Rodney Mullen: BEING | X Games

Take a look inside the most inventive mind in skateboarding, and how overcoming fear and doubt shaped him into becoming one of the most well known innovators and thinkers in the world today.
The World of X Games “Being” series explores an in-depth look inside the lives of the world’s most elite action sports athletes.
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#XGames #Skateboarding #RodneyMullen

[@enjoiNirvana]

I love how articulate Rodney can be despite how hyped and passionate he is for skateboarding. And I love that he looks at it as more than a sport or art, but philosophically, as a metaphor for life itself and everything that it holds.

[@sareykim]

It really shows how passionate he still feels about his love for skateboarding.

[@GabrimoonPlay]

m

[@Firebomber666]

Yeah, unlike most skateboarders he's actually educated -- and most of all -- truly enlightened.

[@RetroHabit82]

The Neil Peart of Skateboarding

[@dngrouscrgo]

enjoiNirvana Mullen is like a God to me but articulate is literally the last word I would use to describe him. Just watch any interview of him where multiple quotes aren’t cut together like here, the guy goes on tangents like nothing I’ve ever seen

[@SimonB.]

Mr. Mullen :"First time you get hurt you have to quit" Rodney: "So i will never fail then"

[@Disciple0fMetal]

Simon B. The begining of an epic tale.

[@TheBrandonmull]

Rodney Mullen in my opinion is hands down the most important force in skatings history.

[@Redburg]

Right beside the zephyr group they somewhat created the line for freestyle stop but Rodney surpassed that line

[@rbeforme]

It's really not even a matter of opinion. You have it right.

[@frankjeager9043]

TheBrandonmull I disagree personally. Because for me I believe he is the most important force in life. Then again I also believe that skating is life.......so ya, I do actually agree with your point.......without Rodney I think I would have only cared about video games. It’s because he is anti social in a sense that I am social. It’s because I’ve seen what is possible from his view that I believe I can create things that in time people may care about. Most importantly on that last point it’s because of him that I don’t care if I’m ever recognised as anything or anyone but some guy from a small little village in Ireland. And thank you Brandon for subliminally motivating me to write this even though it couldn’t have been your intention over a year ago. Keep shredding my G

[@JB-zh1bo]

The Goat.

[@lustforlow-end6022]

I love how humble he is. He genuinely seems like one of the nicest people you’d ever want to meet. He’s definitely a hero of mine 👍

[@MrDraven8665]

I met him. Very very rad dude. Didn’t even act like he was famous at all. Just a fellow skateboarder. Still have the shirt he signed for me

[@Rivalistics]

Seriously Rodney Mullen could cook an egg and if they made a documentary about him doing it id still watch it

[@OmnideusV]

Twisted Rivalry It's not about the egg man. It's about the creators that have taken the convention of egg cooking and helped it transcend to create a community of other egg-loving enthusiests.

[@svenlindroos8830]

Link to egg doco plzz!!😊😊

[@dr.denggerous8314]

Rivalistics l just watched a 9 minute video of a skate park party with Mullens name on the title. Ohhh he's there for a 6 seconds...

[@13jasonkm]

Rivalistics lmao that's the truth!

[@Jarat79]

hmmm, eggs. Good idea, actually! :D

[@conradconrad24]

I love this human.

[@p0w3rbik3]

greatest of all

[@punktilldeath666]

the great Rodney

[@BuckMcAntlerson]

Conrad Gracie I know, right? He makes me want to be a better version of me. To get up and make things happen. To create and inspire! Anyway, right after I watch some more random KZbin vids maybe...

[@MegaTerribleone]

Conrad G

[@MegaTerribleone]

Pu

[@13jasonkm]

I'm 37 now. Rodney has been my favorite skater since I discovered him at the age of 14. I watched his part on an old plan b video so many times. Thank you Rodney.

[@RetroHabit82]

Heroes are forgotten but legends never die.

