It’s rare to find someone who excels in both the creative world of skateboarding and the rigorous field of academia. Alexis Sablone is that exception. She’s a professional skateboarder who has competed in the Olympics, an accomplished architect, a talented artist, and a coach. This multifaceted individual defies easy categorization, leaving many wondering how she manages to achieve so much. We sat down with Alexis to delve into her unique perspective on talent, dedication, and the ever-evolving world of skateboarding.
Beyond Skateboarding: A Look into Alexis’s World
Alexis Sablone’s accomplishments extend far beyond the skate park. She co-owns a skate shop with her childhood friend and fellow WKND pro skater, Trevor Thompson. Her artwork frequently appears on skateboard decks and apparel, showcasing her artistic talents. And if that weren’t enough, she’s also a practicing architect, designing skateable plazas worldwide. In her “spare time,” she coaches the American women’s Olympic skateboard team. This extraordinary level of productivity piqued our curiosity, leading us to explore her views on talent and success.
Secret Societies and MIT Dungeons
When asked about her impressive academic and professional achievements, we jokingly inquired if she’d been inducted into any secret societies. While she hasn’t joined any clandestine groups, Alexis shared some interesting anecdotes from her time at MIT, including stories of spooky tunnels and late-night research into invisibility cloaks. Though she wasn’t involved in any secret experiments, her experiences at MIT highlight the unique environment that fostered her diverse talents.
The “Genius” Question
While others might call her a genius, Alexis doesn’t consider herself one. She admits to moments of creative brilliance during projects but also acknowledges the many individuals pushing boundaries in different fields, like the ones working on invisibility cloaks. She sees her work, including her art and architectural designs, as a form of play, while others are working on technologies that are literally changing the world.
Skating the Halls of MIT
The expansive MIT campus with its maze of industrial buildings and hidden tunnels became Alexis’s skate spot during winter. She’d explore the architecture floors early in the morning, taking advantage of the quiet hours to skate without disruption. This anecdote speaks to her resourcefulness and passion for skateboarding, even when faced with unconventional environments.
Deadlines and the All-Nighter
Despite having numerous projects, Alexis admits she doesn’t necessarily thrive under deadlines. She often finds herself pulling all-nighters, a habit developed during her architecture school days, to get things finished. While she acknowledges this isn’t a healthy practice, it shows her commitment to completing projects at the highest level.
Friends and Floaters
Alexis describes herself as a “floater” in high school, someone who was friendly with everyone but not part of a specific clique. She had friends across different groups, including skaters but also many non-skaters. She spent weekdays focusing on academics and sports, reserving skateboarding for the weekends with friends like Trevor Thompson.
High School and Self-Discovery
She recalls having a few early boyfriends in middle school, including one skater with whom she talked on the phone while watching TV. This changed as she entered high school, when she realized she was gay and wanted to focus on skateboarding. Escaping to Boston and Milford on the weekends to skate became her way of self-discovery and developing her skills.
Helmets and Hypocrisy
When asked about the possibility of her future children skateboarding, she is uncertain whether she would make them wear helmets due to her own history of not wearing one. She recognizes that safety is important, but her experience of developing a sense of self-preservation makes her hesitate to be a hypocrite. She even joked about designing a reinforced beanie-type helmet.
Lessons from the Service Industry
Alexis’s time working in the service industry as a barista and in the back of a restaurant taught her valuable lessons. She emphasizes the importance of empathy and the need for everyone to experience working in service to understand the rude behaviors that are commonly observed. She actually found these jobs to be more fun than her time working in architecture firms.
The Freedom of Skateboarding
Working in architecture firms felt like clock-watching, while skateboarding, especially the freedom it offers, makes it difficult to return to anything else. This freedom inspired her to turn skateboarding into a career, something she had not been able to trust for so long. The road was not easy. It was filled with the stress and pressure of competitions that she didn’t necessarily want to participate in, but it ultimately led her to the successful position she is in today.
Contests and Financial Stability
Contest money used to be Alexis’s primary source of income, which forced her to participate in events she didn’t enjoy. The lack of sponsorships for female skaters meant she relied heavily on her performance in a single X Games each year. She was even exploring student loans to cover her expenses in the years she didn’t perform well. This changed with the Olympics, as it was the first time she had the option to do contests because she wanted to, not because she needed to. Though she is more financially stable now, the experience continues to influence her behavior and she takes on multiple projects due to the uncertainty she has about her income from skateboarding.
Heroes and Mentors
When asked about her heroes, Alexis admits that she didn’t have many people she looked up to until she actually met them in person. She mentions professors like Madeline, who challenged her to pursue architecture, and skaters like Elissa Steamer and Kenny Hughes, who impressed her with their character and impact. These relationships illustrate the power of personal connection in shaping one’s perspective.
The Evolution of the Skateboarding Industry
Alexis acknowledges that the skateboarding industry has improved in recent years, particularly regarding equality and representation. She emphasizes the need for it to move faster and be more inclusive. Though she doesn’t miss the old industry’s exclusion, she does have nostalgia for the 90s era where skateboarding felt more underground and exclusive. This created a sense of community that is not as prevalent today due to the increased visibility of skateboarding.
The Mystique of the Past
Alexis reflects on how things become less mystical as you get older, which can sometimes lead to a sense of dullness. While she recognizes this feeling, she notes that things are harder for younger people today due to the over saturation of information and experiences. She notes that it takes more to impress someone today because the world is more fast-paced.
AI and the Human Element
Responding to the rise of AI art generators, Alexis emphasizes that art is not about technical proficiency but about the story and the individual behind the work. She expands this point to skateboarding too. She states that it’s not enough to be good at skateboarding, it’s about the things that make people magnetic and memorable. These perspectives showcase the value she places on human connection and genuine expression.
Conclusion
Alexis Sablone’s unique perspective is a result of her diverse experiences. She exemplifies that talent is not limited to one area and it can be applied to multiple disciplines. Her journey demonstrates the importance of passion, dedication, and the ability to connect with others. By embracing both the freedom of skateboarding and the structure of architecture, she has carved a path that is truly her own.
Interview by: Ian Michna
Photos by: Jon Coulthard & Matt Price courtesy of SKF Bearings.
