Joe Flemke Interview

What role "if any" does your faith play into your skating? Whether it be skating certain spots, or the motivational gain through God?
When I skate, I feel that I am lucky to do so. Therefore, I appreciate the time God gives me. I have a strong faith, but I am not too sure how much it affects my skating. I just like to roll when I'm out there. Faith and skating do not seem to correlate so much.

How has college affected your skate schedule?
Ah, if only I could accurately express this one. College is a big deal, even if you don't think so. Just like every moment in life, you have choices to make. College is an important one. I am going to an engineering school about 45 minutes away from home on a good drive. If you think about it, 1/12th of my days are driving to and from school. While there, I usually stay for 8-13 hours. With class, work (at college), homework, and maintaining food, the house (I've been living alone since I was 16 years old). Skating is just not possible during the week. At least without the whole 2 steps forward, three steps back kind of deal. The weekend is when I actually get caught up, and then there is maybe an hour or 2 of skating if I am lucky yeah, that's about it. If I go on I will feel a bit on the down side.
College makes me feel as if I am not even a skater. I get out there on the weekend if I am lucky and if weather permits, along with countless other factors, and I am like, "Oh yeah, I forgot I can do that!" Hopefully my school work will pay off. It's not like I am unhappy with my life. I just wish I could skate more. Though it is true, a mind is a terrible thing to waste.

Does being a youtube (super star) ever affect the type of videos you upload?
I am not a super star and yes. One way or another it affects anyone. It's inevitable with the mind...

Why don’t you enter contests or do demos?
I have done a good amount of demos. I have gone to New York and met Keith Renna during a demo in the summer of 2008. Demos are okay, sessions are better. There is nothing like skating with friends with no rules...just pure fun.
"Con"tests, however, are another story. I feel it is not my place. It's not that I cannot skate them. I simply do not feel comfortable with the idea of limiting or structuring art in such a way. No one is any better than the other guy or girl. We are all equal.

How did you get all those big sponsors??
Luck! I buy stuff like anyone else, so not too much has changed. I've just made some friends with some great products who liked my videos and were awesome enough to help me- that's it. No secrets Skating is not about sponsors. I really dislike that word, sponsor....

Why do you use street style decks for freestyle?
It doesn't matter. It is whatever makes one happy, I guess. I just want to go out there and not think about anything - just skating. I will not spend 3 hours setting up a deck, especially since I can't even skate that much during the week (when school is in). I hope I never go back...as long as there are parallel rails and a solid feel; I should be good to go.

How many freestyle related injuries have you had and what was the worst?
None. Just some pain from when I was doing way too many truckstands, back to back. There was this one trick that no one has seen before. I was super stoked and blocked out the pain. It was a crazy no handed truck combo, has no name... When I landed back in truck it hurt too much and I lost it. I realized that my foot was in really bad shape and that if I continued, it wasn't for myself, but because I wanted to impress everyone. I let it go. I am still glad I did. It was meaningless and I know I could do it. The pain didn't influence me to walk away; it was me who influenced me to avoid the meaningless, potential injury. To think I was hurting myself to impress. Life is not about that...

Have you worked out or taken any extra activities to help improve how you skate?
I have never, not to enhance my skating. Though, I have - to get into top shape. I had a fitness phase in early 2007. I went through 4 exercise bikes in a 4 month period, while doing intense cardio - I didn't make the Wal-Mart manager too happy. I also entered high school contests. I won a sit-up, push-up, and pull-up contest. High school has too much nonsense involved (all the drama)...I wanted to do something, make efficient use of my time, more than making straight A's. It was later when I realized that physical perfection is a thoughtless waste.

When other skaters (Non freestylers) watch or see you skate, they ever call you Rodney Mullen?
If so how do you feel about it?
They do mention him or ask about the tricks I do. To call me Rodney would be an insult to him. The guy is more amazing than most people can imagine, at least from what I have observed. He's the best in my opinion.

Who has been your main motivation to freestyle, and how did you find freestyle skateboarding?
Rodney Mullen. I believe I found freestyle through the Tony Hawk games and then through Lynn Cooper. I have been doing it on and off ever since. On - when I have the time, off - when it takes away from making it in this world.

Going to any jams or demos this year?
When time, school, and money allows, I would be happy to see you there.

Who are your favorite skateboarders (any style)?
I like watching manny tricks. If I didn't root myself in freestyle that is all I'd probably be doing. I love watching Marc Johnson, Daewon Song, Austen Seaholm, PJ Ladd, P-Rod, Eric Koston, etc...anyone who has a second nature with their skating. That’s what kool about it - to me. I like the way they can do tricks without effort and yet everything looks perfectly executed.

What trick have you had the most difficulty with?
I have no idea. I don't bum myself out when learning new stuff. I do what makes me happy - skating is about fun - not making tricks difficult on oneself. Though, many feed off of the great difficulty. I, on the otherhand, enjoy the freedom.

Do you skate any street outside of freestyle?
I don't think I do skate enough street for the street guys to accept me, but I have fun messing around in the street vicinity.

Any shout outs or ending words?
Live life for its TRUE purpose. Don't focus on unimportant things. Have a relationship with God, you can't afford not to…