by BobParty | Aug 21, 2024 | Player Profiles
What got you into throwing, how long have you been in the hobby?
I’ve been throwing for approximately 12 years now! When I was in third grade, I won a Duncan Butterfly for my good deeds in class. I got involved in club at tiki tiki board games, and never looked back.
What trick are you working on currently and what is your all time favorite trick?
I’m currently working on tricks that score higher, but are unique to my style. I would say pop and fresh is probably my favorite! It was one of those tricks that I was like “wow, I can’t believe I was able to do that.” Hahaha. That sentimental value on that one is big so, yeah.
What’s your favorite yo-yo of all time ?
Favorite yoyo of all time…oh man. I have to say the adrenaline since it’s everything I want in a yoyo, in play and aesthetically. Before my signature however, the cognition still holds a special place in my heart.
What kind of things are you into outside of yo-yos?
Hmmm a lot of things! I would say video games, anime, cars, hiking, sports, fitness, psychology, and fashion are my main interest-nerdy things pretty much hahaha.
Favorite foods?
Man I absolutely love to just… eat honestly hahaha. But the first things that come to mind are ramen, sushi, and arroz con pollo.
Favorite movie?
Ghost in the Shell or Blade Runner are my two favorites.
What does yo-yo mean for you. Expression, technical, art, sports
Good question. I honestly think my answer varies depending on where I’m at in yoyo. One thing that does not vary is my belief that it’s a creative outlet. It can very well be an expression of who you are through the infinite amount of transitions and executions you can create. However, (especially after worlds) my belief is that yoyo can very well be considered a sport. The experience of immense pressure, stress, focus, and other emotions in order to achieve one’s dream or goal can qualify to be what someone experiences from a sport. So yeah, I think that kinda sums up what yoyo is to me!
Best yoyo memory?
Oh man, I really think the moment where I made finals at worlds this year was the most surreal moment I’ve ever experienced. The physical presence of everyone around me, the chants, the cheering… I’m forever thankful for everyone who participated in that.
If you couldn’t yo-yo what would you be doing?
If I couldn’t yoyo, I’d most likely still be trying to play a sport, either Lacrosse or Football. I’m very grateful to be yoyoing, but if I didn’t have the talent for it, I can imagine myself playing one of the two still, yeah.
Advice/ words of wisdom to new players
STAY PATIENT- most likely, it’s going to take time to learn tricks, but stay persistent and stay set on what your goal is! Get involved in your local scene, and learn, learn, learn. And make sure it stays fun! If you’re getting frustrated even with help from peers and videos, skip it for now and eventually it’ll click down the road. Plastic whip was one of those tricks for me.
What do you want to tell the world?
I love you all, and I’m honored that you’ve made it this far into the interview. Thanks for reading!!!
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.
by BobParty | Aug 20, 2024 | Player Profiles
What got you into throwing, how did you find the hobby?
I played around with yo-yos as a kid, and would always buy Duncan Midnight Specials because I thought they looked cool. And those are pretty hard to learn on, so I pretty much sucked. Then during the late 90’s boom, I was working as a camp counselor and every kid seemed to have a Yomega Fireball, so I got one of those. I learned a bunch of tricks to keep up with them, but kind of set it down when the boom died down. Then a few years later I fell back into it HARD after seeing Doc Pop, and I’ve played literally every day since May 2005.
If you could only have one yo-yo for the rest of your life what would it be?
No Jive 3-in-1 for sure. I think I have about 100 of that one model. I’ve got one tattooed on my arm. I’ve had a signature edition of it. I love wooden fixed-axle yo-yos and would be totally good just throwing a No Jive forever.
What trick are you working on currently and what is your all time favorite trick?
All-time favorite trick is probably just Shoot the Moon. Classic, carefree, and just aesthetically beautiful to me. A perfect trick. Plus, you can always finish with a Lunar Landing! In terms of what I’m working on, it’s less about tricks lately and more about how ideas go together – especially fixed axle stall tricks and all of the technical variations and flips between them. I’m also always interested in the line between what a trick is or isn’t. How you restart a yo-yo can be a trick. How you put the slipknot on. How you catch or throw the yo-yo. A session, a day, or even your whole life can feel like one trick.
