Author | Lightnews

What Shapes Us Podcast @whatshapesus.bsky.social · Sep 8

"My parents told me being different was a good thing."

Mikey February reflects on surfing at a beach his father once wasn’t allowed to access, and how embracing his uniqueness became an act of quiet resistance.

#MikeyFebruary #Surfing #BeDifferent #Legacy

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What Shapes Us Podcast @whatshapesus.bsky.social · Aug 25

That kind of confidence is a privilege Faith Briggs Rose shares what it's like to show up in rooms without a safety net and why moving with courage, even while shaking, is a quiet form of power.

#FaithBriggsRose #YouBelong #ImposterSyndrome

What Shapes Us Podcast @whatshapesus.bsky.social · Aug 11

"I miss being fully present. No calls, no emails, no noise—just the moment."

Lindsey Vonn reflects on what fades after retirement and what still grounds her. The gym became her place to reconnect with that focus.

#LindseyVonn #Focus #AthleteTransition #Mindfulness #StillnessInMotion

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What Shapes Us Podcast @whatshapesus.bsky.social · Aug 4

"I was floating above the bay. I saw the waves, the boats, my friends… and thought I was gone."

Koa Smith describes the surreal moment after a violent concussion underwater. Peace. Detachment. Then suddenly, the instinct to survive kicked in.

#KoaSmith #Surfing #SurvivalStory #NearDeath #Ocean

What Shapes Us Podcast @whatshapesus.bsky.social · Jul 28

Chloe Kim shares how pain fueled her performance—but healing gave her the power to keep her edge with compassion.

What’s something powerful you’ve reclaimed through self-care? #ChloeKim #MentalHealth #Fearless #Snowboarding #SelfHealing

What Shapes Us Podcast @whatshapesus.bsky.social · Jul 21

"I didn’t realize the book was about depression until I saw how sad I felt editing joyful photos."
Through therapy, art, and friendship, she found a way through.

#GabriellaAngottiJones #MentalHealth #Depression #CreativeHealing #HealingThroughArt

What Shapes Us Podcast @whatshapesus.bsky.social · Jul 14

Chris, collaborating with Mickey Hart and John Mayer at The Sphere, shows how collective creativity can evolve into something spiritual. This is what happens when rhythm, vision, and legacy align.

#GratefulDead #TheSphere #ChrisBenchetler #MickeyHart #CollaborativeArt #JohnMayer #PsychedelicLegacy

What Shapes Us Podcast @whatshapesus.bsky.social · May 16

"Pain is temporary, but what it teaches you can last a lifetime."

Sometimes, the hardest moments lead to the most powerful breakthroughs—if you let them. It’s about accepting the flow, not resisting it.

#TrevorAndrew #ArtLife #CreativeBreakthroughs #PainIntoPower

What Shapes Us Podcast @whatshapesus.bsky.social · May 7

Kate Courtney isn’t just racing for medals. She’s racing to find her limits. That voice that says “there’s more in you”—that’s the one she’s listening to.

What’s the one thing you’re still trying to prove to yourself? #KateCourtney #Cycling #HighPerformance #PersonalGrowth #ChaseYourPotential

What Shapes Us Podcast @whatshapesus.bsky.social · May 5

"If I had waited for someone to greenlight my project, it never would’ve happened."

This is a reminder: a pitch deck isn’t a finished product. These days, everyone has the tools—you’ve got to make something, not just talk about it.

#MonicaMedellin #SurfGirls #IndependentFilmmaking #StartCreating

What Shapes Us Podcast @whatshapesus.bsky.social · May 2

"There was a time when carrying a skateboard made you a target."

Tony Hawk’s dad wasn’t just his supporter—he was one of the first advocates for skateboarding as a real sport. One voice pushing back made a difference.

#TonyHawk #Skateboarding #SkateCulture #Advocacy #SupportMatters

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What Shapes Us Podcast @whatshapesus.bsky.social · Apr 30

"So many get to operate outside the bracket. Why shouldn’t we?"

Call someone “just a skater” or “just an artist” and you miss everything else. We’re out here being full humans—committed, creative, and showing up.

#ChaseHall #SkateCulture #BlackCreatives #MultifacetedLife #BreakTheMold

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What Shapes Us Podcast @whatshapesus.bsky.social · Apr 28

"One lesson. A warm night in Venice. Jasmine in the air. And a skateboard that changed everything."

Sometimes, you don’t realize you’re living the moment that will define you.

#Grlswirl #LucyOsinski #Skateboarding #LifeMoments #Surfskate

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What Shapes Us Podcast @whatshapesus.bsky.social · Apr 25

"My grandpa didn’t tell me to stick to the path. He said: 'Let’s figure it out together.' "

Now, jumping my motorcycle is where I feel most alive.

Who’s someone who gave you the freedom to dream differently?

#TylerBereman #FamilySupport #MotocrossLife #ChaseYourDreams

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What Shapes Us Podcast @whatshapesus.bsky.social · Apr 23

"He didn’t have the money. But he still paid for my passport so I could follow my dream."
Victor’s dad was behind on rent, surrounded by doubt—but he chose belief over fear.
Who’s someone who sacrificed for your dream?

#VictorMontalvo #FamilyFirst #SupportMatters #ChasingDreams

What Shapes Us Podcast @whatshapesus.bsky.social · Apr 21

"I had 2 seconds to breathe before the next wave dragged me under. Everything locked up—fingertips, calves, mind."
This was before inflatable vests. Just raw survival. Ian Walsh’s story is a reminder: in nature’s chaos, resilience is everything.

#IanWalsh #BigWaveSurfer #OceanPower #HumanResilience

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What Shapes Us Podcast @whatshapesus.bsky.social · Mar 18

There’s a place where running shifts—where it becomes meditative, transformative, limitless. It’s not just about pace or distance. It’s about tapping into you.

Have you ever felt that? Let’s talk. #CoryWhartonMalcolm #RunningHigh #Mindset #FlowState

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What Shapes Us Podcast @whatshapesus.bsky.social · Mar 14

Sometimes, all it takes is one person reminding you of your worth to change everything. I held onto that belief—and when I finally had the chance, I ran with it.

Who’s someone whose words changed your life? Let’s talk. #BrianaKing #SelfBelief #BreakingCycles #Resilience

What Shapes Us Podcast @whatshapesus.bsky.social · Mar 12

"Black culture shapes culture. When we start doing something, the world follows."Cycling isn’t just about racing it’s about opportunity, accessibility, and changing the narrative.

#JustinWilliams #Cycling #RepresentationMatters #ChangingTheGame

What Shapes Us Podcast @whatshapesus.bsky.social · Mar 12

Winning is still the goal, but it’s not the only goal. Impact. Growth. Helping the next generation. That’s what makes a legacy.

How do you define success on your own terms? Let’s talk. #KateCourtney #MindsetShift #AthleteGrowth

What Shapes Us Podcast @whatshapesus.bsky.social · Mar 10

The idea that helping others somehow diminishes you? That’s small-minded thinking. True creatives share their gifts because they know that inspiration is infinite.

Who’s someone that shared their “spice rack” with you? Let’s show them some love. 🔥 #JustinBrickHowze #Creativity #Collaboration

What Shapes Us Podcast @whatshapesus.bsky.social · Mar 8

"I don’t have to compromise who I am just to win."

Snowboarding isn’t just about competition—it’s about expression. It’s about finding a style that’s yours and riding with it, no matter what. 🏂

What’s something you do purely for the love of it? #ZebPowell #Snowboarding #CreativeFlow

What Shapes Us Podcast @whatshapesus.bsky.social · Mar 7

That moment stuck with me. The hesitation to let girls go for it. The quiet assumption that we needed to stay back. But questioning the rules? That’s where change begins.

What’s a moment when you realized you had to push past the limits set for you? #MonicaMedellin #WomenInSports #BreakingBarriers

What Shapes Us Podcast @whatshapesus.bsky.social · Mar 6

Creativity is about more than making—it’s about seeing the world differently. Every waterfall starts with a drop of water. What’s the first drop that led you to where you are now?

#ChaseHall #StreetArt #CreativeThinking #Subculture

What Shapes Us Podcast @whatshapesus.bsky.social · Mar 4

Selema & Buddy Coan talk about what separates the ones who truly commit from those who just coast: the willingness to try, to take the hits, and to keep going. Whether it’s skating, life, or any passion—if you’re not pushing yourself, are you really in it?
#GrowthMindset #SkateAndThrive #KeepPushing

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