Oct. 03, 2010
It’s strange that the title of this post begins with “Freedom Skate Day 28,” since my actual official skate across America begins tomorrow in NYC. I started tracking it the day that Dillon and I hopped in the RV to head down to NYC to prepare for my skate, which starts Monday, Oct. 4th, 2010.
The last four months have been an incredible period of adjustment, change, challenges, work, and growth. The period leading up to my departure from MI was full of surprises, successes, failures, fear, doubt, pain, and ultimately, redemption. Finding the perfect business partner to come along for this crazy adventure, Dillon Norton, was serendipitous to say the least. Also, finding the perfect sponsor, APV, who shared my vision for both this skate and the changes I hope to create in society was incredible. It did not come easy; I had to have the vision and the faith that this skate would happen no matter what. Two weeks out from leaving for NYC, my support team and I had no money, no follow vehicle, and no speaking opportunities nailed down. We were moving forward purely on faith and vision, because we believed it would happen anyway, no matter what. And so it has.
I’ve skated right down the streets of NYC. I’ve spoken at Harvard, Yale, and a global startup competition. I’ve met more incredible and visionary people in the last month than in all of my life combined before hand. And though it has not been easy (doubt and hard times before leaving MI and crashing the RV and spending the last week fixing it), my experiences since the idea came to me on Memorial Day have forever altered my destiny. I see possibilities on the horizon that make even skating across America seem like a small task. I’m excited for the things to come: the people I’ll meet, the experiences I’ll have, and the change I hope to inspire.
Thanks to everyone who has supported me up until now, and now allow me to invite you to come along, as I begin the journey of a lifetime: A 3000 Mile Skate across America for Freedom. Please, spread the word!
I have a great video I wanted to upload here, but the crazy internet is too slow. I’ll try to upload at some point tomorrow… after skating! 😉
For now: One more time with this song:
