The interview with 17 year old Olympic skateboarder Poe Pinson is now live. We really enjoyed shooting this episode for many reasons, including the fact that it almost didn't happen. The day of our scheduled podcast interview with Poe, our studio unexpectedly had to cancel our time slot due to a last minute emergency. However, with Poe living an hour away and already en route, we had to quickly call another studio and call in a favor to squeeze us in. Luckily they obliged and we got it all sorted. It was the first episode we shot in this studio and might have more there in the future, but we are curious your feedback. What do you think: Does the background location of our podcast matter to you or not? Curious your feedback so comment your thoughts so we know going into next year.
Another reason we really enjoyed getting to interview Poe is her age. Hearing from a 17 year old that is living out their dream is very inspirational on many levels. It is very unique for a young person to have that type of opportunity, so to have a chance to speak with her while she is living her dreams in real time was really neat to get to tap into and understand. I would also add that as an interviewer, it is a very enjoyable and different experience to hear from a guest that is currently living out their dreams day to day vs. reflecting back on something they accomplished or lived many years prior. Both are extremely valuable to glean from but hearing from someone currently doing it is always insightful.
We have some exciting additions coming to the Grit.org podcast next year including doubling our number of podcast interviews. Instead of releasing on just the 1st of each month, starting in January 2023, we will be releasing an episode on the 1st and 15th of each month and have some amazing guests including a 10 time national Taekwando champ, lead singer of Flipturn, and many more.
Thanks again for tuning in each week and be sure to comment on the relevancy of the background during our podcast interviews. Have a great week!
Colby Harris: Welcome back to the “Grit.org Podcast. My name is Colby Harris alongside me as always is mister Brian Harbin and we're here with today's guest Poe Penson. Poe, thank you so much for being here.
Poe Pinson: Thanks for having me.
Colby Harris: Yeah, absolutely. So, Poe is a professional skateboarder and at the age of seventeen, she is not your average teenager. She already has two 2021 bronze medals. One from X Games in San Diego and one from the Pan Am Games in Columbia. Poe has been skating since she was four years old and balances her school work, skateboarding schedules and masteral ways. She loves to interact with other professional athletes and does it with confidence and modesty. So, Poe considers herself a scholar who loves challenges inside out of the skate park. When she's not skateboarding around the world, Poe loves her island life in Fernandina Beach. So, Poe really appreciate you coming out today. We're super excited to have you on. We had Shawn Pointer, another professional athlete from Fernandina on a couple months ago. So, really excited to just have you here telling your story.
I grew up in Fernandina as well so I can remember just the value and kind of being in that small tightly knit town. So just back to the beginning of your story. Tell us a bit about your home life in Fernandina and what are some of the positive and negatives that you had growing up in a small town?
Poe Pinson: Well, growing up in Fernandina it's honestly kind of how you would expect it to be. Like smaller towns everyone kind of knows everyone and there are positives and negatives to that. Like if you don't like someone then it's like, we'll say, you kind of feel like everyone. But I mean I love everyone. But skating wise, I honestly, I feel like it was a super good environment because it wasn't like LA or something where it's like everyone's just like super competitive about it. It's just like everyone's just kind of chilling, having fun skating.
Colby Harris: Little bit more that raw factor.
Poe Pinson: Yeah, just kind of like everyone together.
Brian Harbin: And so, you got into skating at 4 years old, is that right? So, tell us about how you got into skating and if there were any other early passions you had?
Poe Pinson: So basically, I don't even know how I got into skating. Like my dad didn't skate. Like I don't have any older siblings. So, from what my dad has told me, I would just like be super like aware of skaters like longboarding down the street or something and I'd be like, Dad, skateboarder look like. And then I just like kind of kept asking him for a skateboard and then he finally got me when I was it feel like my birthday or Christmas or something. It was like a little Walmart board, but took me to the skate park and then for some reason I didn't try to go down the smallest ramp first. I like skipped to the middle ramp and just kept falling over and over again. I finally got it, but I don't know what the was behind that. But yeah, I don't know. Basically, I just kind of picked it up and then before that, I played tennis epics. My dad's super into tennis, but mostly just skating.
