There are plenty of skills I've learned from playing video games. It's more interactive than watching TV, because there are problems to solve as you're using your brain.
Shaun White
I think guitar is the best thing in the world.
You take a crash, you get back up and next time you succeed and that's a great feeling.
Skateboarding is training, but I don't think of it as training. It's fun.
I can't stay away from Chinese food. I really love that stuff.
Surfers have the most attitude.
You know the best thing about competition? There's this whole strategy game, and when it all works out its like solving that hard math equation. You finally get the answer and you're so happy.
When I was 12 years old, I was hanging out with 23-year-olds. I was into cartoons and Pokemon, and they're all talking about girls. It was a strange way to grow up.
I know my family and I would always go up to the mountains just for fun. We always skied. Then, all of a sudden, my brother started snow boarding. Older brother thing, I had to do what he was doing. So I started snow boarding.
Every time I've had a bad performance at an event, I've come back more determined and focused.
I am pretty bow-legged. It's annoying.
I'm on the road a lot so when I get some time to relax I definitely take advantage.
If you do a trick and it doesn't work out, that can stick with you. I like to go back, nail the trick, and, 'OK, I'm cool, it's all good.'
If you're going off a 90-foot jump, you can't say: 'Oh, I don't want to do this now.' You're going no matter what.
Games have always a big part of my life. I was that kid freaking out over his new Nintendo.
There's always room for improvement, but the judges are looking for big airs and stylish tricks.
I'd like to date, but I'm not really in a position to meet girls.
If you eat the same cereal every day it's gonna get old. And if I had thought about snowboarding every day, I would have quit a long time ago.
I personally think skateboarding is harder because it has so many moving parts. With snowboarding, your feet are strapped to your board.
The boarding I do is pretty strenuous and because I'm so active I really don't have to work out too often.
Getting into music has changed my personality and way of doing things. I'm far more open now.
Cement doesn't give as much as snow.
You have to be prepared to take a spill.
I'm proud of the U.S.A. We've done some amazing things. To wear our flag in the Olympics is an honor.
It's hard to just kinda get some privacy and do your own thing.
I mean, I get letters in the mail because I had a heart defect when I was one, I had surgeries and stuff. And so you get these letters in the mail that just, they are crazy, they are just like, yes, well our son is dealing with the same thing and we saw you on TV and I mean it is such a cool thing to inspire and kind of give hope.
I like being able to have things that identify you in a brand without blatantly showing a logo.
It's tough now to meet a girl who wants to hang out with you because she likes your personality - who hasn't seen you on TV and is like, 'Hey!'
Skateboarding helps a ton with balance, precision, with air awareness... it gets your senses to be spot-on and it's also a great way to take my mind off things.
When I went pro at 13, I had plenty of sponsors that give me endorsement deals and stuff like that.
I didn't want to make a game unless I felt in the position to make something new and different.
If skating got into the Olympics, I would be tempted to hold off on shredding for a year and just skate, to make that my new goal. In that sport, I'm still the underdog.
If you go to a building to skate, or if you go to these places to skate, you're told it's against the law in some cities. It's definitely a bummer. It's unfortunate.
I don't know, I think, in times where I'm really nervous, and I'm really under the pressure the worst possible outcome is for me to start thinking about it. I just do.
Honestly, I feel really grateful for everything.
When you think about it, we're strapping strange planks of wood to our feet and launching off of giant snow walls. It's pretty intense.
My dad got me a huge board when I was little. He loves to surf. He suited me up and sent me out on this huge wave. I went under, and when I came out and the board hit me in the face. So I said, I never wanted to do this again. I stayed away until I was 13.
I totally forget about snowboarding in the summertime.
You can only jump so far until you break your leg. You can only land so hard until something explodes.
I don't know where my first gold medal is.
Generally, I'm a pretty mellow guy.
Boards and myself get along somehow.
I usually eat a pretty big steak the night before I compete.
You show up at the Olympics, and you're no longer you; you're an American Olympian. You're part of this greater whole, and the individual doesn't matter.
I'm not too big on moisturisers and fancy skin products. I keep my grooming regime nice and simple.
It was hard to find a board my size. I was tiny.
I wear black skinny-fit jeans - I can't get away from them. It's funny because I wore baggy jeans for ages, then one day my friend convinced me to try on a skinny pair and I thought they were great.
I've always been under the impression that it would be such a bummer to be in a peaceful place like Hawaii or the tropics and be stressed about catching waves.
I've reached my goal with snowboarding.
I like that you can easily flip the sheets over and have a different feel or vibe in your room. You don't have to go get a whole brand-new set of sheets.