What’s the most meaningful yoyo you have in your collection?
I wouldn’t say any of my yo-yos are really meaningful in and of themselves, but I have many, MANY yo-yos which were either given to me by friends or which I associate with them. The further I get from some of those experiences, the more amazing it is to pick those yo-yos up, throw them, and remember those people – especially the ones no longer with us.
What’s kind of things are you into outside of yo-yos?
I have a lot of other pastimes. I play a lot of music (mainly electric and upright bass and ukulele). I’m in a local band and play at jazz jams. I also love yoga and I’ve studied/practiced martial arts (mainly aikido and iaido) for decades. I skateboard and surf any chance I get. All that besides being a husband, dad, and middle school teacher of course.
What’s your favorite restaurants and order?
Pizza night is always my fave. I’m vegetarian and love peppers, onions, and mushrooms, but my fam usually just goes for cheese. There’s also a local place that does a killer General Tso’s Cauliflower which is divine.
Favorite movie or TV show?
Top 5 are prob Empire Strikes Back, L.A. Story, Seven Samurai, Search For Animal Chin (Do skate videos count? They do for me.), and Endgame.
If there was one song that you say fits your mood and personality perfectly, what it be?
Oof.. that’s tough. I’d like to go with Thelonious Monk’s Round Midnight because it’s so dark, interesting, and just hauntingly beautiful. But if I’m being honest, my vibe is probably more Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s Hawaii 78 (even though I’m the haoliest haole that ever haoled).
What’s your best yo-yo memory?
I have so many I could write a book. I’ve definitely written a bunch of long blog posts lol. One which always sticks out was after BAC one year going to Benders in San Francisco with a bunch of friends. Spencer Berry, Doc, Escolar, Steve Brown, Gabe Lozano, Gary Longoria, Steve Buffel, Boxthor, BoJack, Seth P, Nathan Crissey, Sebby… And we were just sitting outside on this cool May night doing dumb picture tricks, having snap-start Bey-Blade battles with yo-yo halves, joking about other even older times. And it wasn’t anything special, but you know those times where you’re experiencing something, and you can feel in real time how much it’s going to mean to you later? It’s just this frozen moment that I come back to a lot and feel really thankful.
What’s your yoyo bad habit?
It’s probably more of a “me” habit than just a “yo-yo” habit, but I would say it’s probably just exploring the same territory over and over again. It’s so easy to just keep doing what you’re good at and what you get positive reinforcement for. I can get pretty comfortable in my little domain, and can be hesitant to push outside of it.
As an artist, how do you feel throwing allows you to express yourself?
A yo-yo trick is just like a song, sonata, story, martial arts kata, skateboard trick… LIFE. They have a clear beginning and end with sections of complexity, tension, and resolution in the middle. I like watching a trick resolve in real time, and then poof – it’s gone. The trick only exists in that moment as you’re throwing and experiencing it and even if you go back and repeat it, it’s changed. The context is different. It’s a very immediate and ephemeral art which is what I love most about it. I relate to modes of expression which concern themselves with NOW.
If you never found yo-yo what would you be doing instead?
All of the pastimes I enjoy pretty much serve the same basic creative drive. So I think I would have found other things to explore in that vein, and I probably would have spent a lot more time playing music. But what I wouldn’t have found anywhere else is the community. I think what really makes yo-yoing so special is the group of people who tend to stick with it. It draws in really unique personalities who are – for the most part – so accepting of each other. Some of my most significant and lasting friendships have come through our common appreciation for this weird little toy.
How has the community changed from what it used to be, and where do you think it will end up?
