What got you into throwing, how did you find the hobby?
I grew up in Chico CA where the national yoyo museum is and got to experience The Chico YoYo Club every Saturday from the time I was 12 until I was 17!
What is your goal in 2025 for yourself? Yo-yo or not!
Yoyo Goal: Win X Division/ 5a at a state/regional level competition Non yoyo Goal: Learn how to be the best father possible!
If you could only have one yo-yo for the rest of your life what would it be?
GSquared YoYos Druid (My new Signature model)
What trick are you working on currently?
Aerial Propeller Variations!
What’s the trick that gives you the hardest time?
Any hook variation beyond 2.0 Hook…
What’s your favorite trick?
Ji Hoo Lee’s Butterfly Neck Trick!
What’s your favorite yo-yo of all time?
GSquared YoYos Druid (My new Signature model)
What’s the most meaningful throw you have?
My original Duncan FreeHand Zero! This was my very first yoyo
What’s your worst habit with yo-yos?
I tend to end all of my new 1a tricks /combos in a Green Triangle.
What kind of things are you into outside of yo-yos?
I play video games (mainly World of Warcraft) and auto chess!
Raising Canes – Caniac Combo, double toast, extra sauce with a lemonade
Favorite movie and or Book?
300: Rise of an Empire
What does yo-yo’ing mean to you?
Yo-yoing is a creative outlet for me and is a way I can still be competitive in something without hurting myself.
What’s your favorite memory from your time in the hobby?
Winning 1a, 5a and ladder at South Central Regional 2014!
What’s your best advice for people to get better at yo-yoing?
Practice everyday!
How has the community changed since you started? Where do you want it to go?
I actually recently re entered the community within the last year or so… I’ll have to make it out to more contests this year to see how the community and people in it have changed
If you never picked up a yo-yo – what would things look like now?
I’m sure yo-yoing has saved me from more negative influences in my life than I can count. I’m not sure where I would be without the hobby or passion, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Advice/ words of wisdom to new players?
Have fun with it! Find your style and what you enjoy doing whether that’s continued learning, teaching, creating, imitating, competing, etc. find what you love to do with it and do it whenever you can!
Whats you want to tell the world?
Do anything you can to be a reflection of what you want to see in the world!
Player Profiles is a series of articles/interviews dedicated to spotlighting the vibrant and diverse community of yo-yo enthusiasts. Each article delves into the unique stories of players from different backgrounds, showcasing their journeys, skills, and contributions to the yo-yo world. The series aims to highlight the passion and creativity that drive these individuals, offering readers an inside look at their personal experiences, favorite tricks, and the impact yo-yoing has had on their lives. Whether they’re seasoned competitors or inspiring newcomers, these profiles celebrate the people who make the yo-yo community so dynamic and inclusive.
Happy Monday everyone- excited to present Alexander Noot aka @LX_Emergency today!!!
What got you into throwing, how did you find the hobby?
So I’m kind of an older dude. And I actually picked up my first “trick” yoyo all the way back in ’98. The Mars Company under their Skittles and Twix brands partnered with the Russell Yoyo company and did a MASSIVE campaign in the Netherlands (where I live). I just looked it up and they sold 500,000 yoyos in 2 months time in my country alone. I was 17/18 years old at a time and bought one for…maybe $3.50.
Played it just learning basic tricks like sleepers, pocket rocker, Rock the Baby, simple Braintwister looping, hop the fence and a host of other stuff. Played it until on a hard thow the string broke (wooden axle and starburst burned through it)…it shattered on the floor, bought a new one. Must’ve gone 5-6 yoyos like that in a period of a couple of months.
Played those until I got my hands on a steel fixed axle one, which massively improved spintime and made tricks so much easier. Bought a bearing Yomega later.. (it recently died sadly…) and that was even better.
I played those doing the tricks I could think of for a couple of years…never got my hands on good tutorials so I was kind of stuck. Picked it up every now and then but never really progressed. Didn’t really play much for something like 19 years.