[@16326]

"The Sandlot"

[@andyjaxxx]

RetroHabit82 Heroes get remembered but legends never die. follow your heart kid and you’ll never go wrong

[@jevinday]

it's actually "heroes get remembered, but legends never die"

[@G0odf3lla]

His talent is as big as his humility. Bless this guy !

[@californiagoodstuff6948]

Rodney Mullen is so chill.

[@Boarder4892]

He may not believe it in himself, but he is a Legend. To be honest, when the Tony Hawk series 1st came out, and I got into skateboarding, Andrew Reynolds was my favorite skater, and I don’t think that lasted for a long time, because by the second game, or what not, I watched videos that had Mullen in them, and saw him doing his technical moves, his freestyle, the stuff other skateboarders even at skate parks when I was skating in my 20s in early 30s, I’m 14 now as of this year, nobody else was doing that, but I loved learning that technical stuff that nobody else was really doing except for maybe I handful of kids spread out over time and that several years. The sport of skateboarding in that condition, with what movies are available is only because of what he helped invent from the base of it on up. Every new, Tony hawks pro skater game that came out, I would specifically play his character first just so I can see his videos at the end, because overtime there were more skate videos that came out that he was in, but because I wasn’t, my time in skateboarding, I haven’t skateboarding in a couple of years, but I do want to get back into it eventually just for fun to see how I fare with it now, but in the later years of my skateboarding, when it was dwindling down, I was always curious to see what video parts he had done and recorded, what was available For him in the game, and because of almost every single new video, he stepped it up, like you would look at these minors, simplistic, looking combos that you would play in a Tony Hawks game and think that that’s almost unrealistic and that it’s only video game worthy to pull off, every new video that he’s put out or every new video that came from his character being played in the game, he pulled something off that was video game like that I’m sure most skaters didn’t even think was possible for a human skateboarder person to pull off on a skateboard, and I always deep down knew that I would see one or two small things knew that he would do that was compared to the unrealistic possibility people that was not possible from a video game playing level. In the round three video that had him and Daewon song, I personally when, in the Tony hawks pro skater, games, playing them, I would always do like it impossible to nose, manual, not the impossible out, and I always thought that was fun to do in a game, in the almost, round three video, he did an impossible to nose manual, Nollie impossible out, and I had for once finally seen a skateboarder pull off something I thought was only possible that a video game, and being him, and the fact that he created the move, I loved the fact that he made what everyone only thought it was possible in a video game, pulled off in real life. I actually love the fact that every new saying he worked on overtime, ended up becoming something you thought you could only doing the game that through his time in his effort, probably countless hours, practicing and obsessively, trying over and over again, that he pulls off the video game thing, and I always thought it was awesome that he pulled off. It was only video game possible, reality possible. He’ll always be my favorite from now on.

[@TheHighCree]

I love Rodney man. He's such a kind soul. Modern day Philosopher

[@iD3vKzHD]

he did tricks 30-20 years ago that noone can do now he's only what he deserve to be a LEGEND

[@utopianfurbiscuit]

Not just that.. But starting hugely influential company's and having, I think, 3 patents for modern skate set ups..

[@Dan-eq8nn]

Rodney is a genious

[@primaryendo]

It's been a couple years since i have checked out what Rodney is doing. It makes me emotional to see him again. Rodney changed my life when i was 13 years old, i started skating, started liking punk rock after watching his 411vm video, and after reading his book i started liking math and so forth. I owe so much to this man. Long live the legend of skating.

[@m00zvrt]

His passion when he talks makes me cry...

[@watercushion]

Shout out to all the supportive Dads out there! Encourage your kids to pursue their passions including skateboarding.

[@SparkySINN]

Discourage your kids. Like Mullens dad . Then they will become absolute legends.

[@MartinKohoutekchannel]

I hope his dad already admited he was wrong and I hope he's proud of his son. Because those things he said to him?! Man that is so disturbing. Poor little Rodney.

