Rodney Mullen's Best Advice from Bones Brigade

I've heard plenty of people say we need to "look within" to understand ourselves, but when Rodney Mullen says that, he actually understands what that means. He says, "Be away, break away. And look in, not outward." It's sounds simple enough, but I don't think very many of us actually know how far in to look, or how much to break off, and we still so often pull from what is outside of us to define what is in us.
Of course that's not to say we should be without community. Rodney highlights the importance of his community and the gift of their synergy. But lets not fear being alone with our thoughts, and take the time to understand and asses ourselves. Look at what Rodney gave to his community when he knew who he was.
I cut together everything he shared that made an impression on me. Maybe it's not all "advice", but it's certainly insightful.
This is from the documentary BONES BRIGADE.

[@sturgeon510]

Rodney sounds like a preacher in the church of skate , appreciate and share your love for skateboarding thank you for pioneering

[@decoeric]

I met Rodney a few years ago after a talk that he gave. I got his autograph and thanked him for being such a huge part of my life growing up with the Brigade. He was genuinely appreciative and we had a short but incredible conversation.

[@Toebex]

I had exactly the same experience. I told him that he inspired me to actually go for it and do my first ever piano show. I gave him one of my posters as a gift and he asked me to sign it for him because he was so proud of me. It was the greatest moment of my life.

[@KatzProductionsYT]

"Dont let anything poison your individuality" Felt this all my life but Rodney articulated it.

[@buddylewie]

Rodney is as real as it gets.

[@robertseptim3579]

Protect this man at every cost, he speaks wisdom that goes beyond skating

[@VenomRoadRacing]

The same fundamentals apply to everything in life. In his case it just happens to be in the path of skating.

[@Skapo]

Rodney is a beautiful soul. Was such a huge inspiration for me growing up.

[@richardolson7157]

Rodney Mullen is the Shakespeare of skateboarding. He is poetry in motion. It is so refreshing to behold a master at his craft and to hear him put into words his love for the art form. Thank you brother Rodney for representing us skateboarders so eloquently. Your style and unique contribution can never be duplicated. It is so grounding when I step on a skateboard. We have been doing it so long it is part of our core being. And for that brief bit of time, we are truly free.

[@4theluvofnitrous740]

When i watched that documentary rodneys storyed deeply impacted me. My relationship with my father was the same. I find inspiration and will in his story i dont receive from many people. Im so glad i got the chance to see it.

[@alephtav1901]

Rodney, I dont know if you will read this man..... but Brother your individual contribution to the world, to all of mankind MOST DEFINITELY has meaning, much of which may not even be known of right now..... your very existence and all of the hard work you put in to your joy and passion will spill over into future generations to come for a very long time I suspect. Love you Brother!!!

[@kingkev6338]

I really do hope I find something in this world that gives me a feeling as deep as Rodney’s for skateboarding, man it’s almost like second hand goosebumps just hearing him explain the beauty and craft of what he loves and just the all around beauty of having a passion at all that makes you finally find your worth.

[@Vincentlabz]

"You build a house but you can't live in it because you're busy outside guarding it." Bruh.

[@infa1v1ous]

Classical music hits different. Loved it since I was young

[@WhoDat1976]

This man is so unique and I love him for that

[@tiffanyraeann]

Thank you for posting this! I’m watching the bones brigade doc with just some exposure to Rodney and this by far was my fav part! He’s so cool 🥹

[@MarlainaSmith]

Right on! When I'd watched it, I was hoping someone had picked this part out and I couldn't find it, so I put it up here. Glad you could revisit it! He's super cool indeed.

[@Sorcerer_Apprentice]

The simple fact that such a genius has dedicated himself to skateboarding is such a gift for us. When I listen to Rodney, it reminds me of Robin Cousin for ice skating. They have such a unique view of their art.

[@mordie31]

"Like a Kafka short story; you build something but you can't live in it because you sit around guarding it" .. wow.

[@notsure7060]

You made my youth . I will always love u my man .... i still got botleg vhs from both you and Tony .....

[@kp905]

Rodney is so amazing.

[@joeymoehlenkamp1097]

fucking love rodney man

[@ElennaGalitzen]

Awsome dude, Awsome life, Awsome job! love this mans story!

[@Mr.Rogers143]

I got out of skating when I was about 17. This was before KZbin. In the early 2000's the only thing I could find on Rodney was a few clips from the Tony Hawk games, and a handful of 90 second Quicktime videos that took an hour to load. Seeing him now in these interviews, I never new anything about his quirkiness. To me he does seem a bit eccentric.... and I love it! I'm sure it's been said millions of times before, but he is like the Mozart of skateboarding.

[@MarlainaSmith]

That must be wild to hear him describe his life after watching him for so long! He's a real interesting guy, huh? It's worth checking out the Bones Brigade documentary to hear how the other skaters talk about him too haha. There's a full version of it on KZbin: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWbOcmhtft6kd6s&pp=ygUNYm9uZXMgYnJpZ2FkZQ%3D%3D

[@Mr.Rogers143]

@@MarlainaSmith ​ REALLY interesting. Kinda glad to know he wasn't one of the bad-boy rebellious types. Wish I could have seen this as a kid. I had so much trouble trying to force myself to fit in to friend groups growing up. Boo hoo lol. But I'll definitely check out that doc. You're pretty btw. Thanks again!

[@josephlawlor7458]

Wise dude

[@davidharris4030]

People don’t realize all the pioneers of this sport . There some that do but a lot have no clue the actual true history. The younger generations probably think it goes much further back in time. In actuality it only goes back 70 years which is only one generation. Rodney Mullin is a superstar and innovator in this sport we all love called skateboarding. I don’t think there will ever be someone of his caliber to ever come along. At least to the degree of game changing!

[@martinsmithson7292]

Icon

[@ronbarok4]

🐐

[@treznev.v2]

me an my friends went into the phone book an called everything single number asking if it was the pro skateboarder?! I bought Tony hawk game but to me it was a Rodney simulator

[@LiveFreeOrRIP]

to be the best you have to be a tab bit crazy. Look at Bobby Ficher. Some folks say Nickola Tesla was bat shit crazy. Yet he invented so many things that its mind blowing. AND what MORE mind blowing is Not many people know of his inventions. Same for Mullen... Rodney created 3 variations to tricks before he named the 1st one....

[@uuiam]

While I understand that the history tends to call or characterize these individuals "crazy", it is very important to start changing that into what it is. Most of these individuals aren't "crazy" but instead neuroatypicals, as in people whose brains simply work differently, making them different than the "average" person. "Crazy" is a negative and misinformed label, though the use of it mostly comes from lack of understanding. Neuroatypical however correctly recognizes a person's features without labeling. It isn't craziness or insanity that causes these individuals to just stumble across something remarkable that in certain cases change history, but being gifted/having features that allow them to focus, think and work differently than the "average" person. These individuals often have the ability to think outside of the box and commit to doing it in that way sometimes resulting in discovery. Different isn't the same as crazy.

[@ianlittle202]

😊 Promo>SM!!!

[@snoopdoggdankkush9285]

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[@g.prince6265]

In va.beach Caballero took his helmet off and his bangs were down past his chin and weeks later everyone had that look,including myself,oh yeah he was doing like 10 ft. Airs too.mt.trashmore 🤘

[@theshamanarchist5441]

What a knob-end. Great skater though.