The way we learn tricks is SO different. When I was first learning it was all trick books, which were often kinda indecipherable. Then later you could learn through diagrams online – Ken’s World On a String and Sector_Y. And eventually video tutorials took hold. Now with technology and social media, we have the capacity and motivation to jump over huge sections of what would previously have been called “fundamentals” in order to get to things we see as bangers or viral tricks. It’s not really better or worse – just something to get past. In the old days we had to move through the fundamentals to get to our own creative ideas. Now we have to move through whatever’s trendy and ubiquitous to do the same. The idea is to get to a place where you can explore your own ideas. I don’t make predictions about where yo-yoiing is headed because I never underestimate the creative power of some random kid with a yo-yo. I expect to have my mind blown. Repeatedly, and for as long as I pay attention.
Advice/ words of wisdom to new players?
Wisdom, I don’t know… To me yo-yo is a way of observing yourself. Just pay attention. Pay attention to how you address it and how you react to it. To how it feels to be a beginner in one way or a master in another. To where you find success and where you find frustration. And just kind of ride that wave, because you’ll observe yourself changing – in terms of skill for sure, but also in terms of how you feel about it. Yo-yoing is awesome and so easy to stick with. It goes anywhere. Doesn’t require anything of you. People find it engaging – especially kids (and also cats). Just be patient and don’t hang too much on it. Try to hold on to your “beginner’s mind” rather than racing to feel like an expert. Honestly though, you’re gonna do what you do and that’s great. I wrote a little booklet awhile ago called “66 Rules For Yo-Yo Players” and the most important one was to ignore my rules and write your own.
What you want to tell the world?
The Eiffel Tower is 15cm taller in summer than in winter. (I mean the real one not the yo-yo one.)
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.
by BobParty | Aug 19, 2024 | Player Profiles
All I’m proud to present up next our very own @Albertino! An amazingly talented player who was just recently sponsored by YoYoFriends!
Instagram
What got you into throwing, how did you find the hobby?
Many years ago (don’t remember exactly how many), I broke both bones in my right leg jumping from a roof with my rollerblades. I had 6 months ahead of me wearing a cast and nothing else to do. One of my dearest friend randomly showed me a video of Hiroyuki Suzuki at Worlds saying “omg this is so cool” and I actually thought it seemed very fun, he never started yoyoing but I did. Another friend of mine had some very old Fast201 and he borrowed me one. I started to try some tricks just following my instict like trapeze but the yoyo was very responsive (I didnt even knew the difference between responsive and unresponsive at time) so I went online for info and found the Italian yoyo forum community. Bought my first Velocity (that I still have) and from then I never stopped!
If you could only have one yo-yo for the rest of your life what would it be?
Very hard question, I have so many yoyos that I really love and every now and then the choice change depending how evolve my playing. For now I can say the Overclock by Yoyofriends is the most complete and versatile yoyo that I own.
What trick are you working on currently and what is your all time favorite trick?
At the moment I am working on several tricks as I love to create combos all the time and trying to evolve a bit my style also for competition, I can say lot of zoning is going on on my practicing time nowadays. More than my favourite trick I can tell you my favourite type of tricks which are slacks, man I do love to see that string flying everywhere and also seeing the slacks coming out of nowhere is such a satisfaction, with slacks you can really make some creative crazy stuff.
What’s the most meaningful yoyo you have in your collection?
Good question, also because I am one of the worst collectors ever, I think I have not even 30 yoyos at the moment but I think I have 2 that will never leave my case:
One is the Unprld – SU1, wanted one from aaaaaages and my girlfriend gifted it to me for Xmas, I was super excited when I get it, she is always a big supporter of my hobbies and I am very thankful for that.
The other one is my first yoyo the YYF – Velocity, man so many good memories with that yoyo, screaming from happiness when I closed my first “follow” or scream with rage when I had issues learning “white Buddha”, get excited when one of my friends randomly bind and in general I have so much sweat on that yoyo and basically every person I know throwed it at least once (usually dingint it lmao).
I used it for basically a year as my only yoyo and is completely full of dings and scuff but it still work and has a special place on my heart.
I wanted also to add the x-convict which I used for 2 years in a row without have anything else, back then that yoyo with the shimmers was a must
What’s kind of things are you into outside of yo-yos?