[@anonimus9921]

Yeah idk, his dad had a valid argument. Rodney did Rodney which is always the best move.

[@EtherDotterMatterBitter]

Agreed but maybe it was the best motivation for him at the same time. To stay true to himself despite what everybody else thinks.

[@TheRickyp83]

To be fair, you've gotta put yourself in the mind of a father of high expectations for his intelligent son. (Rodney was a smart child)....back in the 70s. Back then, skateboarding was only a decade or so old and it was essentially nothing more than teen surfers who rode skateboards on concrete and bowls when the waves were low. What Rodney was doing back then was even less popular than bowl skating. It was the stuff only a small amount of guys were doing. Honestly it was more of a girl-thing. Freestyle skateboarding in the 70s was kinda like ice skating on a skateboard. It hadn't been around very long, hardly anyone was doing anything very impressive and there was no way to see some sort of future success for anyone to do it into adulthood. So if anything, his dad was just trying to be a responsible father looking out for the best for his son, the best he could. It'd be like 15 years ago and your son started riding those stupid scooters. You wouldn't see him possibly having any real future in it and you'd want your son to stay focused on school. Can't hate him for that.

[@the6ig6adwolf]

Martin Kohoutek his dad sounds like a very small, insensitive and cold-hearted man. I doubt sadly that he ever apologized. Some people are far to stubborn to apologize.

[@foofo2k]

+Chris L Well, his dad was an authoritarian with high education (dentist) and background from the military. I also read someone mention Mullen talking about his father being abusive in his biography, but that doesn't neccessarily mean he was physically violent, but nevertheless. But I believe it's more of a grey zone, and not so black and white. His father did build him a concrate shed with aircondition so he could skate, he gave him his board and he probably did love his son. I also read that Mullen and his father came to peace before his father died.

[@itdobesuckin]

this is THE man. godfather of skateboarding

[@highrailforlife9574]

Rodney is the most influential skater of all time. There will never be another Rodney because every trick invented now and forever Rodney layed the groundwork and the mechanics for pretty much every trick

[@mowtime]

Living legend 👌

[@maxiepattie85]

With out a doubt !!!

[@whatfreedom7]

Benjamin Kissick no doubt tony hawk is too. They weren't my favorites but they deserve to be in a skateboard hall of fame.

[@qislegit.donttrustthemedia6232]

@@whatfreedom7 Hawk is a perv though

[@tony_XXX]

i'd do anything to meet him. was such a huge influence on my life, i would love to thank him

[@daviddarko2665]

I'm with you man. I just want to give him a hug or something. Lol

[@MrNerdyBrit]

I just want to tell him how much value he's given the world, and I'd love to thank him for all of the inspiration.

[@badmanners619]

Rodney has such a warm, genuine personality. What a nice guy on top of being an incredible skateboarder. Innovator, Legend, Godfather.

[@GR-zo8gi]

The Ted Talk was awesome. Like many others Mullen is a great role model for doing what you love. I love flat ground for the fact there is pavement nearly everywhere, and its you vs you with regards to creation and technique!

[@jakketchum5041]

I have never been a skater, but since I was 9 (21 now) years old, he has been my biggest role model; biggest inspiration.

[@danjajeff1404]

I met rodney Mullen back in 94 or 95 in San Diego California back when I started skating and he is an awesome dude. He very briefly taught me how to heel flip. A very humble and all around great dude and the biggest influence among all the pros of that time I met.

[@joshuadansby2874]

Rodney Mullen for President!

[@jakketchum5041]

I'm down.

[@OmniKingBey]

Joshua Dansby You ain't never lying LMAO! 😂👍💯

[@abysssss]

absolutely! *

[@jettvassallotv9268]

Rodney mullen is the only person who literally makes my jaw drop and believe the impossible

[@fastballfilms4214]

The GOAT!

[@franckydookie]

The goatfather of skateboarding

[@MrLovemesuckme]

The power of true inspiration is so strong that it has already sent out waves to the remotest part and here I am joining the skateboard league. Love India.