Then one day my middle child found my Yomega in a drawer somewhere and went “what’s this dad? Can you do anything with it?”. Did my usual tricks and then thought “I might deserve a new yoyo after all these years. Wonder what’s out there?” Bought a MagicYoyo T9 and V3 and totally fell down the rabbit hole again.
What is your goal in 2025 for yourself? Yo-yo or not!
Couple of thing, Yoyo related I want to participate in the WYYC in Prague again if I can. I entered the 40+ open division last year and it was a great experience. I am also helping some local people organise the first ever BeNeLux (Belgium Netherland Luxemburg) championships. I will obviously compete in those.
Non Yoyo wise I have a Judo Teacher exam to pass so that I can be not just a Judo Teacher but a certified one. Besides that I really want to do some knife making again. Kind of let that slide for the past 3 years…but I’d like to start making some cool sharp objects again.
If you could only have one yo-yo for the rest of your life what would it be?
I’ve actually thought about this before. And my answer would be the Lathed Back Design Bangarang with selection of Rims. It’s not the best competitive yoyo or the most stable or anything, but the modular way it’s set up means it can function in virtually any style (apart from 2 and 3a obviously). I’ve played it in 0a, 1a, 4a and 5a setups…and it’s versatile and durable.
I get that this feels like I’m talking up my sponsor (Shoutout Joël from LBD) but I decided that WAY before he decided to honor me by incorporating me in the team. Also, I bought that one with my own money to celebrate the moment I got my Judo Black Belt. It’s got practical and sentimental value that way.
What trick are you working on currently?
Not really 1 specific trick per sé. I did just learn a cool Hook 1.5 to 1.5 mount transition that I’m trying to get smooth and consistent right now. But I’m also spending a lot of time learning 5a because it’s fun. And I want to learn more 4a.
What’s the trick that gives you the hardest time?
Beefhook has been one of those things that if I try too hard will drive me crazy…I can land it…I just have a problem with consistency.
What’s your favorite trick?
Probably Figure 8. I really love the feeling of the weave and the way I can do pops with it to transition in to other mounts and tricks. It just feels so much fun to do.
What’s your favorite yo-yo of all time?
Probably my Yomega Saber Raider still. I can’t play it anymore because it’s broken now. But the transition from fixed axle to bearing was such a freaking revelation. Modern yoyo wise probably my MagicYoyo Z01 focus. It was my first bimetal and it just so comfortable and capable whilst being super affordable.
What’s the most meaningful throw you have?
The one I mentioned before probably, my LBD Bangarang. I ordered it in anticipation of my Black Belt (1st Dan grade) judo exam. And it arrived at the house while I was away. So I got to unpack it as a celebration of passing.
It would be either that or the Golden (also broken) Skittles Twix russell yoyo with the steel fixed axle. in ’99 I was walking through the city centre of my hometown. And at the candy shop there were some “yoyo pro”players. They did tricks I was blown away by. They then did a little trick ladder which I won. The prizes were a Skittles Twix Yoyo t shirt and a golden Russell yoyo wich upgraded stainless axle. The shirt is long gone, but the yoyo I still have (even though the axle isn’t solid anymore and one of the caps keeps popping off.
What’s your worst habit with yo-yos?
I ding my yoyos on the ground WAY more than I should.
What’s kind of things are you into outside of yo-yos?
Obviously Judo, I teach 2 classes a week to kids and I train/take lessons once or twice a week as well. I do some stuff with knife making. I do some community Theater some times. I play guitar and piano. I love reading.
What song best fits your personality?
Asking the hard questions. Honestly hard to say. I listen to a lot of different genres and styles and my personality can be all over the place. If I had to choose one….maybe [The Distance by Cake](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_HoMkkRHv8 ) It goes HARD in a mellow way. It’s relaxed while still feeling intense.
Favorite restaurant and order?
Sit down meal, probably a local restaurant called Bistro Louis. It’s pretty fancy and my order is then the 7 course tasting menu. Took my wife there a few months back and it’s super on my list to go back again. It’s very gourmet, Michelin adjacent level food and I know that whatever they’ll serve me there will surprise me and blow me away.
