As a skateboarder for over 30 years, I've seen firsthand the incredible benefits that skateboarding can have on both physical and mental wellbeing. The physical demands of skateboarding build immense strength, balance, coordination, and cardiovascular fitness in a way that feels effortless because you're focused on the sheer joy of riding. The concentration required quiets the mind, inspires creative flow, and cultivates a sense of presence, patience, and determination.
With every new trick learned, your self-confidence grows. Skateboarding teaches us to roll with the punches when we fail, get back up, and try again with optimism. It reconnects us with our childlike curiosity, wonder, and excitement. We're reminded how good it feels to live fully in each fleeting moment, not caught up worrying about the past or future.
As the ancient Stoic philosophers knew, true happiness comes from pursuing excellence and living virtuously each day. Skateboarding encapsulates this, improving our wellbeing by compelling us to stay dedicated and "do more of what makes us happy" every time we step on our boards. It helps us become stronger physically, mentally, and spiritually.
