i started skateboarding and boxing pretty much at the same time -around 11/12 y/o; i.e. almost 25 years ago- both trajectories has been similar: i was practicing daily during my teenager years, i did some competitions, i went through a few years pauses from time to time but always got back to it at some point. the key difference though: boxing = i only practiced it and that's it. i never felt truly part of the culture at large. skateboarding = it's been a huge part of my identity all along. skaters would instantly spot i'm a skater too. i see myself as a skater; and i never stopped being part of the culture.