Tony Hawk, 56, Feels ‘More Energized’ Than When He Was Younger: 'I Thought I Was Invincible’ (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Tony Hawk (left) in 1986; (right) in 2017.Photo:Paul Harris/Getty; Shutterstock / Arturo Verea

Paul Harris/Getty; Shutterstock / Arturo Verea

Tony Hawkisn’t slowing down — on or off the board. But as the skateboarding legend says, he takes better care of his body.

“I would say 10 to 15 years ago, I would skate until I was just exhausted and kind of sick. And now, Iskate at least[as] much as I used to, and I feel energized,” Hawk, 56, tells PEOPLE exclusively.

“I just was going non-stop and taking whatever opportunities arose and taking red-eyes to events,” Hawk says. “I felt the effects of that greatly, but thought I was invincible.”

Since then, he has learned to balance his passion and his lifestyle, thanks to a health wake-up call.

Tony Hawk in Los Angeles in 2023.Phillip Faraone/Getty

Phillip Faraone/Getty

He says 10 years ago, blood work showed “I had high cholesterol and high blood pressure for my age.”  Since then, along with taking the supplements, he says, “I just take care of my body more. I exercise three times a week, strength and training. I eat well. I eat much better than I used to, and just kind of watch my intake and I don’t indulge in anything that is bad for me.”

As a result, “My skating endurance has changed dramatically for the better.”

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Tony Hawk in Playa del Carmen in 2017.Shutterstock / Arturo Verea

Shutterstock / Arturo Verea

“And as I get older, heart health is super important, my joint health,” thedad of four says. “I went through someinjuriesa few years ago and I feel like I’m on a trajectory now that is way different than I’ve been on for a decade. Getting older, I feel really good about skating these days,” he says. And when he’s on the board it’s at his own ramp — which he calls “pretty intense“ — for about 90 minutes, three to four times a week.

“I definitely put my cardiovascular system to the test when I’m skating. In fact, I have a ring that measures … my heartbeat and my activities. And according to the app, my cardiovascular health is seven years younger than my actual age. So… I’ll believe those steps,” says Hawk.

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source: people.com