EP015 - Gabrielle Brownfield

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.Chapters00:00 Opening Credits and Music00:15 Welcome Gabrielle Brownfield from Ohio01:11 Early Beginnings in Skateboarding and the Influence ofHer Dad06:05 The Importance of Allowing Kids to Have Fun07:37 Pressure in Skate Contests14:43 Adult Skate Buds and Mentors as a Kid19:33 Influence of Lance Mountain and Her First Invert21:20 Building Their At-Home Bowl24:33 Hosting the Midwest Betty Bowl Jam27:19 Skating and Meeting People at FDR Queen of the Park29:57 Local Skate Community in Ohio33:09 Dropping In on Vert for the First Time34:42 Skatepark Etiquette for Kids39:50 Contest Experience at Exposure and Combi46:02 Perfecting Tricks and the Importance ofStyle47:36 Navigating Personal Challenges and Confidence49:30 Learning Leadership from Her Dad and Family Support51:33 An Amazing Skater... and Artist!53:19 Designing Wheel Art for Speedlab54:35 Riding for American Nomad55:16 Welfare Line and Bill Danforth56:07 Eric Dressen and Jim Gray Visit the Bowl57:33 Amazing Mature Skaters and Gabby's Thoughts on Skating Into Her 60s58:29 Gabby's History in the Underground Skate Scene59:41 Meeting a Young Ruby Lilley01:01:04 Going to Queen of the Park and Judging01:04:10 Beyond Competition - Opportunities for Girls Today01:06:04 Skating as a Grown-Up, There's a Difference01:08:04 Embracing Diversity in Body Types01:11:17 Mental Health and the Stress of Event Organizing01:16:27 Planning Future Midwest Bowl Jams01:20:22 Dream Skate Session01:21:36 End Credits and Music