For a quick cheap meal, one of the local Turkish Shawarma/Pizza places where I’ll get a Calzone pizza. Folder up dough with loads of veggies, cheese and meat.
Favorite movie and or Book?
Movie is easy, The Truman Show. I’ve loved that movie ever since I first saw it all the way back in the 90’s. Book is more difficult since I read a fair amount. But if I had to choose an absolute favorite I’d pick the children’s book by Astrid Lindgren called “The Brothers Lionheart”. That book emotionally killed me when I was a kid and still made me feel ALL the feelings when I read it to my kids decades later.
What does yo-yo’ing mean to you?
Fun, learning, progress, emptying my mind and just focussing on that ONE thing in my hands. It’s one of the few things that completely makes me clear my mind and quiet down my brain.
What’s your favorite memory from your time in the hobby?
Has to be last summer’s trip to the WYYC in Cleveland. Not a single moment but the whole trip. Hanging out with my buddy Phil Q, meeting so many cool people, participating. Everything about it was just plain awesome. Memory of a lifetime.
What’s your best advice for people to get better at yo-yoing?
Couple of things:
don’t only pick things you think you can do. Try more difficult stuff every now and then that you like but think might not be able to do. You’ll surprise yourself. You can learn much more than you think you can.
Isolate elements, don’t try to learn the whole trick. Learn the first step until you’re comfortable with it and can do it without much thinking, then move on to the next step. It’s all about building muscle memory.
Film yourself every now and then, it’ll help you pick up where you go wrong or are having trouble
never hesitate to ask others for help. People with more experience than you will see things you don’t and will be able to give you pointers and…in my experience…they WANT to help.
How has the community changed since you started? Where do you want it to go?
I kind of had 2 different starting moments so I’ll look at both of those.
From back in the 90’s to now. There’s actual worldwide community. Back in the early days I felt like I was on my own. Resources on learning were scarce. Now there’s the forums, discord servers, Reddit, Instagram, Tiktok, FB groups, so many ways for people to be in touch with and get support from other throwers and it’s amazing.
From back in 2021 when I rebooted to now the change is mostly on the local level. For the first 2 years or so of playing I never met another thrower. But I really wanted to. And under the banner of “be the change you want to see” I organised a meetup. Not many people showed, it was outside, it was cold. But we had a great time. We started doing similar meetups every couple of months. And now we’re at the point where I’m not involved in organising anymore. Other people organise meetups locally to them and I just kind of show up. But people are meeting each other in real life and it’s so much fun.
What are you most proud of from your time in the hobby?
At the second meet up I organised someone came up to me and went “Oh man this is so much fun. I’d been playing for 3 years and never met another player in real life!” and that is probably my proudest moment. I’ve had some moderate lower level competition success but honestly nothing like that will probably ever stick out as much in my brain as when he told me that and I felt like putting in effort in to local organising actually meant something to someone else as well.
What’s your most controversial yo-yo take?
I’m not really a controversial dude. The only thing that comes close to it is how I don’t like the higher hook tricks in competition. I always feel like they kind of break the flow that most player have going when they’re in the zone. but at the same time I can recognise skill when I see it and competition is a showcase of skill…so I don’t know if I’d actually change anything to do with scoring or rewarding them either.
Also, different strokes for different folks, I can dislike it whilst at the same time accepting and understanding that someone else does like them.
Variety is the spice of life after all.
If you never picked up a yo-yo – what would things look like now?
Probably pretty similar except without a yoyo. I’d still be in to judo, knifemaking, reading etc. But I probably would’ve found some other skill thing to obsess about.
Advice/ words of wisdom to new players?
Play how you like, don’t let anyone else tell you what’s cool. You do you.
What do you want to tell the world?
Please be kind. There is not enough kindness, understanding and empathy in this world.
Also, play more 5a….it’s cool.
Also also, if anyone has a spare Yomega Raider or Russell Skittles/Twix yoyo they can spare me, hit me up.
