Once a pro always a pro, legendary fuckin skater. And it takes strength to talk about something like this, but you're helping more people than you can imagine. Great interview.
Ive suffered mental health issues for years and I've started skateboarding again after a forty year break thanks to my daughter wanting to learn how to skate! Its done wonders for my wellbeing..... Im 56 years old 😂 Skateboarding is something that never leaves you ❤
We are so honored to have such a great mental health awareness advocate as a mentor. John has always been the best and his vulnerability in showing his journey is another hallmark of that. Thank you 🙏
John is one of the most well-spoken and well-read persons in skateboarding. Wish him all the best, don't think there could be a better voice than him for this complex subject...
I suffered from childhood trauma and never told anyone. Once I told someone it gave me a little bit more understanding of my emotions and more power over them.
It's so wonderful that John is willing to speak openly about this. It takes a lot of courage and I'm sure there are many people out there who can identify with what he goes through (including me)
John used to live round the corner from me in Glasgow. I used to see him all the time. Then once I met him on a train back from Edinburgh we chatted away for an hour. Lots of the conversation was about stuff mentioned here. He’s a great guy. ❤
Wen I was younger I suffered hard with depression your part in waiting for the world helped me through my hard times so thank you brother your a fuckin legend
Thank you John and everyone who helped make this, I really appreciate you putting yourself out there and helping others. Side note, it’s so jarring to get a cheeseburger commercial right in the middle of this heavy story. 😂
Thank you John and The Ben Raemers Foundation for this powerful film. John's candour and wisdom on camera further cement his legacy as one of the realest to ever step on a board. Loved the inclusion of clips from John's WFTW part, which had a huge impact on me growing up. To think that he made such an era-defining part whilst grieving and processing a loss like that gives the part a whole new depth and impact. 🤜🏻❤
QB was on the top floor of Virgin. it was like home from home and the first place that Poizone ( later Clan Skates) sold their clothes.I met my best friend in there in 86 or 87- He's long gone, most are- the spots from my youth live inside me. For the record- It was me who found the full pipes in Howdens .
Saw John at a blueprint demo in Hull years ago. He dropped in on the massive vert wall without a second thought. Totally blew my mind! Awesome skateboarder. Brilliant interview
I don’t think I would’ve ever gotten into skating if it wasn’t for waiting for the works and specifically johns part. Absolutely amazing skater and a true inspiration. This is a courageous and inspiring interview.
Thought you were enigmatic watching your parts growing up. It makes more sense now. To be great at skating you have to physically brave. This level of openness is bravery on another scale. I wish you all the best.
Good stuff. On a number of levels. Mental health is real. It takes a lot to make sense of this very unnatural world we are forced to live within. Not to even speak on trauma. Something we are exposed to and are contended to deal with on the daily.
My first board was a Zero Rattray and first video was like a homie video John, Kennedy, Stu Graham, and a bunch of Scotland locals had made called H’min Bam. Picked it up totally by chance and was hyped to see Rattray had last part. Been hooked on skating since. Awesome to see he’s a good dude doing good things. Keep’r goin dudes 🤍
I remember he used to come to Fraserburgh when I was young and started skating. I remember being so impressed everyone knew he was going to end up pro I think
Tried to bite John;s style and drop that back knee down but didn't realise he was turning his hips... my MCL is still a mess 20 years later because i tried to copy another guys natural style... I can't say shame on me, i'll probably try to emulate John in some way forever... Mad inspiration 🙌
we live in a society of proffit and control. nobody teach you to understand and handle your emotions. you are easy to control that way. you are adoctrinated and shaped to perform. being aware, selfconcouis, sensible or having empaty for others it's ofthen displayed as a weakness. Forgive ourselves and trying to understand ourselves it's the best weapons we have to embrace life and be healthy and have healthy relationships we the others.
There’s a theme going on in skateboarding that has a lot to do with aging pros who want to kill themselves. Skaters who feel lost because their passion of skateboarding didn’t carry them through life. Is skateboarding really so great? For all the people who say it helps them, there is a mountain of former skaters with damaged bodies who can’t do it anymore because they can’t afford the risk. There is very little money in skateboarding. That’s what’s wrong. You get forgotten fast in skateboarding. Would this video exist if John Rattray was still a well known pro who was getting paid a lot?
Epicnicity is what I call it. Skateborders are the only angels I’ve met on this planet who actually do things that matter . That are real. Ty . Yet we’re “kicked out everywhere” , on this realm lol 😂 We have to process everyone’s garbage poser thoughts continuously so boring