[@broda769]

A truly enlightened individual.

[@dakillah6018]

bruh for real i was searching for a spiritual comment.

[@rbeforme]

"god" has nothing to do with it. Hate to burst it for you. There is no such thing as "god".

[@Jeff9202]

@@rbeforme no one mentioned any "god" on this comment, troll elsewhere, child..

[@rbeforme]

yes master...feed me your wisdom

[@user-bu5fg6rz9x]

If he never skated,he would be doing something else .....maybe art related and be the best in what he is doing.What a great person

[@Kari2025]

If you haven't read his autobiography, you should! It's a fantastic read and really tells you a lot about his childhood with this very stritct Dad.

[@johnjacobjingle7177]

Love Rodney so much... No one even comes close to how perfect he skated...Like if he ever messed up it was confusing...He just nailed 99.9... ridiculous... Thanks for being you Rodney

[@FormulatedButterCoping]

Saw Rodney in San Francisco back in about 82/83. Tried talking to him but he got spooked. He really was a very shy young man.

[@xxn0thing]

I've been skating since 1984. I have to say, I think Mullen is probably the best ever.

[@ropearoni4]

Ever since I saw him and PW do flatland (as I called it because I do bmx) in '85 vids, he's been my favorite rider. He is the Kevin Jones (bmx flatland trick innovator extraordinaire) of Skating. I learned tail pogos back then, and do them now when I borrow a kid's skate. ; )

[@erick05700]

It's impossible to say enough good things about the man. He is a treasure to the sports world and humanity. Thanks for everything Mr. Mullen

[@MrFloris]

Every time in my life when someone asked me who you'd rather be as a person, in regards to what you mean to the world, your personality, and how humble you are or how violent you wish to be. Rodney was my choice. He aimed to what he wanted to achieve, worked beyond hard to get it, and then pushed it to the next level. While staying humble and so kind. What an amazing inspiration.

[@thinkforyourself5672]

I wish every skateboarder realized what this guy did for skating. He's literally a genius. He invented more tricks than any onc person should be able to lol. He's amazing. And seems like the most down to earth dude ever

[@theprojectchannel5045]

I'm glad he didn't listen to his dad. You changed the world of skateboarding for the better

[@fatalcrack3600]

I wonder what his father says now I notice he doesn’t talk about his dad.

[@kluse.2329]

Skake boarding is a sport , and to watch it is like art in motion , rodney is a real genius to be able to come up with that many tricks .

[@DaveButtons]

I really don’t have a designated topic Rodney needs to speak on, I can listen to him talk all day. Heard HIM tell his story for over a decade and still sounds harmonic to the ear. Hope I meet this chap before the end

[@_baller]

I love that primo slide.. I wanna see more of that, and dark side 360 flip

[@aslocumtattoos3068]

Literally, there is no more genuine or kind human being on this planet. A true inspiration in every way.

[@blgmonster1631]

This is the guy if I could ever met this guy it would change my life I love everything that he has done he is an inspiration

[@blgmonster1631]

Legend pure legend I need to meet this guy

[@stanleyshady9465]

Some say his father was wrong to have tried to making him quit, but I think its the fact that he KNEW he couldn't do this for a long time given his dad's stipulations, that made him want to excel in it ever more if he was told he could skate forever. Since he knew he didn't have much time, it made him make the most of it. Thats how you should life life. Really make the most of it cuz one day you wont be able to.

[@benalfthan428]

He was in my town in the 90s and he was so amazing! Really friendly a answered all my stupid questions.. I was about 13.. And i still have his autograph showed on the wall, for all the people that comes to our house!

[@daviddarko2665]

Can I come to your house? J/K Great story.

[@JTNugget]

Been my favorite skater for about 20 years now. Ever since I was a kid. Always seemed like he was the skater who was most in love with the art. GOAT in my book.