Colby Harris: Starting to pick up some pickleball too probably. Biggest sport in Fernandina and that makes me really think too. Again, both of my older brothers are skaters. I know you know Chase and Joey. So, to think about the skate scene in Fernandina, you kind of touched on a little bit already but as you know, it's not necessarily the number one thing people are talking about and the number one thing people are trying to grow. So, what do you think is the importance of continuing to further the culture of skating in Fernandina and why people should really invest in trying to make sure that Future skaters have that opportunity in Fernandina?
Poe Pinson: Honestly, skating in Fernandina, it's like half, it's half enough, because you have like the older people who aren't so into it. But there's like a whole new generation of kids coming out that I've like never seen. Like there will be like a 9-year-old that I've never seen before who can like kick flip already and I'm like, okay. I feel like most of the population of like skaters in Fernandina now are like younger kids, and it's like they're all getting really good, really fast. Like they're better than I was at that age, like it's kind of crazy.
Brian Harbin: And I'm sure they really look up to you and you set a great example for them being out there for sure. So, I mean it alright so it's one thing to like go to a skate park and be in a skating but it's another thing to like get into competition. So, tell us about that decision to A, figure out that you were good enough to be in a competition but then that decision and what that first competition was like?
Poe Pinson: So, my first competition was actually at the Fernandina Park. I don't even know how it was. I was like it was when I kind of like first started skating. I couldn't really do many tricks or anything. And I don't know. I honestly didn't even want to do it, but my dad was kind of like, you should do it. See how you do. I honestly think I got like last place. But it was still fun and then I don't know. I just kind of like slowly started doing more like smaller contests and I wouldn't really even Think about it. I just kind of like do the contest and be like, oh okay, like this is how I did and just kind of slowly started getting better.
Colby Harris: Yeah, you talked about kind of when you first got into immediately going to the bigger ramp. Obviously, a lot of slams, a lot of trial and error, getting back up, going forward a second time. So, up to this point, what's kind of been, do you have a memory that stands out as like one of your hardest slams up to this point or have you had any serious injuries during your career so far?
Poe Pinson: No, like real super serious injuries yet. I'm not going to lie, but I've definitely had like smaller injuries that have kind of like just been like pushed, like knee things and then now I'm kind of dealing with a lot of ankle things. Like my right ankle has gone, like it's been like jammed this way, rolled this way, and like jammed back this way all in the span of like 3 months and it's just finally like getting stronger again. But some I don't know. My most memorable slams are like the ones that aren't really on camera. Like I remember there's this one time. It was at the Fernandina Park. I was younger, but the half pipe ramp I fell off the top of it and like landed on my chest and like just not, I don't know how it happened. I like stepped off of it and like landed on my chest and that was horrible.
And then also in Tampa in 2020, I tried to back fifty this like kink trail and I was popping from this like roller thing. And it was the first one of the day. Like I was just kind of getting warmed up. And I just like clipped like end of a rail kind of and then like flew onto my ribs on the kink and that was kind of bad. I heard to breathe for a minute. But yeah, other than that just like ankle rolls kind of.
Colby Harris: Yeah, I know that one's really gnarly too when you slam on the kink just like hitting anything because as I said both my brothers skate. I tried and that's why I didn't stick with it was that's why I picked up surfing because like you could fall 10-feet hit the water and like barely get shaken up but you fall three feet on the concrete. It's not going to be as much fun. So, Poe you stuck with it. You really continued to, you're here today. You're still doing a ton of these contests. I mean it's really cool to see how far you've gone in it and people are starting to recognize that. So, you've grown quite a following on social media. You're just got back from a 2-week trip to shoot a lot of footage. Hang out with some other skaters. Things like that. So, tell us a little bit about that process of kind of growing and presenting yourself on social media and eventually getting sponsors, and maybe like who some of your sponsors are now and who some of your first sponsors might have been?
Poe Pinson: So, honestly social media is probably the reason that I've like gotten recognized basically. Because I honestly didn't even think anything of it. I just like post my Instagram clips and stuff. And then so Lisa Whitaker I still actually ride for a skateboard company Meow Skateboards. She DM’ed me on Instagram and was like, hey, like you've been killing it. How would you feel about like going to detour this and that? So, I went to that for do tour in 2019 and then she like asked me if I wanted to ride for her skateboard company. That was like my first like the first time that I was kind of just like, oh wow, like that's sick like first time getting sent like a box of decks.
Colby Harris: Yeah, it's possible to have this happen.
Poe Pinson: Yeah, it was cool, but then my, like first sponsor ever was Pipeline Surf Shop with like Rob Rye and that was like I was really stoked on that too. I actually asked him to be sponsored which is like that's the only time I've ever done that because like everything else I'm just like okay I don't really like.
Colby Harris: It comes to you kind of.
Poe Pinson: Yeah. It's like if I deserve it at all it'll happen. But that was the first time that I like kind of went and asked for it. And I mean it worked. But then Pipeline got shut down. And then I was like doing stuff with Driftwood for a bit and then they Basically, just like those two and then this like, I don't even remember what it's called. But it was like a little clothing company from like San Diego or something. It was kind of weird but yeah.
Brian Harbin: So, Po, tell us what would you say looking back have been some of the keys to your progression? I mean, obviously, time on the board, time on the skatepark but you know, do you feel like you had any mentors, specific coaches? Did you watch a little a lot of videos? Like, what do you feel like helped you progress the quickest, the fastest?
Poe Pinson: I feel like I honestly recently just started like feeling progression and the thing is I don't even really feel it in the moment. But like looking back on it I'm like wow I think I've progressed the most of like progress ever in the past two years and that's when I thought I wasn't progressing at all. But I've never had like a coach or anything or like, I've definitely had like mentors’ kind of like just like the skate park and just like people in life kind of, but I feel like what's like helped me progress the most is just kind of skating and like not really thinking about progressing but just kind of like because I love skating. So, it's just doing what I love. And then that kind of I feel like has gotten me further than actually being like, okay, I want to progress. I want to do this. I want to learn this.
Brian Harbin: So, like when you're trying a new move do you feel like you just stick with it until you figure it out or do you try and if it doesn't work, you're like alright well let me come back to that later. How do you figure out like you want to work on next?
Poe Pinson: I'm definitely more of like I'll try it for 20 minutes if it's not working, I'll come back to it and then usually it works. The only time I really sit there and like try to get a trick over and over again either if I'm like just really hyper focused on it, or if I'm just like trying to film a clip in the streets. But other than that, usually I'll try it a few times, see if it works and then just like I'll kind of just try it a few times like spread out and then usually I'll just kind of sit there and like try it for a bit and it works.
Colby Harris: Yeah, it's awesome. I think it's definitely a consistent sport, you know, something that you've got to just try and try and try again at. I mean, I remember there were days that people that I knew at Skate, they'd come back so angry because I just spent two straight hours at the park trying to stick this one trick. So, next question I really mentioned about, you've kind of got this perspective of you do it because you love it. Was there a time where you started to really kind of commit to really want to further it? Although you're not super die hard about making sure that you just like get all the sponsors and you're on TV and this and the other. But was there a time or like a memory that you have that just made you think, wow, like I want to be a part of skating and I want to do this for a long time?
Poe Pinson: Honestly, it was kind of when I was like watching a street league, again I was like younger I just kind of remember being like one day I do that. Like it's okay if it doesn't happen, but like that would be so cool to do something like that. Then I did my first street league in July actually, which was pretty cool. I felt like my childhood self is very happy. But I feel like I still don't even have the mindset where it's like all, like kind of like an all-in perspective, but at the same, I don't know it just kind of like it's always been a part of my life. So, I feel like…
Colby Harris: Something just draws you to it.
Poe Pinson: Yeah, it's like in my head I'm just like I'm just going to skate. So, I mean but doing contest kind of like bigger contest was like and just like kind of lying-in bed at night and kind of realizing like, oh wow, like I'm really like doing all this right now. Because I'm just like not like insecure or anything but just kind of like, oh well, like whatever. But then actually thinking about it I'm like wow like I'm actually doing all these contests with everyone that I've considered to be like some of the best skaters ever.
Colby Harris: Kind of surreal. It's definitely a low of you that wants that for yourself.
Poe Pinson: Yeah.
Brian Harbin: So, tell us about and kind of on that note tell us about that first professional event, leading up to it, the nerves. How you overcame them. Tell us about that first pro event?
Poe Pinson: My first pro event was due tour in 2019 in Long Beach. And it honestly didn't go super well for me. But it was kind of like a good experience for sure. I kind of like butchered my runs. Like really, I fell again I like hit my ribs on the rail mid run and I'm like okay. But it was I didn't expect to be that nervous, but I was like really nervous. Like I feel like I was about to throw up afterwards and stuff. But it was just like I like took pictures with everyone because it was just like my first time being in like a pro setting. Yeah, honestly, I just was not prepared for it at all, like it was kind of insane. I almost made it to the semifinals, but I got bumped out like one spot, I think.
I was an alternate, but I was so sore like this is before I had started like working out in any or anything. So, I was like I was just not ready for it, but I mean I feel like to like be ready for it you kind of have to be not ready for it first.
Colby Harris: Yeah, that was going to be my next question. I mean just like you said to step out there and skating for those who don't know. I mean doing street usually get what like a 2-minute time frame to just go out and do your thing, or correct me if I'm wrong that's pretty much the setup that you usually walk into.
Poe Pinson: Yes, that's like more of like a jam format where they have like three skaters and it's like, okay, just like 2-minutes.
Colby Harris: To do your thing.
Poe Pinson: And then sometime, well, for like the Olympic format and like street league and stuff, it's usually like 2:45 second runs and then 4 or 5 best tricks, I honestly. It's different for each one.
Colby Harris: So, what do you really try to do now? Like what advice would you give to if you could go back to that 2019 event. What advice would you give yourself to step on that stage in that time to really just go perform your best?
Poe Pinson: Honestly, I would probably just tell myself to just like not really focus on like what everyone else was doing, but just to kind of like focus on what I wanted to do and just to stay on my board. Because like for runs, honestly, it's like as long as you stay on your board and you have like a pretty decent run, where it's like kind of risky so it kind of feels rewarding if you land your run. But yeah, honestly to just focus on myself, yeah.
Brian Harbin: Yeah, that's great I mean just focus on yourself and what you can control and what you're supposed to do. And then in 2022, you got to represent the USA national team. So, tell us what that was like going from, going to these pro events as an individual to now, you're skating with an actual team. So, tell us what that experience was like?
Poe Pinson: Honestly, it's not that different because like skateboarding is an individual sport. So, like at the end of the day it's still kind of more individual. I definitely get like a lot more like help with certain things too like.
Colby Harris: The camaraderie of it.
Poe Pinson: Yeah., USA skateboarding right now is honestly like going through a really weird thing. Like a bunch of people just stepped down. I'm not really sure why like no one really knows why they can't talk about it or anything. But so, they're just like a lot of changes being made and which is kind of weird I was supposed to go to Rio for a qualifier. It would have been like a few weeks, but it got like World Skate pulled out of it and stuff, so I'm just not going to go. But yeah, like typically it's kind of cool just like, because you're like whoo, team US. But at the same time everyone's still just doing their own thing like we may go to dinner or something, but yeah typically it's basically the same.
Colby Harris: Yeah, it kind of leads right into my next question. So, Nigel Houston is one of the most notable professional skaters of all time. And he kind of heads up a lot of the stuff with the team USA as he's again probably one of the most notable guys in the sport. But what has it meant to you like you said it's an individual sports? You are kind of doing your thing but to be in even just the same building as him and interact with him. I mean, what is that like for you and what you do you think it's added to be around him and the rest of team USA as you're trying to progress?
Poe Pinson: Honestly, it's just kind of weird, because it's like it almost is kind of like okay, why am I here? There's like Niger Houston and Deshaun Jordan and like all these crazy people and like we're just like signing posters together and walk it. Because like at the last we had this media day and there's just like a bunch of boards like everyone had a sign and like a stack of posters like this thick. It was just kind of weird, because I'm like, hey, are you done with that Sharpie or something. He's like, oh yeah, go for it. But like other than that it's like still just kind of awkward. Because I feel like I'm friends with like some of the other people like my age on team USA for like skating and stuff. I met a few of the gymnastics people which is kind of weird. But yeah, it's still just kind of awkward just because it's like, I don’t know.
Colby Harris: Kind of taking a bunch of the most talented people putting them in the same place.
Poe Pinson: Yeah, and it's just like we're not all necessarily like friends, so it's just kind of small talking like.
Colby Harris: Yeah. Tough to kind of gel in that situation.
Poe Pinson: Yeah.
Colby Harris: Definitely know what that's like. I mean even walking into any setting where you're supposed to know somebody and you're supposed to have common interest this that and the other and then it's just like, I don't really know you. I don't know anything about you necessarily.
Brian Harbin: Well, and then even going from being on the other side of it now, these were people that you looked up to and you were the ones looking for their autograph, but then now you're the ones that getting autographed to other people. So, kind of being on that other side. But so, I mean obviously you balance a lot right now between school, skateboarding. I mean, tell us about kind of day in the life and how you balance everything that you're doing?
Poe Pinson: Honestly, it kind of took a while for me to like balance everything. Like sophomore year of high school, I got like super behind in school. It was like super bad because I've been doing online school since freshman year. So, I've just been like it's just been easier to travel like no pressure to really like be here. But I kind of took that a little too far. I was like, I don't know my head didn't really register it's like okay this is like actually like real school, I mean now it does. But I got like super behind sophomore year because I started working at David's restaurant lounge, so a little restaurant. I still work there. But it was just kind of like a little weird because I was in like 2020, 2021. And so, like COVID was still happening so there weren't contests. So, I was kind of just like goofing off and not really like considering like anything being real.
And so, it was definitely kind of hard getting adjusted. I was on like a really weird like sleep schedule. I would like procrastinate doing schoolwork until like 2 AM and then I wouldn't even do it and then it'd be like the same thing the next day and I just wouldn't do school for like two weeks. But I like push that all the way to like the end of the summer. I kept getting extensions in 2021. Because my dad kept telling me, he was like, things are going to start picking up. Like you got to get on top of this and I'd be like I got it. Like it's cool. I got it. And then like before you know it, it's like late April and I'm still like in my last semesters of class. And then we're, like okay, nationals like you're home for 3 days. De Tour. You come back. You're home for like a week. You go to Rome. Come back home for a week. You're like a VIP at Woodward. Home for like maybe a week and a half and X games. And then it's like the end of July and I'm like literally doing at, like I'm at all these contests and I'm just like in every free doing school because I'm like still behind.
So, I was just kind of like that would have been so much easier if I had just done it on time. So, the next year was like ever since then I've just kind of been like more on top of it and now I'm in like a better schedule. I wake up, kind of see how I'm feeling like school wise, and then if I'm not feeling it, I go skate. But if I'm feeling it, I'll do school and I'll skate and then I work like 4 or 5 days a week when I'm here. so, then I'll go to work get off like 10 and then maybe try to do some more school clean up a bit. Then yeah, it's basic my day but it's it sounds the same every day but it's honestly different every day. I don't know. That's what's kind of cool with online school.
Colby Harris: Yeah.
Poe Pinson: Kind of see where the day takes you.
Colby Harris: Yeah, definitely understand. I just started doing online college at FSCJ recently and it's kind of a bit of adjustment. I can understand the tribulations that come with doing online school is not what people make it out. It's not as easy as everyone makes sense.