Player Profiles is a series of articles/interviews dedicated to spotlighting the vibrant and diverse community of yo-yo enthusiasts. Each article delves into the unique stories of players from different backgrounds, showcasing their journeys, skills, and contributions to the yo-yo world. The series aims to highlight the passion and creativity that drive these individuals, offering readers an inside look at their personal experiences, favorite tricks, and the impact yo-yoing has had on their lives. Whether they’re seasoned competitors or inspiring newcomers, these profiles celebrate the people who make the yo-yo community so dynamic and inclusive.
Today we have @Slestak75 aka Steve!!!! A regular on the forum, and one of the nicest people to boot – it was great to learn more about you buddy!!
Enjoy!!
What got you into throwing, how did you find the hobby?
I saw a Duncan Wheels when I was 8ish and thought it was so cool. I had no idea what a yo-yo was at all, I just thought it looked cool (I really liked Hot Wheels).
So that got all knotted up and disappeared but around age 10 my dad got me and my brother each a Glow Imperial and I threw that around here and there until I graduated High School. After having kids I tried again for a short while (late 90s early 2000s)with a Fireball and a Stinger. I lost track of them until a tad more than 2 years ago. I found my Stinger and that sent me down the rabbit hole. I found this forum and here I am.
What is your goal in 2025 for yourself? Yo-yo or not!
Well… I’m in a place in life I never imagined being. A cardiac arrest in 2016 caused some damage to my brain and that has just slowly worsened over the years. It’s put me in a place where I can not work. So my goal is to do my best to be at least a little helpful and try to find some enjoyment every day. And of course yo-yo every day.
If you could only have one yo-yo for the rest of your life what would it be?
It would have to be my half SPEC modded Deep State. That thing makes me smile every time I throw it.
What trick are you working on currently?
I’ve been trying to get consistent with Super Charger and Spirit Bomb
What’s the trick that gives you the hardest time?
I don’t know a lot of tricks but for now it’s that darned Beef Hook. Anybody that would associate themselves with that trick is… oh… sorry Beef Hook Queen.
What’s your favorite trick?
Like I said, I don’t know many but at present I’m pretty fond of Matrix.
What’s your favorite yo-yo of all time?
I have thrown fewer than 50 yo-yos im sure of it, so I don’t have a lot to go on but I pick up that modded Deep State several times a day every day so… also Yoshicuda X for unresponsive.
What’s the most meaningful throw you have?
That would be this beautiful Metal Harbinger that was gifted to me by BobParty.
What’s your worst habit with yo-yos?
All of my habits are only good all of the time. Remember that.
What kind of things are you into outside of yo-yos?
Yo-yos actually brought me back from a place where I was enjoying very little. I always loved outdoorsy things… hiking, fishing, shooting, hunting. These days I enjoy spending time with my beautiful wife and best friend of nearly 30 years.
I’ve never met a restaurant that I liked better than my kitchen at home. My favorite dish is my scratch made chicken and dumplings. I even make the dumplings from scratch.
Favorite movie and or Book?
Movie: Better Off Dead
Book: The Bible
What does yo-yo’ing mean to you?
It means quite a bit. The yo-yo itself has been a healing for me and has also lead me to this fine community filled with amazing people.
What’s your favorite memory from your time in the hobby?
I’ve not been in it for too long but by far everything and everyone to do with the Boomers Club has been the most memorable.
What’s your best advice for people to get better at yo-yoing?
I mean… practice is the only way to get better at anything. Just be aware that you may not advance as fast as others, or maybe you advance faster. Don’t make it about that, keep it fun, and loose, and enjoy it.
How has the community changed since you started?
Well as stated… I haven’t been here too long. Just got my second cake a little while ago. But as mentioned in a previous profile, I’ve seen the community break through some of our differences and embrace and encourage one another more and more.
Where do you want it to go?
I’d love to see this trend continue.
What are you most proud of from your time in the hobby?
I feel like I have tried my best to be a positive influence on others. I’ve tried hard to encourage patience and better understanding of others. I’m really proud of our little Boomers Club, our oldest member is 78 and we have many teens in the club as well, along with every part of the spectrum in between, and we all just get along. I feel like we would all be super stoked to meet in person… and I’d call that friendship.