[@conspiraciesarejustgreatst2059]

Rodney is such a cool guy. He's got an amazing personality, he's driven and he's so smart and well spoken you have to love the guy. Hard to believe a guy like him who suffers with social issues was able to jump into the public eye and fullfil his obligations. True man right there... overcame his biggest challenge yet he stayed the same guy that whole time. He didn't turn into a primadonna in any way. Love you Rodney. My favorite skater of all time and I ALWAYS used you when I played the Tony Hawk games.

[@strangebeave]

It’s not pathetic at all, that he is still skateboarding at any age, it is in fact inspiring. Sk8 or die my dudes!

[@IAmKillEveryone]

The undisputed greatest of all time. This is your favorite skaters favorite skateboarder. And a genuinely rad human being.

[@jaykoons]

I met him once in Venice, with Steve Alva, and Jason Jesse, all 3 incredible true O.G. men of the sport. Rodney, and Steve always known for doing the work longest 1 footed nose manual. All 3 truly missed in our sport of sk8boarding. .

[@weareeternalband586]

This is the only skater I have never seen fall, now I know why. Rodney's dad, your son is a genius.

[@aaroncates1606]

Rodney never ceases to make me smile..

[@skatemobster]

I met Rodney at Disc world in Ohio when he was on A-team and i remember him getting out of the van and people just cheering. He hadn't even done anything yet. Then when the demo was over he sat there with me and my friends just talking to us like we were anybody else. And he was showing us how to underflip cause one my friends had asked him and he went thru each step of the trick showing us cause he really cared that we understood it. Qe never could do them but just having Rodney talk to me and my friends meant the world to us. Such a awesome human being.

[@jasonkanokaroke]

A friend and I saw Rodney by a skate shop in the early 80's. We both had freestyle boards and we were a bit star struck to just see him, there was no demo no crowds. In a very complimentary voice I was like, "where do you get your balance from?" and he was like "my mom" and skated off. We were both just fans and I was just trying be friendly and break the ice and say hello. We would have loved to hang out and talk to him.

[@daviddarko2665]

Im absolutely in awe of this man. I've watched him grow up, and turn this wonderful idea of sk8boarding.... into pure magic. Thank you SO much Rodney. Who you are, and what you have done for sk8boarding, has a place in all of our hearts. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[@leroyshipp7532]

One of the best pioneers of skateboarding around. Thank you Rodney for all you have done and showed us !

[@hypnotoad4293]

He looks and sounds like such a Lovely person, someone you would be friends with for life, I wish i had friends.

[@MalakianM2S]

The world really needs more Rodney Mullens, a lot of more.

[@jevinday]

He's a genius...the epitome of virtuosity. He has inspired SO many people. I remember when Tony Hawk 4 came out they included all the flatground tricks that you could use to connect your combos and score HUGE points. After playing for a couple hours I'd go outside and try to casper, pogo, primo, all of that haha. It was so much fun trying to be Rodney Mullen. He is the God of skateboarding. Him and Tony Hawk.

[@SirDersthe3rd]

i work in autobody and i love this Rod Dude

[@Woodywoodah]

I love that Mullen draws comparisons between Skateboarding and developing open source software.

[@Matt-nb6wd]

So happy I got the chance to meet him when I was 11 along with Chris Haslem and Louie Lopez.

[@zucre6270]

People have all kinds of heroes like Spiderman, superman etc. But me rodney since I was 8 years old I looked up to him he's my childhood hero

[@cica21]

One of the greatest legends ever!!!

[@retro__glitch1572]

Rodney Mullen will always be my well our favorite skateboarder of all time he inspired so many new skaters everyday very much respect from him

[@GabrieleBonetti]

The greatest of all times in his trade. Period. And what a humble pure human being.

[@forformgamer]

David Gilmour is a guitar player that can make everyone love guitar... This man makes everyone who dislikes skateboarding a fan. Even his dad...