I do love to practice Wing Chun Kung fu and in general Kung fu always fascinated me. I am well into comics (mostly noir), movies and I have been a classical guitarist for ages, sadly I had to stop with guitar when I got a disease that has no cure (but still allow me to yoyo luckily). When I got sick I passed 2 years without use my right hand and when I healed and discovered my career in guitar was destroyed I decided to put my creativity into yoyo, open instagram, subscribe to the forum and be an active member of the community (I basically always been a player that play for and by “himself”).
Other than that, I always been into exteme sports with my brother, I did aggressive inline for most of my life but always been a fan also of skateboarding and any sort of those sports.
What’s your favorite restaurants and order?
Maaaaan, now I gonna be a total stereotype but I am Italian and for me a pizza Margherita is unbeatable.
If I have to choose I would say that: pizza, lasagna and pasta with tomato sauce are my favourite things ever but I also really do love a fried chicken. Non Italian I do love Chinese food and some English traditional stuff, I do have a soft spot for UK, I am 10 years in this country now and is a second home.
Favorite movie or TV show?
Not in a particular order I can say: Whiplash, Amici miei, Stand by me, The Virgin Suicides, Hero (with Jet Li), Control, Dogtooth are some of my favourite movies ever, just to say a couple but I think I can have a veeeery long list.
Tv series, I enjoyed Breaking bad a lot, Batman Adventure and couple of English show like Peep show which I rewatch every winter, is just brilliant and also People just do nothing.
If there was one song that you say fits your mood and personality perfectly, what it be?
Hard to say, humans have a very wide range of emotions and moods so is very hard to choose only one but I think Inverno Porteno by Piazzolla transcribed for classical guitar is one of the pieces that touched me the most and made me feel home in a weird way. Other than that I think pretty much all the Italian punk hardcore represent some sides of me quite well and many skramz band like Suis la lune or La Quiete.
Link To Song
What’s your best yo-yo memory?
When I discovered on the italian forum there was a guy in my same city that played yoyo, he was so much better than me as I just started and when we met he blew up my mind showing me all the tricks and he had quite a yoyo collection, thanks to him I advanced quite quickly as he taught me a lot and I had the chance to try lot of different yoyos. I remember that day I went back home mind blowed and excited as never been in my life.
I know you will not read this but Gianluca I miss you man, come back to play!
What’s your yoyo bad habit?
I have so many of those bad habits, man I already feel the shame on writing this.
I am absolutely awful on taking care of the yoyos, I use the same string until it explode even for months (I play around 3/4 hours a day sometimes more during weekends so you can imagine the state of that string), I keep using strings with knots and dont unknot them, bearing crunchy like a old wheel, pads worn until the very end and them pop out the seat, I ding my yoyos like a madman, couple of times I arrive at the point to throw a yoyo in the bin cause it became unplayable.
I really need to build some skills on maintenance.
If you could wake up tomorrow and have any skill set form another player what would it be?
Eheheh Daniel Kim or Junsang Park, those guys are damn geniuses, flow for days, amazing looking tricks and highly creative, I just love every single element they do.
I can’t steal their skills but I can get inspired by them which is great!
If you never found yo-yo what would you be doing instead?
Hard to say, probably just kung fu, my disease with guitar was inevitable so that will happen anyway so I think at this point I will be over obsessed with kung fu in general but luckily I have the yoyo in my life, it does really fill my days with greatness from so many years.
Advice/ words of wisdom to new players?
Simply have fun, practice a lot and don’t get too stuck in a toxic relationship with the yoyo as it will bring you only to burnouts and leave the hobby, if you want results them will come for sure with time but having fun along the way will make them become reality even more soon.
Find yourself and what you want to do with this toy and then evolve, exchange your expectations, grow up, make lot of dear friends along the way and enjoy it.
There is not a right way to enjoy this hobby there is only your own way, this community is one of the nicest ever so if you have the chance go to meetings and contest and speak with as many people as you can, is always refreshing to meet other players.
If one day you feel tired and don’ t feel like playing don’t force yourself, rest and pick the yoyo when you are ready it will be there waiting for you!
What you want to tell the world?
