@@heavydynamics8128 there will always be hope available in what is a very shitty world, if you have the courage to search for it you will be fulfilled by things you never thought you would be able to have. Or would be available to you.
"When I see people with success, I see boredom.......when you get what you thought you wanted, the fire goes away......just find joy in what you do for the sake of it, and recognize how your being shaped in the process and hopefully you become a better man because of it." If y'all ain't feeling that then I dont know what the fuck your doing with your life, Im writing that down and posting it on the wall in my room.
I’m a professional musician starting writing music for the labels I always wanted to, and lost the passion somewhere along the way...... after this interview I played guitar for 3 hours with no purpose..... I just played..... thank you Rodney. Best interview ever
Treat yourself and watch the documentary on the Bones Brigade. You dont have to be a skater for it to affect you. Rodney and the guys were pioneers...they were cavemen in a spaceship.
Skateboarding is painted with a negative stereotype. You will find that many skaters are very creative, intelligent and spiritual. Skateboarding is more than just a sport or a hobby, its a way for you to be creative and express yourself in a way that is unique and totally you. Its incredible how a piece of wood, metal and wheels can change your life and bring happiness while taking you to places you never thought you would go. Im sure its the same for some other sports as well but there is definitely something special about skateboarding.
Jesus Christ what a mind! Complete philosopher yet extremely vulnerable & dramatic. I loved this interview because nowadays you don’t really see people expose everything they are. He’s so genuine & that touches my soul. God bless you Brother!
You probably don't have bad intentions and maybe don't realize it, but please don't take Our Lord's Name in vain. Have a good day. PS Rodney Mullen is the man!
@@RapidCycling07 Don't tell other people what to do. It creates a very bad name for Christians, and you're causing more harm than good. Your moral obligation is to obey that rule yourself, not to try and force other people to obey it.
Rodney Mullen is a huge dork but he forced the world to accept him through his dedication and skill. He was never trying to be cool he was just trying to be Rodney Mullen. So he's not really cool in the classic sense but he is zen af and an absolute visionary
I have never heard him speak before and wasn't expecting him to be so soft spoken. He speaks like a philosophy professor or an introverted genius, not a loud mouth, ego driven know-it-all like some athletes. This interview really spoke to me, especially the part about his personal identity to his sport. Such an inspiring story.
Pretty sure, He has Asperger's and most of what he saying is really him rambling incessantly and thinking very hard about something that would otherwise sound trivial if described "normally". He has way of sounding very soft at the same time as constantly making things get serious. It really draws you in and creates an illusion of things as being more extreme than they really are in reality. It's really is just his own rambling stream of consciousness though. LMAO
I kept waiting for the gold to stop spewing out of Rodney's mouth so I could pause and go make supper, but it just never happened. This dude's awesome.
A true word smith. "I'm honored and fortunate that I came when there was a blank canvas and so I'm given credit, thank you - I appreciate it, I do. but the joy I get, that i could create some of the vocabulary for others to express themselves.. that gives me a connectedness. I think a lot of skaters are outsiders, I think a lot of us are outsiders, even at least in some way."
"Skaters, I think they tend to be outsiders. Who seek a sense of belonging, but belonging on their own terms" another one of his outsiders quotes that always hits me very different.
I’ve got a severe foot deformation and I’m trying to learn to skate. I’ve been in love with skating for my entire life and I’m finally done with sitting on my ass watching skate vids and hanging up boards on my wall. Rodney is my inspiration and I’m 16 so I’ve got a lot left in the tank. Love you Rodney!
Use it to your advantage! I’ve seen some people before that had unique disabilities and pulled of some insane tricks that nobody else could. Your imagination is the only limit!
Relaxed? He is really nervous with people and being in the spotlight. When he was younger he was crippled with shyness and could not talk to people at all. It's awesome to hear him open up, but I wouldn't say he's relaxed.