What’s your most controversial yo-yo take?
I honestly don’t know how to answer this.
If you never picked up a yo-yo – what would things look like now?
Very, very honestly… bleak
Advice/ words of wisdom to new players?
Always be yourself. Most of us are outliers on some level so that often makes people want to change or compromise in order to fit in. Don’t do that, if people don’t like who you are then find other people. Those who like you because you are different are the best kinds of friends to have, but we are rare.
Whats you want to tell the world?
Ease up would ya???
Player Profiles is a series of articles/interviews dedicated to spotlighting the vibrant and diverse community of yo-yo enthusiasts. Each article delves into the unique stories of players from different backgrounds, showcasing their journeys, skills, and contributions to the yo-yo world. The series aims to highlight the passion and creativity that drive these individuals, offering readers an inside look at their personal experiences, favorite tricks, and the impact yo-yoing has had on their lives. Whether they’re seasoned competitors or inspiring newcomers, these profiles celebrate the people who make the yo-yo community so dynamic and inclusive.
What got you into throwing, how did you find the hobby?
Some of my friends and classmates showed me the very basics – and introduced me to yoyo club at the local toy store A2z which further hooked me into yoyo!
What is your goal in 2025 for yourself? Yo-yo or not!
Competitive yoyo – perform a few freestyles with new tricks, songs I like and generally trick content I’m proud of and enjoy doing. I also would really like to make WYYC finals again. Non Competitive yoyo – I really want to film a trick centered video that I’m happy with. I also want to keep making new and perhaps name some tricks I’ve made.
Not Yoyo – getting more stability in my life and improving my wellbeing on the day to day. I would also like to travel to some cool places and spend lots of time with friends!
If you could only have one yo-yo for the rest of your life what would it be?
My old answer would have been YYR inevitable, but now I think I’d go either JT Kagerou (old version) or YYR Liminal Autoscopy. Both of those yos are very capable and versatile without being boring.
What trick are you working on currently?
Working on rounding out my competitive trickset at the moment.
What’s the trick that gives you the hardest time?
Mir Kim’s upside down triangle fast hands lasso thing into regular triangle. I have spent so much time trying that trick and I am still so bad at it. Another answer would be neck-stoles or super high hooks (4.0+) but I have put minimal time into practicing those.
What’s your favorite trick?
At the moment Colin Beckford’s Yuuki slack variation from 2024. Incredibly fun and satisfying type of trick that is really natural to bounce off of and create variations from.
What’s your favorite yo-yo of all time? Anima :’)
What is your favorite contest to attend?
Czech Nationals – it’s always such a good vibe with the most engaged crowd and generally super high energy. Slusny is top tier at organizing contests and usually has extra things that add to the experience like walkouts or live scoring etc. It also has great afterparties & pre/post contest hanging with lots of great people!
Which yoyoer/s who have inspired your yoyoing the most?
Early on A2z yoyoers such as Tylor McCallumore, Eric Koloski, and Doug Kapinos. Also a big influence were yoyoers I saw compete IRL such as Andrew Maider, Tsev, Kurti, and Bergy. When I started competing more seriously around 2016/17 I was most inspired by the Scales crew and watching contemporary contests globally (a lot of jp and us regionals & worlds).
These days I think my inspirations are spread out to a much larger pool of yoyoing from old videos/freestyles, sooo many people on insta, and most consistently from my favorite players Keiran, Colin, Tony, Dkim, Hajime, and Ryuichi (to name a few).
What trick do you think every yoyoer should learn?
Shockwave
What are a few of your favorite yoyo videos of all time?
Revenger – Nate Sutter Save Deth – Danny Severance Kaibun – Sid Seed Team Chubby Lovin – The men you’ll grow to love
What’s the most meaningful throw you have?
Special edition Yoyojam Kickside with my name on it that I got from joining the A2z yoyo team in my first year of yoyoing.
What’s your worst habit with yo-yos?
Constantly making new tricks but never practicing finished combos (or freestyles). Finding a new element and making it a repeater instead of making a full combo slash not developing longer combos.
