careers through strength training and injury management. Megan reignited her childhood love of skateboarding serving skaters at Woodward West and now provides Florida skaters and athletes with high-level performance training and injury prevention strategies. Explore Megan’s training videos and injury assessments on Instagram at @actionsportsatc.

Medical Disclaimer:
The content of this podcast episode is provided for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or podcast. Listening to this episode does not create a provider–patient relationship. Always seek the advice of a qualified, licensed healthcare professional regarding any medical condition, injury, or treatment decisions. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking care because of something you have heard on this podcast.

Chapters

00:00 Opening Credits and Music

00:34 Intro to Megan Faber, ATC, LAT

01:22 Discovering a Passion for Athletic Training

03:05 Education and Training Required for Athletic Training

05:32 Camp Woodward Experience

07:46 The Importance of Rest and Rehab After Injury

10:05 Importance of Strength Training for Skaters

12:44 Advice for Young Skaters and Parents

14:40 Gender Differences in Skateboarding Injuries

17:17 Strength and Flexibility for Mature Skaters

20:45 Taking Time to Rehab and Recover

22:19 Megan Following in Her Big Brother's Footsteps

24:12 Best Supplies to Keep in Your Backpack to Combat Injury

25:28 Understanding Compression and Support Gear

26:48 The Role of Ice in Injury Recovery (Not What You Think!)

28:28 Elevation and Anti-Inflammatories

29:45 Ankle Sprain Recovery vs. Break

33:25 Recognizing When to Rest

34:52 Taking Care of Your Body as a Skater

35:45 Athletic Training Resources for Skaters

36:52 Considering Athletic Training as a Career

38:27 Closing Credits and Music

Nora Baker grew up in a skateboarding family and is now making a name for herself as a member of Leo Baker’s Tacky Joy Factory team. Skating out of Fort Collins, Colorado, Nora shares her experiences of skating contests, filming video parts, and making the decision to transition from a big skateboard company to a startup company, where she feels more seen and heard. Episode 001 guest and friend Olivia Torres stops by the podcast to say hello and share some fun stories from Exposure 2025, too. Keep up with Nora on Instagram at @norathenorwal and watch her skate career continue to grow.

Chapters

00:00 Opening Credits and Music

00:15 Introduction to Nora Baker and Skating in Snowy Colorado

01:57 Nora's Beginnings in Skateboarding

02:54 A Long History of Skating in the Baker Family

03:59 Getting Started and Learning Tricks

06:21 Favorite Style of Skating

06:45 Skate Scene in Fort Collins, CO

07:38 Handling the Stress of Hitting New Parks

08:54 Getting Used to Skating with Other Girls

10:18 Challenging Herself to Talk to Other People

11:09 Hanging Out with Florida Friends at Exposure

12:13 Thoughts on Moving to Cali for Skating

12:52 Past Travel to California for Contests & Filming

14:10 Skating Contests

14:55 Olivia Torres Joins the Convo

16:35 Fun (and Embarrassing) Moments at Exposure 2025

18:40 Nora's Sponsors

21:26 Filming Video Part for Tacky Joy

23:13 Nora's Filmers

24:08 Not Eating on Filming Days

25:43 New York Premiere of Welcome to the Circus

28:04 Nora's Skate Style (and Questionable Music Choices)

29:30 Additional Sponsor Shoutouts

32:29 Attending Wheels of Fortune

33:45 Pros Who Inspire Nora

36:17 Best Ways to Continue to Grow Girls' Skating

39:15 Balancing Life and Skating

40:26 New Work Opportunities in Caregiving

43:31 Advice for New Skaters

44:23 How Parents Can Support Young Skaters

45:53 Future Projects and Video Parts

48:18 Designing the Perfect Skate Park

48:44 Favorite Tricks to Land

49:16 Dream Skate Sessions with Legends

49:55 Wrap Up and Goodbye

51:40 End Credits and Music

Mazel Paris is a talented 11-year-old skater from California who is proud to represent Team Philippines in international skateboarding competitions. In Episode 17 of Carving it Out, we chat with Mazel about discovering skateboarding at age 5 and quickly progressing to one of the best young bowl and vert skaters today. Mazel emphasizes the significance of having fun while competing and offers more great advice to young skaters who may be inspired to become competitors. Follow Mazel’s skate adventures on Instagram at @mazelparis.

Chapters

00:00 Opening Credits and Music

00:15 Welcome Mazel Paris and Goals for New Year

02:19 Discovering Skateboarding at Age 5

03:20 From Beginning Skater to Super Skater!

