How was growing up in Akron, Ohio and at what age did you start skating?

It was pretty sick. There wasn’t much of a skate scene or a skateshop so that was kinda neat. I started skating when I was 13.

So Akron never had a local shop? Are there any pros from there?

Ah I don’t think there’s any…well Kevin Terpening is from Akron. I don’t think any of the Paff brothers ever went pro or anything. There used to be one shop called Megapolis, but they closed in 2011.

Did growing up near an indoor park grow your scene or help your skating?

It didn’t do much for the scene. They were kind of a religious skatepark too, so the first few years were weird but it definitely helped my skating out. I’d go with my friends like every day.

How many years have you been skating?

I think like 9 years.

What made you want to come to Pittsburgh?

A lot of things. I’ve always come to Pittsburgh since I was younger and when I turned 18 and decided to move out, one of the first places I thought of was Pittsburgh. So a year later when Brandon, the co-owner of the shop, offered to help move me out it just seemed like a sign, so I went with it.

What do you like about living in Pittsburgh?

I like all the spots out here, that’s one of the main things. Some of them are pretty crusty, but they all look really sick and I like how some of them are more unique than in other areas.

What are your favorite cities you’ve been to?

So far San Francisco is really sick. Crazy spots out there. Pittsburgh, I love Akron for sure, and New York definitely. You can do so much out there.

You work, skate, pay rent, and are a pretty mature dude for your age. How do you pull it all off?

Barely…I just always try to keep skating as the main thing I do and a priority. I get jobs that I know I’ll still be able to skate with, and have a flexible schedule to do trips and stuff. I just keep skating at the forefront of everything, that’s what helps me stay in line.

What’s your favorite spot you’ve been to?

I don’t think I can pick one bro, there’s so many and every spot is so unique.

Do you contest bro?

Barely. Just as much as I have to. Now that I have a few more sponsors I try to skate them and stuff, but I’m pretty much there to street skate after the contest.

What’s your favorite Adidas shoe to skate?

I like the city cup a lot right now, but it just varies.

What’re your plans for 2019? Got any parts coming out or trips planned?

I’m coming in real hot. I had a part drop in December to close the year out, and I got two parts in the works for 2019. Trying to get some more photos and go on some trips too.

What do you think having a skateshop sponsor mean to you?

Dude, what? What kind of question is that?

Do you think it’s changed over time?

I think it depends. Like in California having a shop sponsor is almost being pro because of how it is out there. Out here I think we have a lot more core or raw skateboarding shops and so I respect that a lot. That’s one of the main reasons I moved out here too, I always looked up to OneUp and traveled out here and to become a part of it meant a lot to me.