What’s kind of things are you into outside of yo-yos?
I enjoy chess, skiing, watching movies, listening to music/live music, reading, looking at old books and art, going to thrift/salvage/antique shops, drawing, playing games with friends, eating food, traveling/exploring new places
A favorite movie and/or book? Movies; Being John Malkovich, The Royal Tennenbaums, Chungking Express, Wallace and Gromit A Grand Day Out
Books; A tale for the time being, Kavka on the shore, Danny the champion of the world
What does yo-yo’ing mean to you?
Yoyo means a ton to me because it has been there for such a big part of my life. I’ve made so many friends through yoyo and those friendships have shaped me as a person and shaped how I see the world. I’ve also been exposed to different places, music, experiences, culture, food, etc through yoyo and all of those experiences are very meaningful to me too
What’s your best advice for people to get better?
Do whatever is fun and makes you want to spend time yoyoing and you will improve!
If you never picked up a yo-yo – what would things look like now?
I cannot really imagine this, I think I’d have a totally different life in so many ways. Also what would I do when bored ?
Player Profiles is a series of articles/interviews dedicated to spotlighting the vibrant and diverse community of yo-yo enthusiasts. Each article delves into the unique stories of players from different backgrounds, showcasing their journeys, skills, and contributions to the yo-yo world. The series aims to highlight the passion and creativity that drive these individuals, offering readers an inside look at their personal experiences, favorite tricks, and the impact yo-yoing has had on their lives. Whether they’re seasoned competitors or inspiring newcomers, these profiles celebrate the people who make the yo-yo community so dynamic and inclusive.
What got you into throwing, how did you find the hobby?
When I was in middle school, a couple of my neighbors brought yoyos to a church youth camp, and I thought it was super cool! So, after we got home, my friend told me he got a yoyo from Walmart, and I went and got one too. We’d spend hours after school learning new tricks and just having a blast. After a little while, I stumbled on YYE when my neighbors got YYF Protostars, and I saw the video of Jensen Kimmit winning the world yoyo contest with a Northstar. It was the most amazing thing I’d ever seen, and I was hooked! Picked up a Northstar, found a local yoyo club, and here we are 16 years later!
What is your goal in 2025 for yourself? Yo-yo or not!
I have a lot of goals, but I think the most important one right now is to learn to give myself grace and be there for myself even if I don’t meet my own expectations or falter.
If you could only have one yo-yo for the rest of your life what would it be?
Dude that’s so hard! I really enjoy all the styles so it would be so hard to narrow it to one. If it were for unresponsive it would have to be either the Duncan Grasshopper GTX 2 or the Etcetera Capriccio. For 4a, the W1LD Boundless. 2a would be the YYJ Unleashed. I know that’s not one, but I guess if it had to be only 1 then it would probably be the Grasshopper because I love the flowy vibe of throwing it. It matches my pacing and preferences really well and it’s super solid.
What trick are you working on currently?
I’m working on a bunch, but mostly on 4a slack tricks and soloham.
What’s the trick that gives you the hardest time?
For 1a that would be any hook over 1.5. For 2a that would be left hand loops. 3a would be literally any trick lol. 4a would be antispin or feed the sun. 5a would be just overall control.
What’s your favorite trick?
Seasick or follow combos
What’s your favorite yo-yo of all time?
SPYY Dynamo. No contest
What’s the most meaningful throw you have?
There’s so many that mean a lot to me, but I’d have to say the SPYY Dynamo because it reminds me of fond memories going to Colorado with my family on my Dad’s work trips. It was my favorite yoyo throughout high school, and was the yoyo I used in my first yoyo contest back in 2013. Plus it has a sick design in the cup of a fox and a hare.
What’s your worst habit with yo-yos?
Not changing out the strings. I’ll let those strings go for weeks when I really should have changed them a long time ago. I really only change them when I absolutely have to like for contests or if they’re borderline unusable.
What’s kind of things are you into outside of yo-yos?