“A little kindness goes a long way”, I don’ t remember where I read or heard this but it got stuck in my head and is a sort of mantra that I like to bring around, for how much is possible I like to treat people as I would like to be treated. This is a big, busy and noisy world and if we have been a bit more patient and kind each other I am sure we were able to avoid so many bad stuff.
Another thing is to be open to everything, variety is what makes life interesting so get interested to people, food, cultures, hobbies, tools and everything that you see around cause it can make you very rich and able to empathise with everyone and many different situations
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.
by BobParty | Aug 16, 2024 | Player Profiles
Up next we have Justin Dauer the 2024 National Yo-yo Champion who also has his new signature throw the “Evolve” releasing soon from Duncan!
What got you into throwing, how did you find the hobby?
I got into throwing because I saw my friend who lived down my street doing it. He let me try his and gave me a cheap one he won at a theme park. It soon broke, but then I saw a fancier Yoyofactory One while checking out to get shoes. I asked my mom and she said yes. I became addicted because it was like a real-life video game, I soon got my friends into it and I built a community that kept me going until I found the larger Yoyo community.
If you could only have one yo-yo for the rest of your life what would it be?
If I could have one yoyo for the rest of my life it would be the Evolve, it’s my signature yoyo that I used to win Nats and it just came out.
What trick are you working on currently and what is your all time favorite trick?
I am working on a lot of new wrist stuff and flow. You will see it soon.
What’s the most meaningful yoyo you have?
The most meaningful yoyo I own is the Evolve I used to win nationals, it still has the same bind as the one I had on stage, it hasn’t spun since. It’s in a glass case that I plan to never open.
What’s kind of things are you into outside of yo-yos?
I’m into riding dirtbikes, editing videos, Minecraft speedrunning with my teammate Thomas Rajan, and finding new music.
Favorite foods?
My favorite foods are Banana cream pie, Spam Musubi, and Sushi and I LOVE to drink Horchata,
Favorite movie?
My favorite movie is probably Revenge of The Sith or Cars.
What’s your favorite memory from your time in the hobby ?
My favorite Yoyo memory was getting 3rd in prelims at 2020 PNWR, I went from 24th to 11th, to 3rd. I was not expecting those jumps and I was soooo hyped.
What’s your bad yo-yo habit?
My yoyo bad habit is never measuring my string and having the loop at the base of my finger. Still works though!
If you couldn’t yo-yo what would you be doing?
If I couldn’t yoyo i’d probably be racing dirtbikes or get into cars.
Advice/ words of wisdom to new players
My advice to new players would be, don’t compare yourself to others, yoyo is about fun, don’t take competing too seriously at first, and be kind to everyone because this is a small community and things travel fast.
What you want to tell the world?
I would like the world to know that Yoyo is alive because of the community. Any contributions like running contests, hosting meets, doing demos, judging etc… are soooooo much more beneficial than you know. The future of Yoyo is dependent on what we do right now as a community.
Thanks Justin!
As always if there any questions you would like to see asked, or people you would like interviewed please let me know!!
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.
by BobParty | Aug 15, 2024 | Player Profiles
Very excited to have up next the one, the only, Steve Brown!! Thanks Steve for taking the time to answer some questions, really appreciate all our conversations!!!
What got you into throwing, how did you find the hobby?
That story is interesting but I start to wonder how many more times people want to hear it ha ha. I think at this point the definitively easier version is this: I was homeless and needed a job, and lied my way into a gig assembling yoyos. If that sounds remotely interesting to anyone, you can hear me tell the much fuller version of that story here: YoYo Player Podcast Episode 1
What trick are you working on currently and what is your all time favorite trick?
I honestly barely yoyo anymore, and I miss it. I don’t actually see any yoyo players locally so it’s really only when I go to contests that I see anyone….and when I’m at contests I’m pretty busy either with contest business or Caribou Lodge business. I definitely feel that lack of other players to teach/inspire/push me and yoyoing has become less of a solitary pursuit as I’ve gotten older and more of a social one. I moved on from the “something to prove” phase of yoyoing a really long time ago and so it’s rare that I just get an idea for a trick that I feel like I have to stop and work through.