04:01 Pushing Herself Mentally

04:39 How Mazel Learns Her Tricks

06:22 Discovering a Love of Park and Vert

07:27 So Many Parks to Skate and Learn in Cali

08:36 Representing Team Philippines

09:35 Winning Gold at SEA Games

11:16 Winning at Exposure and Hyping the Crowd

12:47 Being a Part of Girl is Not a 4-Letter Word

13:53 What She Likes Best About Contests

14:55 What's Most Challenging About Contests

15:56 Skating Contests in the Future, Including the Olympics

16:21 Filming Her First Video Part, This is Eleven

17:39 Mazel's Long List of Sponsors

18:23 Working with Sponsors

19:02 Mazel's Current Board Setup

19:58 Traveling with a Skateboard

21:26 Managing Middle School and Skating Around the World

23:07 Skating and Training Schedule (and a Mini Microwave!)

24:27 Handling Boys Who Give Her Grief at the Park

25:13 Mazel's Skate Crew & Favorite Skateparks

25:53 Tricks She's Currently Working On

26:59 Preparing for Competition at SEA Games

29:23 Listening to Music While Skating

30:06 Skater Tanlines

31:51 Social Media for Fun and Friendship

33:24 Supporting Sponsors on Social

34:18 Working with Vogue Magazine

35:12 Using Prayer to Connect, Focus and Calm

36:13 Growing Girls' Skateboarding

37:42 Advice to Parents of Skater Girls

38:48 Advice to a Girls Trying Skateboarding for the First Time

39:18 Skate Inspirations

40:37 Working With Coaches

41:33 Mazel's Dream Skatepark Features

43:15 Favorite Trick to Do When's She's Having a Rough Day

43:45 Dream Session Skaters

44:33 Mazel's Shoutouts

45:32 Wrap-Up and Thank You!

45:56 End Credits and Music

Audrey Faison is the founder of Concrete Queenz, a nonprofit organization aimed at empowering girls of color in South Los Angeles through skateboarding. In this episode, Audrey shares her path from middle school teacher to community organizer and nonprofit leader, highlighting the importance of mentorship and community support in fostering confidence in young girls. Prepare to be inspired by Audrey’s passion for youth and be sure to follow her nonprofit on Instagram at @concretequeenz.

Chapters

00:00 Opening Credits and Music

00:15 Intro to Audrey and Concrete Queenz

02:57 Audrey's Journey: Play at the Heart of Everything

04:51 The Importance of Community and Mentorship

06:34 How Audrey Discovered Skateboarding

10:14 Moving to LA to Begin a Teaching Career and Integrating Skateboarding

13:21 Recruiting Girls for the In-School Skate Program

15:35 Founding the Non-Profit, Concrete Queenz

18:48 Taking Risks and Going All-In on Concrete Queenz

21:30 Learning to Run a Non-Profit

23:49 Mindful Branding and Paying Homage to Community

25:29 Daily Operations and Programming Concrete Queenz

28:17 Skatepark Field Trips to Expand Horizons

30:15 Building Connections and Friendships

31:29 Audrey Skates Exposure and Leads by Example

32:50 Concrete Queenz for Life: Staying Connected

34:56 Tracking Student Success

36:49 The Importance of Play in Education

38:57 The Volunteers of Concrete Queenz

40:57 Role Models with Diverse Backgrounds Beyond Skating

41:58 Bringing Your Unique Self to Every Idea

44:32 Navigating Responsibility and Trust through Skateboarding

46:55 Finding Opportunities for Girls to Expand Skills

48:37 Overcoming Fears and Finding Empowerment in Skateboarding

51:37 Parental Support

53:31 Confidence in Skateboarding and in Life

55:05 Future Aspirations: Expanding the Program and Its Impact

01:00:57 How to Support Concrete Queenz

01:02:49 Quick Questions for Audrey About Her Skating

01:04:26 Tips for Aspiring Skaters and Wrap-Up

01:05:39 End Credits and Music

Gabrielle Brownfield grew up skateboarding with her dad and has been a big part of the Ohio skate scene for most of her life. As a young adult, Gabby had the opportunity to take part in several high-profile skate competitions in California, including Combi and Exposure. In this episode, she shares her experience with competitive skateboarding, self-confidence and skating as an adult. She also talks about the amazing backyard bowl that she built with her dad and herhusband, Nic. In 2025, her family hosted their first Midwest Betty Bowl Jam, inviting female and LGTBQ+ skateboarders and quad skaters from around the country. Get to know Gabrielle Brownfield and follow her at @imjustgabs on Instagram.

