It's
not often that someone is given a gift that allows them to be talented in many different
areas of their life. Come to think of it, up until interviewing Corey Sheppard
a few weeks ago, I didn't personally know anybody that was actually capable of
juggling multiple careers, while achieving success in all of them. Corey has a
resume that includes 10+ years as a professional skateboarder, accomplished
artist, and freelance graphic designer for companies producing skateboards,
snowboards and clothing distributed on a global scale. On top of all of these amazing
creative vices, Corey's become a dedicated friend to many skaters inside Canada
and truly played an important role in shaping the history of skateboarding not
only in Canada, but on a North American scale.
Given
the fact that Corey is a well known name in every skateboarders house, I
thought it would be interesting to pick his brain a little and really figure
out what makes him tick; particularly in regards to his life and how skateboarding
has impacted it. After getting down to business and hearing what he has to say,
the phrase "Corey Sheppard is a man of many talents" is truly an
understatement.
Take
a look below and learn more about Corey's "Five Best Things" about
skateboarding.
1. Freedom
to do what you want: "Simple and plain, one of the best things about skateboarding is the
freedom that it gives you. More specifically, the freedom to do as you please,
at any point in your career! Case in point, myself: I've never used an alarm
clock at any point in my life while growing up, but now I use it every day
because I want to! Actually, come
to think of it, my alarm clock freaking sucks... [laughs] Did you know that some
people say that alarm clocks actually kill your dreams?
2. Experience is key: "Another one of the great
things about skating is all the different things you get to experience! For
instance, if I didn't take up skateboarding and eventually move out to Los
Angles, I would have never been so keen on art. I can't even imagine my life
without including painting!"
Backside flip. Matt Price sequence.
3. Travel
the world, it's a big place: "Well, this one is an obvious advantage to being a
professional skateboarder. I love going to exotic places around the world!
First off, I love not paying a damn penny on any of the flights that I take
when I'm out there on the road, travelling for skateboarding. I went to Africa
a few years ago and to be honest, I never thought that I would be going there
at any point in my life. That was one of the best trips I've ever been on. I
got the opportunity to pet lions, eat crazy food, and most of all, I got the
chance to kick a dead hippo's tooth right out of his mouth! Man, I love that place."
4. Setting
trends: "Even
though this might sound a little weird, I think that fashion plays a huge role
in skateboarding. We, the skaters on the streets, make the most random things
work. Take for example, the shoelace belts that have caught on in the past
couple of years! Like, what the fuck is that? Don't get me wrong, I love them,
but the other day I saw a celebrity wearing one of them in Vancouver. It was
weird to see that, because it was so obvious that he didn't skate at all. Like
I was saying, we, the skateboarders, don't just set trends, we make them. The same situation applies
with music."
5. Future
plans: "The
final thing that skateboarding has given me is the most important of all. If I
never skated I would have never came to Vancouver, and met my future wife and
all my great friends! In closing, I just want to say thank you skateboarding
for all that you've given me, you made my life complete!"
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Related:
First Things First: Corey Sheppard
Open House: Momentum Wheel Co.
Corey Sheppard: Unauthorized Facebook Interview