28:12: "ultimately, i just want to be a good man, you know?". Can you name the last nobel prize winners and olympians right ? but you can name the 5th grade teacher that believed in you. The people that you touch singularly.. that's a bigger test in a way"
kristin sullivan I like how you can tell he takes time, pause, and then speaks so he doesn’t waste words he completes the thought before he says it. It takes a lot to do thatz
It's not everyday you hear someone be so honest and vulnerable and self-deprecating. If I didn't know who he was I might be uncomfortable or call him an "over-sharer"
I agree man, I loved watching him but definitely as an adult I love listening to him wish I would have heard it 10 years earlier, he's always been so wise and humble
society usually make fun of autistic people when these people got amazing mind.they just learn things differently.a lot of pioneer and inventor are autistic or similar spectrum.
Everytime mullen talks it inspires me. My favorite quote of his is "Skaters, I think they tend to be outsiders. Who seek a sense of belonging, but belonging in their own terms" that's always hit me hard
The passion you can hear in his voice, the focus on what’s real and what actually matters in life, the openness of his pain... just legendary! So inspiring and refreshing in a world focused largely on vanity and material wealth! Bless you Mr. Mullen, May you skate on into eternity! 🤙🏼
hes had it. he doesnt like the lime light attention. ..i can totally respect that. skateboarding is a artform and some choose to do it for themselves, not to gain recognition.
This episode honestly hit me so deep. What he said in the end summed it up so greatly. To just do things for the sake of doing them and watch how they shape you. That impacted me so much to just wanna go out and enjoy the process with what I’m doing not for trophies, awards or recognition, but to do it because I wanna be a better man and person and have some kind of impact on someone and be able to connect with them. Truly beautiful episode and very incredible man. Thank you Tom for being just as real by getting to his level and asking the questions you did. It also showed how real and down to earth you truly are.
It's true, though. I spend more time worrying about who or what I am rather than just doing things and mastering them. Until you try your best you'll never know what you even really want.
One of his best quotes is "There's an intrinsic value in creating something for the sake of creating it." I'm not one for writing quotes down or displaying them, but that is stamped on my brain ever since I heard it. Dude's an inspiration in so many ways.
Rodney Mullen voice give me such a strong feeling of "everything will be alright". Everything happens through pain and you cannot run from it are 2 iron rules of our existence. The best thing we can do is to understand pain, accept it and change our perspective about it -> from something to avoid to something we have to experience if we want a successful process.
Yes!! You described it perfectly. I wasn't sure what I felt while listening, but it was exactly like "it will be alright,don;t worry". I got emotional few times... great guest!
It's super rare to see someone so passioned about the process, about what he is offering to the world. He basically changed the entire show because I think Tom asked 3 maybe 4 questions including the last one about the impact.
I've noticed that too. I didn't even notice it was the end of the show, because Tom said almost nothing. Amazing! 3-4 questions, but so much value! Only Tom can do it
I'm not sure I fully agree. I think his life story means to not be ashamed of pain. If I understand you correctly you say that pain shouldn't be avoided. But I disagree. Pain exists to tell us what to avoid. Rodney talks about two pains from what I understood. The pain from family during childhood. And the pain from his hip. In both cases he didn't consciously choose those pains. If I'm not mistaken what he did was to use the pain for his own benefit ONCE he had no other choice. He said he was desparate. I don't think it's a good idea to get into desperate situations on purpose to become the greatest. This is how most people abuse drugs and other stuff like that. What do you think?
I think everyone suffers with depression. Depression is the lack of worthwhile pursuit. Find you anchor and keep doing it. I found skateboarding at age of 31.
There is something about Rodney's presence and the way he is! This man is so much more than I ever thought he was!! So grateful to hear his words and more of his story and views on life.
This is a tough interview to conduct. This reminds me of the Darryl “DMC” McDaniels interview. Tom's interview skills, knowing when to let the guest speak and what two or three words to say to keep them going after a story, are remarkable. Being able to not make the interview about yourself, and get the most from the guest for your audience, is a subtle skill that Tom has mastered.
This is so true and I admire that about him. I try to study and watch how he does this so I can hopefully quite this skill to. Even if it just in moments when I actually need it
I’m watching the video and i’m thinking that i just have to write comment (which i almost never do) Tom! That interview is sacred, it’s like you have found some kind of pricless gift. I’m listening this guy and he is so sincere, so humble, i’m having a feeling like - i just want to listen to him over and over. It’s like i’m listening Bruce Lee! Every word is carefuly chosen and wise. I can’t describe the whole thing - it is just priceless! Good job Tom!
