#33 Tony Hawk’s Mindset: Grinding to Greatness On & Off the Board

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 industryFrom 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:⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠⁠Listen on Apple:⁠ ⁠Apple⁠⁠Watch & Listen on YouTube:⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠Buy 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/⁠⁠ Chapters00:00 The Journey to the 90000:56 Introduction to Tony Hawk04:24 Tony Hawk's Early Life and Family Influence05:52 The Emergence of a Skateboarding Passion16:20 From Curiosity to Identity in Skateboarding20:04 The Role of Environment and Support in Success22:50 The Foundation of Greatness24:07 Managing Nerves and Expectations25:40 The Importance of Team Support26:54 Skateboarding as a Lifeline28:20 The Role of Parental Support32:39 The Evolution of Skateboarding Competitions36:14 The Impact of Fame and Success41:41 The Pressure of Expectations46:41 The Rise of Street Skating48:30 The Evolution of Skateboarding49:19 The Boom and Bust Cycle of Skateboarding50:45 Personal Struggles Amidst Industry Changes52:36 The Unseen Challenges of Fame54:24 The Arrival of the X Games56:19 The Impact of the X Games on Tony Hawk56:55 Navigating Fame and Expectations58:59 The 900: A Historic Moment in Skateboarding01:01:40 Retirement and New Beginnings01:02:37 The Launch of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater01:03:40 Reflections on a Skateboarding CareerIn this episode, you’ll learn: