#168 | Joey Nelsen - Skateboarding With My Son and POV of A 9 Year Old.

Becoming Human

In episode 168 of the Becoming Human Podcast, I talk to my son - Joey Nelsen about what life looks like from the perspective of a 9-year-old. Joey has started skateboarding consistently and passionately 6 months ago. Skateboarding and scootering are difficult skillsets to master. The side-effects of practicing demanding and highly consequential skills are important to me when I think of how to ready someone for the rigors of life. When someone is engaged voluntarily with something, inspired even, they can reach unbelievable potential. They might just experience the most important thing which is to live a life well-lived.

A life well-lived isn’t constantly chasing increasing highs until our inevitable death. A life well-lived is being aware of this very moment. Think of how we take our lives for granted. We get accustomed to pleasantries like a hot shower, a comfortable bed, etc… Practicing having fewer pleasantries or taking a break from sugar will increase your sensitivity or appreciation of these experiences. A problem with teaching these practices is that when it’s delivered with an authoritarian vessel or even factually then it’s often seen as a chore or doing so just to be seen as virtuous.

There’s a ton of recreation and utility experiences that demand us to act medicinally or therapeutically. Skateboarding and Scootering have certainly become that for my son.