Rodney is such an amazing dude. He has a TED talk that is awesome too. He is always like this. Cares for every word that comes out. Shows in his skating too. Such an amazing human.
I’m not a skater but this guy is a true legend in humanity! Not only skating but also being a human! That’s why he was gifted with his skating ability’s his beautiful brain and his beautiful character can see things we could never! He is truly a legend
At 47 I still skateboard. I can't express how much 4wheels and a board has meant to my life. Do you want to understand the meaning of 'tenacity'? And then there's this little interview... 4mins in and I'm crying- it doesn't stop until it's over. I feel shaken and stirred. This was EXACTLY what I needed to hear- not this year, this month, or this week, but today. Rodney has a soul and honesty that most will never be aware of, yet alone achevie in their present incarnation. ...any thing else I say will reduce my sentiment. Listen to Buddha, and hopefully, learn. Thank you both, *A.
No Doubt... 41 and as soon as I’m standing sideways flowin on the concrete, I’m 14 again and all the stress & worries of this world start to disappear for a while. When they start to creep back in... jump on the board, strap on the headphones and repeat. Amen 🙏🏼
It's all hard work and imagination. The only barrier in improving is believing in yourself. Follow me on instagram guys! I got a handful of videos on it but will be uploading more things soon, had a swollen ankle but will be active real soon. IG: Anthox_1
The way Tom Bilyeu put himself into the interview, realy and truly interested about all kind of knowledge he get in touch with, with all the people he met... is absolutely amazing!!! You inspire us to know more and more, without judging, just absorbing. Fantastic job Tom!!! Thank you!!! :D
@Aimee Frost exactly! He don't seem understand nothing about... He DON'T understand! That's why he ASK things... To know, to understand. That's why I like him. Cause he's not a professional talk show man. 😉😊
Same he was a skate idle when i was young now a life mentor it seems. I was out and down and at the emd of my rope and Rodney's speakings have. Helped me a lot and balance crap out.
This made me cry. I rarely cry. The story of him meeting the dying child and feeling out of his depth, but have the kid embrace him as his hero was both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Then when Rodney mentioned not knowing the name of an Olympian but knowing the name of a school teacher, that caused the tears to keep coming. From a young age Rodney has captivated me and although I don't really like the concept of heroes, I have ALWAYS looked up to him and strived to be like him. What an incredible person.
Greatest participation on Impact Theory. And something it needs to be said is...Tom is a really good interviewer because, alongside good questions, he really mastered the art of listening.
This is like a therapy session. Except Tom is paying Rodney for him to let out his soul. Amazing video, I actually want to get everyone I know to watch this. Its suchhhh an incredible video
He gets so much respect but when you really listen to him and how he speaks its like a good conversation with someone you know personally. Yeah the kickflip changed skateboarding but the understanding and wisdom he has to offer is a bigger deal imo. I skate and its the only thing that makes me happy anymore and when times seem dark people like rodney motivate me to push thru my pain and my problem. Thanks man, and i hope if anyone else is here to find inspiration to persevere good luck with everything you got this!
