Brain Drain Episode 42 with Toby Batchelor & Forde Brookfield 🧠 Join us for over two hours vertical madness with XGames gold medalist and Opera Skateboards very own Sam Beckett. In this episode we discuss being the only British skateboarder to win an X-Games gold medal, Turning pro for Blind Skateboards & Madness Skateboards, the death of Dwindle Distribution, the birth of Opera Skateboards, the brilliance of Bill Weiss, living in the U.S.A, working for SkateboardGB, getting into woodwork, multiple surgeries, taking a step back from sponsored life and much much more! 00:00 - Coming up on this episode. 02:26 - Sam Beckett's Skatepark of Tampa profile mix up... 03:32 - Where is Sam from, how did he get into skateboarding and what was his local skatepark? 07:52 - When did Sam get skating vert? 15:52 - How long did it take Sam to get comfortable and confident with skating vert? 20:38 - What were Sam's first sponsors, eventually getting onto Blind Skateboards (Europe) and early trips... 30:28 - How long was Sam on Blind Europe for before he got onto the full Blind Skateboards team, first trips to the U.S.A and entering competitions. 38:15 - Back and fourth from the U.K. to the U.S.A, meeting Bill Weiss and the importance of shaking hands... 45:55 - Turning PRO for Blind Skateboards, the birth of Madness Skateboards, choosing the team and issues with the original name! 1:03:26 - Show sponsor: @slappytrucks 1:04:32 - Sam's PRO shape for Opera Skateboards... 1:10:32 - How long does a board last when you're predominantly skating vert and making all his product last as long as possible 1:14:14 - The death of Dwindle Distribution, the end of Madness Skateboards, the newcomers of Opera Skateboards and it's future... 1:24:24 - First British skateboarder to win the 2016 Summer XGames and the absolute brilliance of Jimmy Wilkins!! 1:38:43 - Inventing tricks, the niceness of Darren Navarette and has Sam's job at SkateboardGB altered his perception of his own skateboarding? 1:44:25 - Sam's role of a "Performance Development Coach" at SkateboardGB. 1:49:04 - Taking a step back from sponsors, multiple surgeries, ACL reconstructions, moving back to the U.K and living in Bristol... 1:59:10 - Getting creative with woodwork and exploring frontside grinds and backside airs. 2:07:50 - Closing statements and credits! Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & Youtube. https://linkin.bio/rollersnakes Support The Brain Drain Show by hitting the "THANKS" button under this video. Subscribe to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BrainDrainShow 💰Want to BUY Brain Drain Merch?💰 https://rollersnakes.co.uk/search?q=brain+drain INSTAGRAM: 📸 Rollersnakes 📸 https://www.instagram.com/rollersnakes https://www.instagram.com/rollersnakesshopderby YOUTUBE: ▶️ RollersnakesTV ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/rollersnakestv Support us by checking out our sponsors: Rollersnakes: www.rollersnakes.co.uk Presented by: Forde Brookfield (@bagheadcrew) & Toby Batchelor (@tobybatchelor) Edited by: Forde Brookfield Producer: Frazer Murphy (@dontfollowfrazer) Thumbnail: Frazer Murphy #skateboarding #braindrainshow #xgames #sambeckett #operaskateboards