This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Tony Hawk, in partnership with Qunol. It has been edited for length and clarity.
My wife and I enjoy any opportunity to have our kids around, now that they’re mostly in their 20s and 30s. Our youngest is going to college next month.
There’s so much trial and error with parenting. And all the kids are different. Some of mine have natural talent for skating, but they don’t have the daredevil in them. Others have this crazy daredevil gene, but don’t always have the experience to back it up. You have to know how they’re different, and adjust your parenting accordingly.
You also gain experience over time. My wife and I together have ushered five kids into adulthood. So, it comes more naturally, raising our youngest. Though, I still haven’t figured out how to get her to clean her room. I’m concerned for her future college roommate.
Being a grandparent — that’s different. My grandson is almost two. I understand why people gush about being grandparents now. You get to be fun, not just the fun police.
I’ve gotten better about protecting family time
It was difficult to be an efficient parent to my kids while being a businessman and an athlete. I did my best through the years. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned to be better at prioritizing my time. That made me more effective with my career, but also more available to my kids and now, my grandchild.
That was definitely a choice I had to make. It sounds ludicrous, because I’m fighting for my own time. But it’s hard when people are constantly offering you opportunities and experiences. A trip to New York or a premiere seems fantastic, but at some point, you start losing yourself in all those opportunities.
I’ve realized there’s empowerment in being able to say no. These days, I think about the impact of an opportunity before taking it. What will the benefit be, not for me, but for skating as a whole? It’s not about the biggest paycheck — it’s about using my voice in the best way.
These days, every ollie is a gift
I fell into being an entrepreneur. It wasn’t something I was seeking, but it’s something I enjoy. Like skating, there’s a lot of risk. There might be a big payoff. Or, there might be failure and pain along the way. Either way, at the end of it, you’re going to have learned something.
My risk management has changed as I’ve gotten older. When I’m skating, I think about the risk versus the reward. I’m not doing big aerial spinning moves anymore, because the risk is too great. Instead, I focus on complicated techniques and tricks.
Those give me more of a thrill than big air. For a long time, I took my ability for granted. Now that I’m 58, every ollie is a gift. The fact that I can still do this is such a treat. It means more than it used to, as I approach 60, and I’m super thankful for that.
The little moments matter more these days
I’m so happy to still be in movement. Outside of skating, I’ve started weightlifting and stretching. I didn’t do those extracurricular exercises for years of my career, but now I can see how important they are.
That’s why I’ve partnered with Qunol for this Move Like A Champion campaign. You don’t have to be a professional skater. As you get older, you just want to keep moving, whether that’s dancing, walking your dog, or chasing after your grandkid, like me. Play is important, too. That’s what keeps you young, and keeps your mental health in check.
Recently, I was at the beach with my family, just tossing the Frisbee with my kids. Hearing them laugh and goof around — diving into the sand — that means so much. It’s those little moments that I idealize these days: when everyone I love is together, moving, in sync, and having fun.
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