Poe Pinson: Yeah.
Colby Harris: Like you don't have the answer in front of you like you got to email someone and call this person, call that person. So, I can definitely understand that. So, tell us I know you've, I really love the way that you've approached skating because I think it's something that a lot of athletes lack is they're diehard of, I want to be the best in the world. I want to be on the cover in the magazine. I want to be recognized everywhere I go this and the other. But you seem to take a little bit more of just the passion approach. Like I love to skate. I'm a skater. That's who I am. So how would you define success in skating for yourself? Like when you look back one day, are there any things that you do want to achieve or is there any sensations that you want to reach? Like how would you just describe success in skating long term?
Poe Pinson: Personally, success for me would be to have like different video parts like filmed and like different things. Like not different things, different like places and stuff. But also, I don't know, I feel like for me what would make me feel the most accomplished would just be to kind of like be well rounded like be doing contests. But and then like kind of just doing as best as I can in contest and like seeing kind of where that lands me. Then also like filming and like just doing different things like that and just kind of like meeting people, like making connections. I feel like success in skating in my opinion is just like doing what you want to do. Like just having fun and traveling and like skating contest skating street, like just kind of doing all that, maybe get a photo in a magazine or something.
Brian Harbin: So, what do you find to be your escape, let's say you come off a tough tournament or an injury. Like what do you feel like you do that helps you kind of refocus once you kind of need to take your mind off skating?
Poe Pinson: Honestly, I just really like talking to people. Like that's kind of something that helps. I'll talk to my dad and friends and just like kind of random honestly sometimes too. Just like being like, okay yeah, maybe that wasn't like the best thing ever. Like I just wasn't feeling it like and my thing is too, like I went to Rome this summer but I was just not feeling the vibes of that contest. I don't even, I think I like I made it through like two rounds, but it was an Olympic contest. I got like I don't know, like 27th or something, but I just was not feeling it. So, like kind of after that I was like, oh whenever you don't do good, you're like a little discouraged and you kind of just got to remember like this contest isn't everything. Because like in skating what's cool about it is you don't need to like win all the contest to actually go somewhere with it.
But yeah, honestly for me just like kind of talking to people and just like, I've also been meditating recently which is like kind of new. But sometimes I just have like my brain just goes so fast. So, I'm just like okay, let's like try to slow down a bit. But yeah, just kind of getting back in the routine of like in everyday life and just being like, okay. Like what's next kind of like, yeah that's done but honestly yeah, just I really like talking to people. Sometimes I play basketball. I just like to do different things.
Colby Harris: Keep it interesting.
Poe Pinson: Yeah.
Colby Harris: So, when you say meditating, I know a lot of people Brian actually got me into it and I try do it. I would be lying if I said do it every day, but I do my best to try and take that quiet time. How would you, for someone who's never meditate before, like how have you been breaking into it, or like how do you like to meditate when you can?
Poe Pinson: Honestly, I just like I like sitting outside and I'm just kind of like sitting there and I just like really try to slow my breathing and like really try to feel my heart rate slow down. Then I just like I don't even know if I'm meditating right but I just kind of sit there and I'm like okay like and just like kind of watching thoughts go by and not necessarily like dwelling on them. Like okay that's a thought, and then just like kind of in that state where you're like about to fall asleep but you're not actually asleep. Then you just like kind of open your eyes a little bit and you're like just kind of Zen.
Brian Harbin: Yeah.
Colby Harris: Yeah, I think… Oh, sorry. Go ahead.
Brian Harbin: No, I was just going to say, yeah, the I always describe meditating like putting your brain in a hammock or just your mind is constantly going. It's just nice to just let it sit and be. One of the things I want to ask you too because obviously in surfing, skateboarding, a lot of these extreme sports, and people talk about the state of flow, right. And just being in the zone. So, tell us like for you, when you are in a competition and you're in the middle a great run. Like tell us kind of what that feels like for you? Like what's going through your mind in terms of just what that state feels like when you know you're just totally dialed in and maybe what you do to kind of help put yourself in that state of mind going into it?
