I grew up skateboarding it was fun. I didn't think about money I didn't know how much professional skateboarders made. I just knew that if I became a professional skateboarder I would achieve a lot and get to travel and do these great things.

I wanted to be looked at for the skateboarder that I was. I didn't want to be the 36-year-old skateboarder who's still holding on while owning a company at the same time. I wanted to make my mark and travel and accomplish a few things here and there and then get out.

I couldn't beat people with my strength I don't have a hard shot I'm not the quickest skater in the league. My eyes and my mind have to do most of the work.

Growing up in Huntington Beach you were either a traditional sports athlete a skateboarder or a surfer. I got my first skateboard when I was five and skated off and on over the years did a little BMX racing as a kid and then in my freshman or sophomore year I started getting a little bit more into skateboarding.

I had spindly little ankles and growing up in Canada I couldn't skate. I was no good at any sports so was very much a pariah through those adolescent years.

The last few years I became a lot more into sports. Growing up the sports I liked were independent sports like skateboarding. I was really into skateboarding and not necessarily team televised sports.

I don't really remember a time younger than 5 years old that I didn't have skates on because all I can remember is every day tying up my skates and a big smile on my face excited to go on the ice.

I was a kid and I wasn't even sure if I wanted to play the drums you know? All I wanted to do was skateboard but I was still learning and taking it in so it was good.

I used to make up stuff in my bio all the time that I used to be a professional ice-skater and stuff like that. I found it so inspirational. Why not make myself cooler than I am?

I'm not squeamish at all. As a child I dragged a dead squirrel home on my skateboard and cut it open and tried to look at its brain.

Snowboarding's tough because you've got to go to the mountains. For me I love the skateboard season because I get to hangout at home and still be skating. I don't have to travel to Norway or Japan or these crazy places to be snowboarding.

I have a very close friendship with the skaters.

Sometimes I even now feel like a stranger in my country. But I knew there would be problems because I had seen the world as a skater. And now? A lot of people in eastern Germany have lost jobs rents went up food costs went up unemployment went to 20 percent. Freedom is good but it is not easy.

Olympic Gold changed me and my life dramatically. I became a celebrity overnight and people see me as a famous skater not a real person.

I bought a lot of rubbish things that kids buy: skateboards and clothes and typical teenage stuff. And as soon as I could I wasted a lot of money on cars - BMW's mostly - for myself and my family.

My life path has been a blessing and a great learning experience. Skateboarding is my passion and I don't see that changing. When I'm not skating I love to surf. I'm open to the new experiences and opportunities.

I think what every skater dreams of is not only skating the best program they can possibly skate but y'know having the crowd roar at the end and it was just so loud I couldn't even hear my music.

I sort of always had an inkling towards some kind of an art form. I grew up in a very small town and I just figure-skated. My dad played hockey and I was surrounded by sports but it wasn't quite doing it for me. I wasn't totally fulfilled and I did a lot of skating.

I consider skateboarding an art form a lifestyle and a sport. 'Action sport' would be the least offensive categorization.

Gwen Stefani has amazing style. I used to really love Courtney Love and anything she wore I loved. Or Chloe Sevigny because I really love that sort of classic look and I like being girly and flowery and wearing little D&G dresses. I wear hats a lot too. I think it goes back to when I was a bit grungy and was a skater girl for a bit.

There is no age height or weight requirement to skate. It is good exercise no matter what your age is. If you want to be competitive most start young. But I practice with many adult competitors.