EP13: BRIAN ANDERSON

This week I’m speaking with Brian Anderson. During his nearly 25 year career as a professional skateboarder, there is very little Brian hasn’t accomplished. Within his first 3 years in the industry, he was named Thrasher Magazine’s Rookie of the Year, Skater of the Year, and won the World Cup of Skateboarding. Accomplishments made all the more impressive having left his full time job as a line cook just a few years prior.

Known for his aggressive and powerful style, Brian is a skater’s skater and fan favorite having appeared in dozens of films and advertisements. His passion for getting tricks is undeniable, with a history of slams that defy logic, but command respect by those inside and outside of skateboarding. Motivated by a strong work ethic, Brian’s willingness to continually push himself was at one time fueled by the anger and frustration at having to keep a deeply personal part of his life secret, for fear of how it may be received.

After establishing himself as one of the greatest street skaters of all time, Brian made the choice to openly share a long hidden side of himself with the world, having no way to predict the sea change within skateboarding that would follow. Widely admired and respected by his peers for his accomplishments on his board, Brian’s transparency and willingness to completely be himself off of his board may prove to be his lasting legacy.

For a sport inclusive of differences and a shared ethos of progression, for many people, myself included, Brian Anderson is the embodiment of what it truly means to call oneself a ‘skater’.

It is with great pride that I present Brian Anderson on The Days Between..