Skateboarding, with its rebellious spirit, has historically had a complicated relationship with health and wellness. It wasn’t uncommon to see sponsored skaters indulging in fast food, cheap beer, and late-night partying, rather than focusing on proper nutrition and strength training. Those who did prioritize self-care were often dismissed as “jocks” or “kooks,” unless they were older or recovering from injuries. However, times have changed. Today, a quick scroll through Instagram reveals a different picture, with many top skaters like Grant Taylor, Nicole Hause, and Mason Silva incorporating gym workouts and recovery routines into their lives.
This significant shift in skateboarding’s attitude towards wellness can largely be attributed to the work of athletic trainer Jessika Alexander. Growing up immersed in Atlanta’s skateboarding and hardcore scenes, Jessika spent five years as a trainer for Nike, working with athletes in the NFL, NBA, and MLB. In 2018, she transitioned her expertise to skateboarding. Through her work with Nike SB and the US Olympic team, Jessika has championed the importance of fitness and care for building a sustainable, healthy skateboarding community.
On the occasion of opening a new facility in East LA alongside physiotherapist Amy Schultz, we had the opportunity to sit down with Jessika and discuss her journey. We delved into topics such as the unique training needs of skaters, how the industry can better support its athletes, and of course, the burning question: who is the most jacked skater?
Jessika Alexander, a prominent athletic trainer in skateboarding, poses for a photo.
Training Beyond Recovery: Tailoring Programs for Skaters
When discussing training with Jessika, it’s clear that her work extends beyond simple injury recovery. She explained that skaters often approach her with specific goals, including big tricks they aspire to conquer. Jessika shared an example of working with Alex Midler to prepare him for his “Car Wash” trick. She said, “He was like, ‘Jess, I might die,’ and I was like, ‘Fuck, you might, so let’s make sure you don’t and can nail this.’”
Jessika meticulously analyzes various factors when tailoring training programs for specific tricks. This includes how often the skater is skating, the nature of the spot, the required movement patterns, and how to achieve the trick as safely as possible. This meticulous approach highlights a shift in how skaters perceive training – it’s not just about avoiding injury but about pushing the limits of what’s possible.
It’s fascinating to hear that skaters are openly sharing their aspirations for difficult tricks with a trainer. Jessika emphasizes, “Forever the message has been ‘Contest skaters need training,’ and I’m like, ‘Why don’t we think street skaters need it too?'” She believes that whether a skater is aiming for SOTY or an Olympic medal, both goals are valid and require different paths to get there. The common thread is that both require dedication and proper physical preparation.
On the Streets: Integrating Training into Skate Sessions
Jessika’s involvement with skaters extends beyond the gym. She enjoys joining them on street missions, where she’s not just a spectator but also a valuable part of the team. “Someone had me pull up to Hollywood High with my table!” she recounts, highlighting the camaraderie she shares with the skaters. She also noted, “I think it’s really fun to be able to go to spots with them and just hang. First, because it’s natural. We’re friends hanging out and I get to watch them do what they do. Also, I’m a fan of skating myself so it’s great to watch.”
However, her role isn’t always passive. Jessika has had to spring into action on several occasions, like when one of Curren Caples’ friends injured his ACL on a trampoline. Even off the clock, she’s often approached for quick fixes, “It’s funny, whenever I’m there even out at a bar, any little ache or pain they’re like ‘Jess, fix me!’ We’re at the bar, and they’re like ‘I’m hurt, help.’ I’m always on the clock [laughs].”
Recovery and Return: A Gradual Approach
Jessika emphasizes the importance of a gradual return to skateboarding after an injury. Skaters, known for their “go-hard” mentality, often struggle to hold back. She explains, “The challenge with skaters is that they don’t know how to hold back, so anytime someone comes back from an injury and they’re ‘cleared to skate’, they’re like, ‘Cool, I’m gonna go back out and be the monster I’ve always been,’ and that is not how it works.”
Her approach involves a structured progression, starting with flat ground tricks, followed by pushing around, and finally progressing to a skatepark. This careful methodology, what she calls “board contact,” ensures a safer and more sustainable return to skating.
On the topic of recovery aids, Jessika humorously states, “Yeah, I would have to say no. I’m not going to prescribe weed for recovery.” While she doesn’t endorse it, she acknowledges, “But I would have to say if you’re a skater that takes any substances such as weed, alcohol, or tobacco, weed is gonna be the last one I take away most of the time.” She prioritizes limiting alcohol intake due to its inflammatory nature and avoiding tobacco altogether because it inhibits collagen synthesis.
Jessika Alexander and Yuto Horigome, two figures in the skateboarding and training community, pose together.
