Tony Hawk

The most famous skateboarder ever shares the business secrets to his success! He’s the man who put skateboarding on the map. He’s the first to land a 900 (two and a half full rotations). He’s also among the richest pitchmen in any sport. And, in a sport that’s especially youth-oriented, Tony Hawk, a 40-something father of four, still connects with his audience by staying true to who he is. Moving easily between the ramp and the boardroom, Tony currently runs one of the most acclaimed action sports companies, a clothing line, and video game series bearing his name that has sold over $1 billion worldwide, making it the biggest selling action sports game franchise in game history. He has secured endorsement deals with major brands such as McDonalds, Intel, T-Mobile and Kohl’s; started the Boom Boom HuckJam action sports tour; and achieved worldwide acclaim from the ESPN X Games. Filled with Tony’s typical modesty and humor, How Did I Get Here? tells the amazing story behind Tony Hawk’s unprecedented success from skateboarder to CEO, and the secrets behind his lasting appeal. You’ll find out how authenticity has served him well in all his achievements. You’ll also understand how his story has shaped many of his fundamental values, including his huge desire to win and his strong sense of realism. Get the inside story of Tony Hawk beyond the skateboard as he answers the question: How Did I Get Here?

In this young adult autobiography, Tony Hawk shares the stories from his life that have helped him become a skateboarding hero. Hawk speaks of being a super-competitive ′demon′ child who found peace while on a skateboard. Classmates teased him because of his interest in an ′uncool′ sport. Instead of retaliating with violence, he practised even more. With his story, he will inspire a younger generation of fans to stand up for what they believe in and follow their dreams. Ages 8-12

With this all-access pass, Tony Hawk shares the joy, the exhaustion, the adrenaline, and the pain of life on the road. Between Boardslides and Burnout puts you right on the edge of the ramp and on the road with him — from competitions to demos, to store openings, to autograph signings, to movie sets, and back home. Never before has a professional skateboarder offered such a complete look into his life — and mind.

The world’s leading professional skateboarder and a hero to thousands of Generation Xers, Tony Hawk relives a lifetime of incredible highs and lows in the sport. Tony Hawk, aka The Birdman, has won more than 60 contests, invented close to 50 new manoeuvres and made skateboarding history at the 1999 international championships by landing the first ever 900 degree turn. A veteran of some 20 TV commercials for clients such as Gap and Disney, he is one of the leading heroes of modern-day youth culture. Growing up in Serra Mesa, California, Tony was a hyperactive, tantrum-throwing child, whose only outlet was through boarding. Initially mocked for being an unorthodox ‘circus skater’, before long the doubters were learning the tricks he had pioneered. Tony had invented a new style of skateboarding. His life has been a rollercoaster of incredible highs and spectacular crashes. Tony’s quest to land the fabled 900 resulted in broken bones and spells of unconsciousness too numerous to mention. A millionaire at the age of 18 in the 1980s on the back of the boom in skateboarding, Tony fell into near destitution almost overnight when the fad died away. However he successfully reinvented himself as an extreme boarder in the 1990s and now owns two multi-million dollar companies, Birdhouse Projects and Hawk Clothing, has just produced the bestselling cult skateboarding movie ‘The End’ and released his own PlayStation game. In Hawk Tony goes behind the scenes of competitions, demos and movies and shares the less glamorous demands of being a skateboarder. With brutal honesty he recalls the stories of love, loss, embarrassing 80s clothes and determination that have shaped his life. Depsite the many ups and downs of his career, Tony Hawk’s dedication has made him a god to generations of skateboarders and countless other Generation Xers. His story is a touching tale of perseverance and determination.