I feel the same! I been depressed for years and got back on a board after 9 years and haven't been happier. Gave up drinking and smoking weed. Riding a board makes me feel more accomplished and a person then drugs do. It help find myself again!!! I was at the end of my rope. And Rodney's talkings have really helped me out
@@MRREE-zw6xc fuck yeah dude i still smoke weed but only at night after ive worked and skated for the day. Keep going man i hope you stay happy and healthy! Add me on IG javajavajcup😊
@@jacobhiers thanks dude support helps and yeah some weed does hella help relax the muscles n mind at the end of the day! And fosho ill save it. I been on a social media break for a bit now also lol
Rodney is such a gem. A truly beautiful mind and an incredible inspirational person, who brought skateboarding to another level. I could easily listen to him for hours. He's so humble and peaceful and lighten up something inside each of us. That mentor and friend most people need in life. The fact it comes down to skateboarding being the tool to expression, mental balance, community, inner peace and life itself for many people couldn't be explained better than by the one who masters this art to perfection and without doubt will be THE best ever on a skateboard (yes you will!). It's an incredible experience to see how he has gone through at least 3 stages; the young and innocent kid struggling through life taking the world with surprise, the older more autonome character still doing what he loves, perfecting a new level of life when creating street skating into a form we still enjoy up till today, to his older now being extremely wise and thoughtful teaching us the whole progress he has been through. The guy really hides something we'll probably never see, but all of us surely know in some sort. It's impressive but also kind of sad. The man is telling the truth with tears in his eyes!! How often do you come across that?! Even when the interviewer, Tom, is openly speechless you know it's deep. A huge respect and a big thank you Rodney! We love you. Your struggle has created soo much more than you could imagine. We owe you everything! Looking soo much forward to follow you for many more years!
Back in the 80s when I worshipped Rodney, I just thought people had talent. Then I heard about him training for 8, 9, 10 hours straight, DAILY. Yes he's got talent, but his amazing perseverance is so much more important. Truly inspirational!
You are so right! It’s too easy to go out there and look for the easy ride and delude self into believing into accepting it was enough, when deep down we end up beating ourselves because we’re not in the place where we want to truly be. Got to grind it out, make it your mantra, keep refining the vision until it becomes real - but be prepared to embrace fear, failure and suffering because the love for what you do should be the extension of your true self. Search deep to be free and fight passionately in your quest for excellence
I met him at a time in my life when he was my skateboarding hero. I'm happy to report that he made an impression on me that stayed with me for my entire life since. A truly decent man
Wow, how could you not cry watching this. This is what life is about. I learned so much about what is real and what is important in life from this interview. This goes way beyond skateboarding and goes into the very fiber of who we are as people and why we do what we do in life. So powerful.
WOW ...Rodney embodies a rare and beautiful expression of balanced manhood. His deep understandings and wisdom about the purpose of challenge, success & striving for higher levels of achievement is rare and inspiring. Beyond being a great inspiration to many, Rodney's reflections about his journey of manhood shows he is an amazing role model for men and boys and for those people who are fortunate enough to meet him beyond the other great achievements of his life. Thanks so much for this interview and for your persistence in inviting Rodney onto your channel.
I think everyone can take away something from this episode and amazing man. Even girls and women, that s just how amazing his message and him as a person are!
This brings me to tears. Amazing to see how one can develop spiritually by doing what you sincerely love. Enlightenment can be felt through joy. "Find a place inside where there's joy, and the joy will burn out the pain." -Joseph Campbell
I don't even skateboard, but I stop to listen to Rodney any time I see his face. His template for existence is helping me think so much more clearly about my own path. Bless you, Rodney and Tom for giving us this interview.
I always admired him as a skateboarder as I come from this world... his tricks were always unbelievable and crazy... But after listening to this interview...my admiration and respect for him grew 100000%... keep doing your thing Rodney...you are and will always be a legend 🙏🏼❤️💪🏻
I almost cryed...such a great speech...hope there are more man like Rodney in this world...he is special and unique! You could feel him and that he is fully present in this moment and that he is now giving the best version of himself to this world ...thank you for this video!
Dude, this guy is so genuine. I can only imagine what he had to go through to be able to over-come being so introverted to be able to communicate so effectively. If he wasn’t so genuine, he would come off and trigger every button of fake-ness. He’s so intense but that’s what it takes to be as excellent as he is. I think obsession is the only path to excellence of his level. I have so much respect for this guy...
Rodney was the reason I skated, thought he was fascinating. I now want to restart again at 31, I've not skated since I was around 15 and after seeing some skaters regularly I all of a sudden missed it. Didnt realise so many others are feeling the same lol
I skated from 5 to 20 then diddnt step on a board for 22 years and started again at 42. I dont care about the tricks anymore but just love cruising around and getting the exercise. I have always loved the culture though even when I diddnt skate.
*"It's such a gift to be able to look at something and love it for the sake of it"* If you can find a love towards something that is pure and separated from the ego, hold onto it. Because then there's a decreased chance that your pathologies will get in the way of it, and you increase the chance of sticking to it because you'll feel like you're in the service of something bigger than yourself.
I am a girl and I started skateboarding at 48. I used to be a tomboy, it never went away. It feels like freedom when I ride.....now I have to find an ocean. The dream is to surf 🏄♀️ 🙏🇨🇦♥️🌈🌎
@@notcosmiclobsternoooo118 you are right..no age...no gender....but back in the day.....back back....the conditioned minds used a lot of labelling. I am Turning 50 this June...and I don’t give a shit about anything....I go skateboarding by myself....get hot......jump in the cold river to swim.....no ocean here....and then meditate. Feeling alive! And I signed up for river surfing lessons in rapids for my 50th gift to myself🙏🇨🇦❤️🌈🌎🏄♀️🦋
@@SuketaPatel That sounds amazing. I want to be just like that! Last year I had the privilege to be able to surf in Alaska on the tidal bore at Turnagain arm. It's kinda a one shot thing and unfortunately I missed the wave, but the fact that I was even able to go out in all of that vastness in the inlet between mountains was an experience like nothing else! I had never seen mountains before then! I grew up in Florida, like Rodney and I don't leave Florida often. A lot of my friends are surfers. One friend in particular gifted me a skateboard with surf training trucks on it so I could get better at carving in the water. That was the first time I had really ever skated other than the occasional longboard and I was 20. I was alone a lot back then. My SO worked later hours than me so I skated everyday and got hooked. I got even more hooked after he and I split and it became one of my main outlets for stress lol. Now I have a collection of different types of boards and I'm currently building my first freestyle board. I'm going to go until I can't go anymore! You should check out Ben Gravy's channel on RU-vid. He has a lot of river wave surfing videos and he is also just one of the sweetest guys around. ❤🤙🏻
@@notcosmiclobsternoooo118 , Thats a cool story....I think we all have stories behind the feeling of skateboarding or surfing....my drama was about an extracted tumor on my spine in 2016. I deal with chronic back pain due to this hole in my spine. Took me years of Physio therapy to get make on my feet. Loads of anxiety and depression and sufferings led me to have a spiritual awakening....like Buddha I guess. But Now i just live with being....seeing....loving whatever comes my way....and surrender to it. At the end all this is about love....and knowing it inside. Awareness. Thank you for the river surfing advise. I also do the Wim Hoff. Here in Canada it gets cold. But this year, I swam all seasons, -8 degrees was the coldest I have swam...with snow and ice....etc...Not like beautiful Florida weather. Took my kid to Disney land 😇. Love Florida! Wanted to go to California to catch my first wave.....Covid happens.....and then law of attraction led me to find out that there is a surf called Guy wave 10 minutés from my home. I swim everyday in this river because the gyms are closed and swimming pools also due to Covid,, i skateboard and then jump in when it gets hot.....the only way to get rid of the chronic back pain. People see me sometimes....the crazy girl swimming in the river but I do not care. Just wanna do one real surf one day....before I die or get old....Happy Birthday to you to Gemini? Enjoy your day and thanks for sharing😇
From 22:02 until the end, I've watched about eight times. How he talks about "the most humbling" experience and Make A Wish. I get transfixed to his perspective. When he says "I'm honored", I 100% believe him. I also thought it was great when he said, about social media, "my manager posts that crap" and Tom and the crew laugh. This was one of the most profound talks I've heard. Thank you Tom and Impact Theory crew.
That really is the one thing I get from him above all else that makes me respect him so much is that he seems 100% genuine and honest, through and through, which is a rare quality for a person to have.
I love his self awareness. His ability to be completely honest, to be completely vulnerable, and the level of humility is just inspiring. Nothing to hide, owning it all - the good and the bad, and just pure love gushing out of this man.
His hospital visit story broke me down completely. I can see Tom was pretty shaken as well. The dream is to be a hero, not be a billionaire! You'd be shocked at how many people you could feed, cloth and give medical attention for the price of a Lambo.
So much passion. Its incredible. I have so much love for Rodney, and I've never met him. Strangely enough though, he's been a part of my life since I was a little kid. I'm so grateful that he chose skateboarding as his tool for survival. It became mine too. Being free on my skateboard helped me get through the toughest parts of my life. And Rodney was my inspiration right from the start. And back then, we were dirt poor. So I was always waiting for the day that I could get my magazine or movie rental so I could get the next scoop. It kept the fire raging in my heart. Those memories are what I hold onto to keep me going. He's right. We all have our story, our thing that we hold onto that keeps us pushing forward. The use of our pain as a tool to strive to the next level. To keep going and becoming stronger as we go... Brilliance. I can't help but be choked up with tears and a lump in my throat in a good way, when I hear him speaking. I do really feel connected to him even though we are hundreds of miles apart and I've only seen him on screen.
Rodney is an amazing soul, rare in so many ways. He has a soothing calmness in his mannerisms and his way of communicating. I have always looked up to him in skating, but over the years, and seeing his many talks, documentaries, presentations etc., I now look up to him as a human being, that I respect on another level. Thank you Rodney, you are an inspiration to always strive to be a better human being, and I appreciate you from the bottom of my heart, my friend...
The guy cited Nietzsche as a side support for his point of view. He’s highly intelligent and highly confused, in the best way possible. Few people get these platforms, and there are a lot more Rodney’s out there. They need to be glorified, but they’re often set aside.
Why did I get so teary watching him getting all emotional? I don't know what it is I love so much about Rodney. He just seems so good hearted and likeable.
I remember the first time I seen him skate. He was light years beyond anyone. Free style was never cool but Rodney was beyond that crap. No one ever told me he was this zen master of life. I’m 42 years old and I want to be Rodney Mullen when I grow up.
What i like about hearing him speak is that he isnt like reading a speech word for word i am sure he has certain go to phrases but he is speaking from the heart you can see that he sometimes suprises himself with the insight he is expressing and those moments make him real to people like us looking searching for that thing that resonates inside trying to unlock something anything that makes us feel more or better and he is so humble and that resonates so loudly inside of so many people. Even people that didnt know they needed to hear something to unlock something inside to feel free rodney mullen is a great being and the way his mind works is so unique and his expresions just draw you in and it only takes a second to realize that he is speaking from the heart that he may be hearing something he is saying for the first time your hearing it that he may not have known he felt so strongly until we all heard it at the same time him included he is just so genuine and you cant make or build that you either are or arent. And he is
This interview brought me to tears. A man with a burning passion to break through the barriers of reality, successfully achieving it, and being the godfather of his craft, chooses that his top priority in life is to be a good man. I cannot begin to express how incredible I think that is, and it motivates me to continue to strive to be a good man, and reinforces my desire to do so. Thank you, Rodney - for both opening the field of our shared greatest passion in life, and for inspiring me with your wisdom.
Rodney Mullen is AWESOME! Speaks with a soul. Acts with a soul. Thinks with a soul. I LOVE this session. Thanks TOM. I wish Rodney could come back one last time or maybe even do a different twist where Rodney takes Tom's crew to a skate park and just have fun. Thumbs up if you like this idea.
I love the way this dude talks. Not only is he an undeniably legendary icon and innovator within the sport of skateboarding as well as skateboarding culture, he just genuinely seems like a down to earth, well spoken dude. Who just so happens to be an insightful genius that is an absolute beast on the board.
This is one of the most raw and authentically spiritual human interactions. Thank you for sharing this new paradigm model and understanding with us through your show, Tom. What a cool dude who skates the soul. A genuine and humble mystic.
@TomBilyeu - Next level interviewing skills - you let Rodney finish his complicated thoughts, validate that you understand the premise, and then follow up with perfect pointed related questions. Rodney is no doubt amazing and you did an equally amazing job at drawing him out. Strong work!!
Man Rodney is such a beautiful human being. It's an honour to everyone who skates that HE is the Godfather that really kicked things off for skateboarding. It's just nice to know that the beginnings had people like Rodney who were true at heart for the passion of skating and not people trying to make money, or people that were conceited.