Chapters

00:00 Opening Credits and Music

00:15 Welcome Gabrielle Brownfield from Ohio

01:11 Early Beginnings in Skateboarding and the Influence ofHer Dad

06:05 The Importance of Allowing Kids to Have Fun

07:37 Pressure in Skate Contests

14:43 Adult Skate Buds and Mentors as a Kid

19:33 Influence of Lance Mountain and Her First Invert

21:20 Building Their At-Home Bowl

24:33 Hosting the Midwest Betty Bowl Jam

27:19 Skating and Meeting People at FDR Queen of the Park

29:57 Local Skate Community in Ohio

33:09 Dropping In on Vert for the First Time

34:42 Skatepark Etiquette for Kids

39:50 Contest Experience at Exposure and Combi

46:02 Perfecting Tricks and the Importance ofStyle

47:36 Navigating Personal Challenges and Confidence

49:30 Learning Leadership from Her Dad and Family Support

51:33 An Amazing Skater... and Artist!

53:19 Designing Wheel Art for Speedlab

54:35 Riding for American Nomad

55:16 Welfare Line and Bill Danforth

56:07 Eric Dressen and Jim Gray Visit the Bowl

57:33 Amazing Mature Skaters and Gabby's Thoughts on Skating Into Her 60s

58:29 Gabby's History in the Underground Skate Scene

59:41 Meeting a Young Ruby Lilley

01:01:04 Going to Queen of the Park and Judging

01:04:10 Beyond Competition - Opportunities for Girls Today

01:06:04 Skating as a Grown-Up, There's a Difference

01:08:04 Embracing Diversity in Body Types

01:11:17 Mental Health and the Stress of Event Organizing

01:16:27 Planning Future Midwest Bowl Jams

01:20:22 Dream Skate Session

01:21:36 End Credits and Music

Natalie Porter is a skateboarder and author, who uses herlibrarian superpowers to curate and maintain the Womxn Skateboard History (https://womxnskatehistory.ca/)website, the most comprehensive database of female skaters from the 1940s to 2010s. She has compiled a select group of skate stories into her new book, ‘Girl Gangs, Zines and Powerslides’, released in September 2025. This discussion highlights Natalie’s early beginnings in skateboarding, the challenges faced by women in the sport, and the significance of community building among female skaters. It’s a delightful conversation that highlights the importance we all play in preserving history and creating community in skating.

Chapters

00:00 Opening Credits and Music

00:15 Intro to Skateboarding Librarian, Natalie Porter

01:44 Natalie's Skateboarding Background and EarlyInfluences

03:36 The Importance of Having a Girl Network of Skaters

05:43 The Genesis of Documenting Women's Skateboarding

10:04 Initial Reception of Natalie's Book, Girl Gangs, Zinesand Powerslides

12:34 The Importance of Sharing Women's Stories

17:42 Highlighting Matriarchs in Skateboarding History

18:41 How Natalie Found Skaters Through Research

22:58 Historical Context of Women's Skateboarding for GirlsToday

24:10 The Importance of Sharing Heavy Topics

25:58 Sharing Lived Moments in Skating

27:04 History of the Girls' Meetups

29:56 The Role of Zines in Community Building

32:03 Role of Skate Shops in Connecting Girls and Women

34:06 Best Ways to Preserve Our Own Memories

38:03 The Importance of Legacy in Local Skate Communities

41:12 The Impact of Events Like Exposure

43:46 Celebrating Connections with Skate Icons

47:49 Finding Our Way in Skating Through Different Roles

51:02 Natalie's Return to Skating in Her 40's

55:52 Womxnskatehistory Website Archive

56:46 Work with the Smithsonian

57:29 Just Say YES to Opportunity

58:21 Where to Pick Up Natalie's New Book

59:50 Advice for New Skaters

01:01:13 End Credits and Music

After her appearance in EP12, Grace Marhoefer turns thetables on hosts Heather Jennier and Paula MacDonald and interviews them, learning more about their journey in skateboarding, creating the podcast and empowering women in the skate community. Laugh along with Heather and Paula while Grace takes the mic in this special episode!

Chapters

00:00 Opening Credits & Music

00:15 How did you meet?

01:33 Why did you want to start the podcast?

03:27 Grace shares how important having a platform like thisis

07:35 How long have you been in Florida?

09:11 Who are your skateboarding idols?

11:43 What do you like to do in your free time?

18:00 Do you like any other sports?

22:04 Do you have any pets?

23:10 What are your favorite skate industry brands?

25:19 What are your dream tricks?

26:47 Grace is ready to help teach some old dogs new tricks!

27:59 End Credits & Music