[@setaside2]

I wish this were true but I sincerely doubt his father ever admitted his error... Or ever gave credit to Rodney for even a percentage of what he became.

[@hartofvg2691]

This man will never be forget.

[@prawn8574]

A true legend and god father of skating! Deserves more credit than he gets. I grew up watching him and Dave Mirra change Skateboarding and BMX into what they are today.

[@thomaspeake6448]

Nobody will ever come near doing what this man can do with a board!! 🤘😜🍻

[@utopianfurbiscuit]

What a humble n peaceful person.... Such an inspirational human being... This n the Bob burquist episode makes me tear up almost.. The sport would be a lot different if those two never decided to start skateboarding..

[@falcosk8]

I'm glad the world has Rodney Mullen!!

[@d20207]

What a legend! I can notice that he is a shy person for not saying weird. I can understand why he was the only one practising 9 hours a day.

[@magrildz]

Simply the greatest of all time.

[@papadom8123]

man i was born in 94 and i remember being 4 or 5 years old watching Mullen VHS tapes all night

[@elliott3858]

I could watch Rodney skate and listen to him talk all day. I have never been so in love with the soul of another person.

[@garlanddavidson6845]

Rodney Mullen is the Grandmaster...he was one of the main catalyst of the whole skateboarding movement. my all time Hero of freestyle and streetskating he made up most of the tricks that you see today. If Rodney was a Jedi he'd be Yoda..

[@he-mansfurrytrunks4399]

Cool, wise, kind and creative ....love this guy

[@davadur]

Legend. Inspiration. Innovation. Humbleness. Freestyle at its best. That's Rodney

[@shaunmostert1585]

Rodney Mullen's TeD talk is the best!

[@jeremiahwilson1781]

Gonz was good. Real good. As was Natas and a few other street skaters. Hawk and Hosoi were kings of ramp and park skating. All air..all the time. Back then Freestyle was rather lame except when Mullen stepped up. After he left Powell he took it to a whole other level. Where no one else was even thinking about. By far Rodney "the Mutt" Mullen is the greatest skateboarder ever. Of all time. Period. No question about it.

[@t100base]

don't forget gator and lance and steve

[@einc70]

t100base yeah these were the 80s. Then new breeds came in, the H-Street guys (Danny Way etc..), World Industries (Mullen... etc...) Blind (Jason Lee, mariano, johnson etc.), Powell (Mckay etc...) came in the picture in the early 90s. Then bye to the 80s...

[@seriousbismuth2173]

@@t100base hahahaha!! Gator😋 R.I.P. Gator..🤘

[@qislegit.donttrustthemedia6232]

My favorite skater of all time. Dude is brilliant

[@wartamarhaen2444]

seems like he always smile, such a humble guy :)

[@mneo212]

I remember seeing a video with him for the first time in 2000. It was like seeing magic on 4 wheels.

[@timothy9596]

You will always be my hero Rodney. And you will always be the best skateboarder that ever lived. Peace

[@QuincyKane]

I love Rodney; so inspiring!

[@fallenhw]

The God of skating!

[@32cactusking]

Rodney is the man, the legend! Such a humble person. An amazing human being, through and through.

[@BrandonKohout]

For a skateboarder, he makes a pretty good motivational speaker.

[@duadinihari]

He's a joy to watch & listen to..

[@JonnyBetz]

listening to this dude really made me better

[@b13sem]

rodney outdone him self, hes tricks are unreal

[@jonquille_La_fripille]

Best skateur ever !!! Mr Rodney Mullen

[@Darvistas]

This man is simply beautiful...

[@nameofthegame9664]

This guy was my childhood hero, and still kinda is. I would love to grab a beer with him someday and just chill.

[@ginormousthumbs]

The more I watch Rodney the more I love his entire being.

[@Illuminatethedark_]

How can you not love the guy❤️

[@brokenshoe1775]

A truely inspirational human being

[@chrisharrisseacaptainchris]

Dude ,Rodeny ,You are suchan inspiration!