The Unique Demands of Skateboarding Training
Jessika explains that while the basic principles of training for skateboarding are similar to other sports—producing and absorbing force—the unique challenge lies in the lack of a defined off-season. “With skaters, it’s been a really interesting challenge to create the right program to manage volume because they’re skating every day. It’s harder to manage that, to make sure we’re not overtraining them or undertraining them.” She describes this as a “never-ending dance” with skaters, requiring constant adjustments and careful monitoring.
She points out the difference in support structures: “It’s not like the NBA or MLB where when you get injured, you go to your team and you’re on a path to proper care.” She advocates for sponsors to cover the cost of care for their athletes. “If companies are asking these athletes to put out video parts and go to contests at this volume, injury is inevitable,” she emphasizes, urging the industry to recognize the value of training and care. She believes that the industry is gradually recognizing the importance of training but that it will take time to completely change the culture.
Taking a Slam: The Art of Rolling
When it comes to minimizing the impact of a slam, Jessika suggests, “I would say just knowing how to roll – knowing how to roll yourself out of something.” She explains that “Rolling out of it is the best way – you want to tumble out of whatever you’re at and roll in whatever direction you can rather than being stick figured.” She points to Nakel Smith as someone who exemplifies this skill.
Jessika believes that skaters are good at self-care, particularly with massage guns. She dismisses the notion that skaters are surprised by the idea of training. “I guess I never get surprised because I know skaters deep down want to better themselves – they always want to be better and be taken care of. They wanna do what they can to skate forever. They just needed someone to take the “jock stereotype” out of the gym.” She mentions Grant Taylor as a prime example of a skater who consistently trains and has seen significant improvements. She firmly states, “No! Of course, there’s gonna be some jocks somewhere in the mix, because jocks exist everywhere, but no I do not think skateboarders are jocks at all.”
A GIF of a skateboarder performing a trick.
The Olympics and Shifting Attitudes
Jessika acknowledges that the Olympics have played a role in opening skaters up to training and self-care. “In the early days of the Olympics, there were too many competitions worldwide, excessive travel and I noticed skaters were traveling with no care. No one was looking out for these athletes.” Jessika recognized the need for support and made sure she was there to provide it. She believes the Olympics offered her a platform to reach more skaters and provide the support they needed during that highly stressful period.
While events like the Olympics are more serious, others such as CPH Open are more relaxed. Jessika explains, “Something like CPH Open, I mean c’mon [laughs] – we know what’s going on there. We are heavy revving for sure.” Regardless of the seriousness of the event, Jessika emphasizes that athletes always want to perform their best. She expertly balances fun and work, saying, “If someone needs me and I know they’re gonna need me in the morning, I might hold back a little at the bar. But I’m still gonna have a good time.”
When asked about pre-contest hangover protocols, Jessika laughs, “That’s top secret. I can’t share that with you.”
The Hectic Reality of Supporting Skaters
Jessika mentions that working alone at events can be quite challenging. She recalls the 2021 Olympic Qualifiers in Rome as her most hectic experience, where she was the only support for all of the American athletes. “At that point in the season, most of the athletes were injured in some way because the volume they put on schedule prior to the Olympics was way too much,” she explains. She emphasizes that the excessive travel and the high number of contests took a toll on the athletes both physically and emotionally.
Jessika Alexander and Nyjah Huston, two recognizable faces in the skateboarding world, are seen together.
The Influence of Hardcore
Growing up in the skate and hardcore scenes, Jessika explains how hardcore has impacted her work. “Hardcore is in my veins,” she says. She describes finding solace in the music and feeling a sense of belonging in the hardcore community. “I always say hardcore and skateboarding was the first part of my journey and healing, then finding training and getting into therapy would be the final. So those are three really big pillars in my life that helped shape who I am.” The ethos of hardcore is always present in her work.
She also mentions several familiar faces from the hardcore scene that she works with, including Lee from Trash Talk, Toby Morse, and the guys from Turnstile. “It’s sick for all of us to be a bunch of little hardcore kids and to watch a lot of us grow and become who we are now.”
Finally, when asked who the most jacked skater is on her roster, Jessika confidently states, “The most jacked skater in my immediate realm is definitely Dashawn [Jordan]. Dashawn is ripped.”
The conversation with Jessika Alexander highlights a crucial shift in skateboarding culture. It’s no longer just about pushing the limits on a board but also about pushing the limits of physical fitness and self-care. With dedicated professionals like Jessika leading the way, the future of skateboarding looks not just exciting, but also incredibly sustainable.
A GIF of a skateboarder doing a trick with style.
