Dubbo kids can learn to push forward with Preston

When did you realise your personal story/experience in life would determine your next move... to reach out to young people and encourage them? How did you transition from one to the other?

Great question!

I had a great upbringing and my parents supported me 100 per cent. However, I made some bad choices because I wanted to fit in and be cool. I was really hyper as a kid and my teachers didn’t know what to do with me. I was then placed in special ed classes.

A tragic event happened when I was in a car with someone who had been drinking and we got into a car accident. My head busted through the side window! That was a wakeup call for me. It left me thinking, 'I could have died.'

A few weeks later I told my Aunt Jean and she gave me a powerful talk about how my life had a purpose and how I was here for a reason, but I had to make better choices.

After our talk I made the decision to go to church because I wanted to change my life for the better. I believe all the mistakes I’ve made turned into powerful lessons that shifted my life in a profound direction.

Everything happened organically. When I started to discover more of who I was and focused on becoming a pro skateboarder, I was where I needed to be.

I remember kids looking up to me because they knew I was a misfit as well and I related to them on a down to earth level. I would do my best to share with them things I’ve learned through my journey without judging them, because we all have a past.

Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t easy. Some kids would call me names because I wasn’t being a follower anymore, but I knew they just didn’t understand me at the moment, but one day they would.

Why do people try to pigeon hole each other?

I learned I didn’t fit into the box when I was in preschool or kindergarten and the teacher told all of us to begin colouring.

I’m left-handed and I didn’t know it at the time that being left-handed was a “sin”. Out of nowhere my teacher hit my left hand, she wanted me to become a right-hander.

My mom ended up having a great conversation with her and I’m still left-handed today.

I think the reason some don’t listen or trust their instincts is because we are fearful of what others may think of us. Deep down we want to be accepted and we know if we continue to step outside of the box we won’t fit into society.

But when people talk to me about this issue, I encourage them to discover their natural abilities. I encourage them not to care what people think about them, because at the end of the day we all have an opinion about something.

As long as what they are doing is positive, I encourage them. All those people who talked about you will be asking you for advice one day. They will champion you for staying true to who you are.

People will try to place you in a box because of their own insecurities. Some could be jealous. That’s why one of my favourite quotes is, “Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.”

We all must be careful who we surround ourselves with. Preston Pollard has visited Australia before but this will be his first trip to Dubbo. Top: Skateboarding with a passion. Below: His billboard in downtown New York City. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED.

What is the feedback you get from youth you talk to, about what troubles or concerns them today? What are they afraid of? Or, not?

The biggest issues that continue to come up with youth are identity and purpose and how they can push forward through it all.

We all have to remember that once in time we were teens and, if we can be honest, that period of time was rough.

I can’t imagine how hard it is for teens growing up with social media. We display our “perfect life” online but many of us are broken.

I guess the only thing they could be afraid of is themselves. They are afraid of becoming that person of purpose because of what others may think.

What is it about your story that resonates with your audiences?

I believe my story resonates with people because we all go through a time when people try to place us in a box.

I’m a black Skateboarder from Alaska. People told me I should have become a basketball player. They tried to box me in, but I busted through that box. I encourage you to do the same. The last thing you want to do

is look back and wish you had tried that dream you always thought about.

I believe they resonate with my story because I wasn’t the popular guy, I was the misfit. I was just a person who discovered his purpose and ran with it with all I had.

Where does skateboarding fit in with your presentations?

Skateboarding is part of my story, it’s where my journey began. Sometimes I also showcase a skateboarding demo to inspire them and encourage physical exercise.

You have a chance to come to Dubbo – who would be the target audience you'd like to reach out too?

I would love to reach out to anyone who feels they are a misfit or who thinks they don’t have a purpose in life.

What can they expect from a session with you?

They can expect that my presentation will inspire them to push forward! I’ve also interviewed film director Anthony Russo from the hit movie “Avengers Infinity War”. He shared with me his journey on how he pushed forward, and I look forward to sharing this interview with the students.

I hope to teach them ways on how to push forward and overcome obstacles through storytelling and inspiring interviews.

Who motivates you in life now?

My family, Myles Munroe, Steve Harvey, Oprah, Anthony Russo, T.D. Jakes, Legson Kayira, Mark Nepo, Don Miguel Ruiz, Dale Carnegie, Napoleon Hill, Norman Vincent Peale, and Og Madino.