I do way too many things but I love music and I sing in a few professional level chamber choirs. I’ve been singing for way longer than I’ve been throwing and it’s a huge part of my life. Also love playing piano and viola. I enjoy running and yoga but I don’t consistently do either. I dabble in a bunch of skill toys like diabolo, spinning poi, Kendama, and juggling and I enjoy playing video games with friends. I love the Korean language and food, and enjoy cooking and baking.
What song best fits your personality?
I don’t know if it necessarily fits my personality best, but some of my all-time favorite songs are Miserere Mei, Deus and O vos omnes sung by Tenebrae.
They are a legendary group and I could listen to them for the rest of my life.
Favorite restaurant and order?
I love Korean food so I’d say a restaurant in my area called 무봉리 or Seoul Garden and I love the 제육볶음 and 김치전!
Favorite movie and or Book?
I haven’t really read books for fun in a long time and I’m not a huge movie person either, but I do really enjoy How to Train Your Dragon, Soul, and the Super Mario Bros Movie.
What does yo-yo’ing mean to you?
It means a lot man. It’s a form of creativity, flow, dance, performance. It helps me connect with other people. It helps me process my emotions better. It’s a huge part of my life and I would be in a pretty dark place without it.
What’s your favorite memory from your time in the hobby ?
Probably going to worlds for the first time last year and seeing how supportive everyone was of each other and feeling the energy and excitement we all have for the hobby. Meeting and hanging out with so many cool people, it was awesome man!
What’s your best advice for people to get better at yo-yoing?
I’d say rather than focusing on getting better at yoyoing, focus on enjoying the hobby. Sure there are ways to get better at it, but you will likely feel a lot more motivated to improve and learn if you approach the hobby from the mindset of it being fun and learning things you actually want to learn. If you focus on what other people expect you to learn or what you perceive you “should” do, it can become more of a chore than a joy. I’m all for effective practice, getting feedback, etc., just do so in a way that allows you to enjoy the hobby rather than using it as an outlet to beat up on yourself for not meeting unrealistic expectations.
How has the community changed since you started? Where do you want it to go?
A lot of it feels very similar to when I started a long time ago, but it feels like there’s a much stronger focus now on social media and tricks only being relevant if they are high scoring.
While there are pros to this for sure, I hope that we can go in a direction that balances originality and personality in yoyoing with difficulty/scoring.
What are you most proud of from your time in the hobby?
Probably learning soloham and competing in the world yoyo contest.
If you never picked up a yo-yo – what would things look like now?
I would probably be even more involved in music than I am now. That said, having taken a break from yoyoing for several years I can say with confidence that my mental health is far worse when I’m not yoyoing, so I likely would be in a much darker place than I already am without it.
I’m sure I would have found something else to fill that hole, but I honestly don’t know where I’d be.
Advice/ words of wisdom to new players?
Kinda like what I mentioned in the section on getting better, focus on what you enjoy about the hobby! Explore new styles, new mounts, whacky ideas, and just have fun. Competition is exciting and worth doing, but it isn’t the end all be all. Don’t let this hobby become a prison by putting unrealistic expectations on yourself. You don’t need to seek others’ approval for your yoyo tricks, and your tricks are your own and matter whether they score or not, and whether people like it on social media or not.
What do you want to tell the world?
There are many things outside our control in this life and that is okay. Be there for yourself whether you measure up to your own expectations or those of others or not. At the end of the line, you are your main support system and will spend every minute of your life with yourself, so there’s no reason to be your own worst enemy. You may have aspects you don’t like about yourself, but that does not make you unlovable or worthless. You have infinite worth whether you see it or not. Be kind. Share your light. Your life is worth living no matter how messy it has been or will be
Player Profiles is a series of articles/interviews dedicated to spotlighting the vibrant and diverse community of yo-yo enthusiasts. Each article delves into the unique stories of players from different backgrounds, showcasing their journeys, skills, and contributions to the yo-yo world. The series aims to highlight the passion and creativity that drive these individuals, offering readers an inside look at their personal experiences, favorite tricks, and the impact yo-yoing has had on their lives. Whether they’re seasoned competitors or inspiring newcomers, these profiles celebrate the people who make the yo-yo community so dynamic and inclusive.