Poe Pinson: Usually at a contest, I just kind of like talk to everyone before because I get nervous and like sometimes when I'm nervous I just like to talk. But I like talk to everyone a little before. The people that like to talk if they don't of course I'm not going to like mess them up. But usually like its kind of like nerve wracking like you hear your name get caught, like you see that you're up next and then you see it like the other person's time slowly going down. You're like, okay, and like you kind of feel like adrenaline flowing in. Then it's like gives you the thumbs up and you're like alright and you like kind of just drop in. And then some like for me personally I'm just like, I like kind of say the trick in my brain that I'm about to do.
Like at the last Street League, I was like, alright, shove 50/50 and then I'm like and then the first day I didn't really, I didn't land in either of my runs but I had like pretty good best tricks. So, I was able to make it through and just like wasn't really focused. But the second day I was like, alright, like I'm in this. so, you just kind of like you really just got to stay focused and like kind of take it one thing at a time. Like if I'm like okay here I'm going to do shove 50/50 crook and then like kick flip in the bank, that's like your brain just going to like not really be focused on like the one thing. So, you just kind of have to slow everything down and be like yes like I'm being timed. So, like you're aware of that, but like also it's like whenever you come up onto the bank. Like take a second to refocus, like that's my thing.
Like I'll do a trick but then whenever I'm like not on my board, in my run, I'm like okay like let's do it. And then you just kind of keep going, but yeah one thing at a time so it's like you land this then it's like okay I've landed that so like what's next. Then it's like get your brain to do that and then it's like what's next, where am I going. Because I used to get like lost in contest like not really know where I was going. So, I feel like that's just kind of something that I like hyper focus on. It's just like taking one thing at a time make sure I like know where I'm going.
Colby Harris: Yeah, I think that's perfect for any sport like skating or surfing or snowboarding really not even snowboarding of kind of like where you have to design it in that time and place. You don't really have the time to sit in your room the night before and think all about, like okay, well this is you can kind of get a little bit of a plan but if you happen to fall and you don't have that same transition to your next move. Kind of got to deal with the cards you're dealt. Yeah, just another question I want to talk about. So, you'd say you really like to talk to people, which we even experienced this first time we've met immediately. We just kind of jabbing back and forth, having a good conversation before we sat down in the studio. But I know your dad is kind of a bit of a legend and Fernandina, just hanging out always at the skate park. I saw pictures of you guys together on that trip that you just went on. He's hanging out with everybody.
Poe Pinson: Yeah.
Colby Harris: I've never met but I've only heard great things about him. Uh so, I just want to ask what has that meant to you to kind of have someone that you can really fall back on when you need to or someone that you can talk to just what value has that added to your career of just kind of having a rock in your corner.
Poe Pinson: Yeah. Honestly it means a lot. Like without my dad, I definitely wouldn't be like at the place where I'm at. Like he's the reason why I was able to like go to all these contests and stuff. Like before I started getting like support with him and stuff like we've never had like a like a good amount of money. Like we've honestly like never really had any at all but like still somehow, he always made it happen. So yeah, I really look up to him honestly. He is my rock. So, it's kind of just like family life has been kind of hectic and stuff. But he's just, it's just kind of cool to see like because like sometimes I look at him and I'm like what he's done with me is like how you should raise a child. Like in my opinion or like anything close to that. I'm like, wow, like if I have a kid like I want to be like just how my dad was with me. Which I honestly feel like it's kind of rare because a lot of people are like, if I have a kid, I don't want to be anything like my parents. But like yeah, my dad, I don't know sometimes I feel like he thinks I'm like oh whatever dad, but like truly I really love him.
Brian Harbin: Yeah, that's so cool. Do you think a big part of that is because he's letting you kind of chase your passion, or like what else do you think makes him so unique as a dad and like you said your rock?
