+
upworthy
More

This awesome skateboarder is 8 years old, and she just made history.

Sky Brown has been skating since she was 3.

Earlier this summer, 8-year-old skateboarder Sky Brown became the youngest girl to skate in the Vans U.S. Open Pro Series.

She's from Miyazaki, Japan, and she's being called a "pint-size skate prodigy," competing with people more than twice her age.

Sky, her skateboard, a ramp, and one single uncut line, linking the impossible, this is her dance, her rules, her release, just having Fun to a song she loves... Be kind, Stay humble and Smile OFTEN!!!! #soulskater #soulsurfer #onlyaskaterknowsthefeeling #itsnotaboutpretty #8yearold #girlisnota4letterword #dwindledistribution #skatelife #skate #skatergirl #almost @almostskateboards @dwindledistribution @girlisnota4letterword @roxy @pridesocks @smithscabs @goprojp #skategirl #transworldskate #metrogrammed #skatecrunch #girlisnota4letterword #almostskateboards #globebrand #skateboarding #skatergirl #girlpower @tensortrucks @jessupgriptape @vertra #skateboarding @stickybumpswax @super_brand @globebrand #shralpin @gopro #FUN @hawkersco @indo_board #stoked


A video posted by Sky and Ocean (@awsmkids) on

As someone who's never been able to so much as keep my balance on a skateboard while it sits perfectly still, I was blown away by the athleticism, agility, and just general badassery on full display in the videos posted to Instagram and YouTube.

Looks like skating runs in the family.

Sky started skating at just 3 years old (she surfs as well), learning the tricks of the trade from her dad, Stu. Her 5-year-old brother, Ocean, can also hold his own on the board.

Sky as she just arrives at Venice beach Skatepark, unable to contain her excitement.. People that know Sky understand how excited she gets but noone ever captures it as well as @hellochristinrose.. As small and young as she is. Her passion and love for skateboarding is huge. And size, gender or ability just don't matter .. You love what you love... It's not about contests, winning or how many tricks you can do, it's about having FUN.. The rest just follows.. Skating is their for everyone.. Just wanted to Shoutout to @baetriarchy that front rock was soo sick and we loved the steez and @thrashermag were SO RIGHT to post it.. Who's cares about the peanut gallery anyway. We Skate.. Be kind, Stay humble and Smile OFTEN!!!! #sheplayswewin #soulskater #soulsurfer #onlyaskaterknowsthefeeling #passion #itsnotaboutpretty #8yearold #girlisnota4letterword #dwindledistribution #skatelife #skate #skategirl #transworldskate #metrogrammed #skatecrunch #girlisnota4letterword #almostskateboards #globebrand #skateboarding #skatergirl #girlpower #skateboarding #shralpin #FUN #stoked #theworldissuper

A photo posted by Sky and Ocean (@awsmkids) on

It's just cool seeing people pursue their passions and excel in life, especially at such a young age.

The world is filled with people proving you can be amazing at any age. Maybe that means changing careers at 85 years old, or maybe it means trying something really bold when you're over 60. the point is that age is nothing more than a number, a challenge in life.

To me, that's what makes Sky's accomplishment so cool. Watching her skate makes me want to go out and try something new, to find a new challenge, and to just put myself on the line. No, I'm unlikely to ever try to become a pro skater, but maybe I'll take a class or pick up a new sport or take up an instrument.

Does Sky's skating inspire you?

You can watch a video of Sky practicing below, but be sure to check out the YouTube page for even more rad skating videos.


Time travel back to 1905.

Back in 1905, a book called "The Apples of New York" was published by the New York State Department of Agriculture. It featured hundreds of apple varieties of all shapes, colors, and sizes, including Thomas Jefferson's personal favorite, the Esopus Spitzenburg.






Keep ReadingShow less
Health

Gen Xer explains sense of 'impending doom' that seems to define the Millennial generation

Somebody finally put it into words and a lot of Millenials are feeling seen.