All-time favorite trick
Probably this one. It feels amazing to do and it’s a deeply satisfying trick to watch yourself hit.
If you could only have one yo-yo for the rest of your life what would it be?
Right now it would be the Beater. I’d eventually like to make a titanium Beater and when that finally happens, that’ll be my “desert island yoyo”, but for now it’s just the regular 7075 Beater. Man, I love that thing.
What’s the most meaningful throw you have?
I have a Hummingbird “Nature in Motion” wooden yoyo that was the prize from the first contest I ever won when I was like 10 years old. My parents sent me to a day camp that was just down the street from where we lived and some guy came through and taught us five basic tricks and ran a contest at the end of the week. It was super easy stuff….Sleeper, Walk The Dog, Inside Loop, Around the World, and Trapeze. I did all five tricks on the first try and when he said “Ok you get one bonus if you have another trick you want to do for extra points” and I landed a clean Double of Nothing. I won the contest and that Hummingbird yoyo was the prize. I played it a lot that summer and beat that yoyo up pretty good and eventually it went into a box and I didn’t see it or think about it again until I was 19 and found yoyoing again out of necessity. I still compulsively buy those Hummingbirds everytime I see them pop up for sale and I think I have like 5 or 6 of them now but that first one is pretty special to me.
What kind of things are you into outside of yo-yos?
I play bass (decently) and ukulele (also decently) and guitar (terribly). I also have a small tech startup called Nervous that provides strategy and moderation for Discord servers for large brands. I enjoy reading although I’ve gotten out of the habit lately because I’m a workaholic and have a lot going on with Caribou Lodge that I’m trying to implement and am working on really growing Nervous. I’ve also really gotten into biking in the last year and have a Salsa Beargrease C Deore 11 that I really enjoy riding.
Favorite foods?
Unagi, tonkotsu ramen, adobo pork, dinuguan, chicken tinola, Culver’s Butter Burgers, and my favorite breakfast: two eggs over medium, cooked in chili crisp and served on extra crispy hash browns with rye toast.
Favorite movie?
I think I can narrow it down to Aliens, The Breakfast Club, Stripes, Stand By Me, and Roadhouse.
What does yo-yo mean for you. Expression, technical, art etc
I don’t think of it in terms of that anymore, to be honest. I used to devote a lot of time to trying to quantify it in my mind and these days it’s just something that used to be the biggest thing in my life and I can honestly say that in a lot of ways it saved me…so now I’m trying to provide that same opportunity for others. I guess if I had to pin it down I would say it’s a unique canvas that people can imprint all their own thoughts and ideas upon to shape yoyoing into whatever they need it to be for themselves.
Best yoyo memory?
Watching people compete at Worlds in the very first 5A division. That was absolutely wild.
What’s it been like to watch the growth of the community?
A lot like watching my kids grow up. There are players who I met when they were 13, 14 years old who now have families of their own. I’ve doing this since 1995, so almost 30 years. I’ve been yoyoing long enough that less than 20% of the competitors at the 2024 World YoYo Contest were even born when I started yoyoing. (And the Over-40 division accounts for most of those, ha ha)
If you couldn’t yo-yo what would you be doing?
Like, if I lost the ability to yoyo or if I had never learned?
If I lost the ability to yoyo I don’t know that my life would measurably change. I’d still be working on the IYYF & Worlds & Caribou Lodge and Nervous.
If I had never learned? Might have stuck with performing? I studied theater for a while before I starting yoyoing and wanted to continue with that.
What are your yoyo bad habits?
I change strings like every 5-6 minutes. I hate dirty string. That’s probably kinda wasteful.
Advice/ words of wisdom to new players?
Don’t try to decide what yoyoing needs to be for you….just let it be whatever it is at that moment and accept that it’s great at filling the gaps. Let it be as much or as little as you need, and don’t be afraid to let it wax and wane in your life. Let it be part of you, not all of you.
What do you want to tell the world?
You should care more about other people’s well-being.
Thanks everyone, if there’s any questions you’d like asked, or people you’d like to see please reach out to me!
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.