Poe Pinson: Yeah, for sure. Yeah, he just like kind of supported me. He just kind of like, he's like lived his life and then he just kind of taken that and then just kind of like saw that I really love skateboarding and it was like okay like let's do that. It's like, hey dad, I think I want to try this. okay, like let's do that. It's just kind of like he kind of just goes off of like me basically. He's like, hey, I'm about to go work out. Like do you need this? Like do you need me to leave the door unlocked? Like hey, he just, I don't know. He's really like kind of taken like being a parent into a whole new level. Like he's not and then he's also like kind of good with like he's never been like do the dishes. Clean your room. He's never been like that, or like you have to be home like at this time. He's never been super strict. He's just kind of let me like learn things on my own which is I feel like way more beneficial.
So, it's like I've gotten involved with the cops, but nothing serious. I was like 13 and then he was kind of just if you keep doing that like you're going to see where it gets you. So, it's like okay like I don't even know but like yeah, he's just like kind of like let me do things on my own and just kind of like followed me and just like helped me with it and like mentally too it's really cool. Because sometimes they'll like try to talk to me for a contest and I'm like, dad no. Like I can't right now and then I'm like, oh well, I feel bad. He was just trying to help and then I make sure, I'm like no that, that's just me. Like that did not involve you.
Colby Harris: Just a little hostile preview.
Poe Pinson: Yeah. Just like not feeling it right now.
Brian Harbin: Yeah.
Colby Harris: Yeah, I think that's just super powerful to a parent that's willing to sacrifice everything. Like I totally understand that. I mean I've made more mistakes in my teenage years than most people might make in the first 20 years of their life but I can really appreciate that because my mom's done the same thing even with as you know my brother's photographer in New York City.
Poe Pinson: Yeah.
Colby Harris: No parent is going to you know push their son more often than not to move to New York City with no one to pursue a career that you are artist which is a very tough job.
Poe Pinson: Yeah.
Colby Harris: So, I've always just appreciated that actions speak louder than words. I think that's something he's showing. Every family has those tribulations but to know that you have that backing when you need it, it's always there. Just lucky to have some amazing parents for sure. So, been a pleasure having you here today, Poe. I've loved everything about sharing your story. It's my first time getting here really in depth from your first contest to your first time picking up a skateboard and how you're furthering your career now. So, my last question I have for you, we ask all of our guests this question. We have something called the Grit Creed, which is 12 principles. We believe that everybody could really lead their life by. So, as you familiarize yourself with it, what part of the Grit Creed resonates most with you and why?
Poe Pinson: Honestly, I'm really feeling the one that's like, I will accept the things, I cannot change. Have the courage to change the things I can, and seek the wisdom to know the difference. I feel like you can take that in so many different ways and it's just like sometimes, like more times than not in life, like things will happen and you just kind of like get beat up about it. Then but if you're just like, this is not like I can't control this. Like this is just happening. You just kind of have to like accept everything that's happening especially when there's nothing you can do to change it. So, you're just kind of like okay this is happening yeah, like bummer whatever, but you like the world doesn't stop moving. Like you got to just keep moving.
Then it's like sometimes whenever there are things you can change, you just really have to like get out of like a negative cycle and just like be the change to make yourself better and make everyone else around you better at the same time. Then like seek the wisdom to know the difference. It's you can like okay, like if there's a conflict in your life like no matter what it is, it's like okay, do like is this just happening or like is this happening and I could potentially like change it.
Colby Harris: Make a difference.
Poe Pinson: Yeah, just like I don't know. There's just a lot of ways that you can take it. That's just kind of the way I took it.
Colby Harris: Yeah, well I think that was a great one too and I appreciate that and you sharing that because I think there is just a ton of value in that line of not only are you going to be willing to change it if you can, but having the wisdom to know right and wrong essentially.
Poe Pinson: Yeah.
Colby Harris: So, that's been another great episode here at The “Grit.org” Podcast. We appreciate you guys tuning in. Please check out our other episodes. Leave us a comment. Tell us something you enjoyed about post stories. Share it with someone you think it would resonate with or impact. As always, we appreciate you tuning in for another episode of The “Grit.org” Podcast.