A woman looks to the ground in dispair.

At the end of his YouTube video “Does Anyone Else Feel Like Everything Has Changed?” self-development influencer Stephen Antonioni makes a rather haunting observation: "In many ways, the world is a better place than it was yesterday, just judging by objective measures. But I can't help share the feeling that something is off and perhaps terribly so. And therefore, I have to ask the question: Does anyone else feel like everything has changed?"

The most popular comment on the video, which was liked over 28,000 times was written by a YouTuber named Tracy Smith. Even though, at 57, she’s a Gen Xer, her thoughts have resonated with thousands of Millenials.

“I am 57. Not only does it feel like ‘something wicked this way comes’ but there is also this feeling that the whole world is holding its breath. Almost as though we are all waiting for some catalyst or sign or event that puts an end to this feeling of being put on hold,” Smith wrote. “This vague, unexplained unease we feel. Something terrible lurking just out of our field of vision but we all feel it closing in. I cannot count the number of people who have told me they wish that whatever is going to happen would just get on with it. That this waiting for the thing in the darkness is unbearable.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Family

Mom calls out teacher who gave her son a 'zero' grade for not providing class with supplies

Her viral video sparked a debate as to whether or not providing school supplies should be mandatory for parents.

@shanittanicole/TikTok

A zero grade for not providing school supplies?

The debate as to whether or not parents should supply classroom supplies is not new. But as prices continue to rise, parents are growing more baffled as to how they can be expected by teachers to provide all the various glue sticks, colored pencils, rulers and other various items the incoming students might need.

What’s even more perplexing, however, is penalizing the children of parents who won’t (or can’t) provide them.

This was the case for Shanitta Nicole, who discovered her son received a zero grade in his new school for not bringing school supplies for the entire classroom.
Keep ReadingShow less
Joy

Doberman's blissful reaction while getting pampered at bathtime goes viral

This "scary" dog's next-level beauty routine proves there's nothing scary about him at all.

Representative Image from Canva

May this adorable video show that Doberman's don't deserve their bad reputation.

Let’s face it, Hollywood has given Doberman’s a bad reputation. So often they are depicted as the canine henchman to the evil villain, that many people assume that’s their temperament in real life.

But the truth is: like just about every dog on the planet, Dobermans are sweet, loyal and affectionate canine companions. And, much like Pit Bulls, they are not nearly as inherently aggressive as pop culture makes them out to be—especially when properly trained.

I mean, just take a look at Atlas. This goodest of good bois recently went viral on TikTok while getting a nice, relaxing bathtime session. He proved that not only are Doberman’s capable of extreme levels of chill, they can have a deep felt appreciation for some good old fashioned pampering.

Keep ReadingShow less
Photo by Gustavo Fring|Canva

Therapists explains being 'touched out' and gives tips to help

Just about every mother has experienced the feeling of being touched out. They may not know that's what it's called, or some may feel embarrassed to admit they're feeling that way due to fear of judgement. But when you think about it, being touched out, especially when you have younger kids seems inevitable.

The sense of your body not belonging to only you can start during pregnancy. Everything you do directly affects your developing fetus, and once the baby is born, it needs a lot of physical contact for proper brain, social, and emotional development. So babies are held a lot outside of feedings. Those babies turn into toddlers who then turn into early school agers, all of whom rely very heavily on co-regulation of their emotions and being physically near their parent to feel safe.

It's pretty much a constant state of being touched throughout much of the day. When psychologist, Dr. Raquel Martin reveals she too feels touched out in a video on Instagram, parents across the internet felt validated.

Keep ReadingShow less

No better time to grab a little shut eye.

For those in the military, sleep can mean the difference between life and death. But shut-eye can be very hard to come by, especially during active conflict.

According to Sharon Ackman, the U.S. Navy Pre-Flight School developed a scientific method to help its pilots fall asleep. Through this technique, 96% of the pilots were able to fall asleep in two minutes or less.

Keep ReadingShow less