Flow State with Harry Mack

Tony Hawk: From Outcast To Legend

Flow State with Harry Mack

Show Notes

Harry welcomes legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk to the studio for Episode 17 of Flow State Podcast. Harry and Tony talk about when it’s ok to skateboard through an international airport, going pro at age 14, and choosing between skateboarding and music. Harry geeks out about playing Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 on N64 as a kid and Tony talks about how The 900 made it into the game with moments to spare. After reflecting on a life and legacy in the evolving sport of skateboarding, Harry recaps the episode in freestyle with a few of Tony’s suggestions thrown in…

Australia and New Zealand Odyssey Tour Tickets Now Available: https://www.rabbitgroup.com/tours/harry-mack#tours

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Airport Skating https://x.com/tonyhawk

Glossary of Skateboarding Terms https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-skate-lingo

Hawk Interview - Thrasher Magazine, May 1985 https://www.thrashermagazine.com/articles/magazine/may-1985/

Dogtown and Z-Boys https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0275309/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogtown_and_Z-Boys

Original Zypher Team Photo: Glen E. Friedman

Tony Hawk goes pro at 14 | Handplant https://www.tonyhawk.com/media

Eddie Elguera https://www.elguera.com/

Eddie Elguera | Elguerial - Del Mar Hester Series 1979 Photo: William Sharp

Birdhouse Skateboards "The End" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOsGMM2H1WA

Tony Hawk | The Loop Photo: Atiba Jefferson

Gang of Four Photo: Adrian Boot

First 900 | X Games 1999 https://youtu.be/4YYTNkAdDD8?si=m5N7TgECC8uPc6tL

First 720 | Eurocana Skate Camp - Hagernas, Sweden 1985 http://facebook.com/TonyHawk

Andy Anderson | Dream Trick https://www.youtube.com/@berrics

“Do A Kickflip!” | The Berrics https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ob0dI05Xz8s

Burnside Skatepark https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burnside_Skatepark

Rodney Mullen | Ollie Impossible - Oceanside 1986 https://www.youtube.com/@80sFreestyle

The Skatepark Project https://skatepark.org/

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Timestamps 00:00:00 Intro 00:03:25 Skateboarding Around Town and In Airports 00:05:33 Back to the Beginning 00:07:58 Tony Defines His Own Style 00:09:37 Competitions and Going Pro at 14 00:19:08 Skating Hero Did One of Tony’s Tricks 00:22:00 The Loop 00:24:05 Getting in the Flow State 00:26:09 Tony Hawk’s Pro Skate 00:27:43 Improvisation vs Planning 00:31:06 Pre-Skating Routines 00:33:35 Landing the 900 00:38:43 Skate Combos in Real Life 00:43:10 Choosing Skating Over the Violin 00:46:25 A New Era of Skating 00:50:35 Fatherhood 00:52:12 The Skatepark Project 00:53:52 Do What You Love 00:56:27 Closing Freestyle

More from Flow State with Harry Mack

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In Episode 42 of Flow State Podcast, Harry settles into a new studio and reflects on the question, “Have I made it yet?” This episode’s Moments of Flow clips feature Busta Rhymes and Ethan Hawke, resulting in discussions of writing bars ahead of time, and the value of art. Harry considers the balance between cleverness and technique when creating, and talks about the process of practicing new skills. Finally, he reacts to a fan-submitted freestyle, and closes the episode out with some bars of his own.

Aug 31, 2026

In Episode 41 of Flow State Podcast, Harry reflects on the lack of permanence in life as he prepares to move again, and explores how constantly chasing new gear can become a form of procrastination. He discusses the minimum conditions needed to create, how to push through mental fatigue, and whether it’s actually possible to perfect the art of freestyle. After responding to a fan-submitted freestyle, Harry puts the episode’s ideas to the test with a freestyle of his own.

Aug 10, 2026

In Episode 40 of Flow State Podcast, Harry reflects on his recent European tour and explores the power of musical influence in this episode’s Moments of Flow featuring Branford Marsalis. In Meet The Team, video editor Todd asks Harry how he processes the impact his work has on fans’ lives. Harry also answers questions about what makes a freestyle memorable, his thoughts on AI freestyles, and just how far ahead he thinks while freestyling. After reacting to a fan-submitted freestyle, Harry recaps the episode in classic Flow State fashion.Show Notes: Iconoclast https://www.harrymackofficial.com/iconoclast Branford Marsalis https://www.branfordmarsalis.com/ Marsalis Family https://marsalismusic.com/marsalis-family Art Blakey http://artblakey.com/ Philly Joe Jones https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philly_Joe_Jones Papa Jo Jones https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jo_Jones Big Sid Catlett https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sid_Catlett Kenny Clarke https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenny_Clarke Todd Bishop https://www.instagram.com/bldg17/ www.toddbishop.co Omegle Bars 18 (with Di3sel Optic) https://youtu.be/VBBMfHGMs7Isi=0EbPR0rvEIVvCOyQ&t=785 Kendrick Video https://youtube.com/shorts/91G9Y4Fj_Ls Drive-By Freestyles In NYC - Nobody Saw It Coming https://youtu.be/iwitE5_mW60 Harry Mack Turns Up The SEC Championship Tailgate | Guerrilla Bars 73 https://youtu.be/WUmFHa73rDI The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron https://bookshop.org/a/102858/9780143129257 My Most Embarrassing Moments in Freestyle | Flow State with Harry Mack #39 (Saul Good Freestyle) https://youtu.be/MfLYdyw2CEs?si=hqSCrIALviYg-Ahw&t=4780 Wozz Beats https://www.youtube.com/@wozzbeats/videos

Jul 20, 2026

In Episode 39 of Flow State Podcast, Harry returns with a solo episode as he prepares for his European tour. This episode’s Moments of Flow features Rick Rubin talking about ignoring the outcome when being creative, and a bonus Moment of Flow features a costumed character absolutely shredding it on the drums. In Meet The Team, iKaanic asks Harry about his obsession with practicing. Harry also reflects on embarrassing moments that have stayed with him over the years, reacts to a fan-submitted freestyle, and closes the episode with his signature recap freestyle.

Jun 29, 2026

In Episode 38 of Flow State Podcast, Harry returns with a solo episode introducing the world to his alter ego, "Vacation Harry," and reflecting on the importance of rest, balance, and creativity. This episode’s Moments of Flow features Austin Kleon, who shares why there’s no finish line to a creative life, along with a bonus moment of inspiration from David Bowie. In Meet The Team, Cheyne asks Harry how becoming a father has influenced his creativity. Harry also answers fan questions about the relationship between music and memory, finding flow state in the kitchen, and rap’s lasting influence, before reacting to a fan-submitted freestyle and closing the episode with some bars.

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