Girl Skateboards' professional skateboarder Andrew Brophy has always been open about his thoughts, but in a recent interview with The Ben Raemers Foundation, he got real about something many people don’t often talk about: his past struggles with alcohol and how it affected his mental health.
Brophy shared how the skateboarding lifestyle, which often includes long days of skating, partying, and indulging in bad habits, had taken a toll on him.
For many skaters, the idea of partying with the crew, drinking, and just living in the moment can be part of the culture.
It’s all about the freedom to skate all day, hang with friends, and let loose. But for Brophy, the drinking and partying were eventually wearing on him more than he could ignore.
He spoke about how the anxiety he felt from living that kind of life made it harder to cope, even when he was doing what he loved.
Despite everything, Brophy was determined to make a change. He made the tough decision to step back, reassess his life, and take control of his health and mindset.
It wasn’t easy, but he worked hard to get back on track mentally.
Even in a world where skating is often about being carefree and rebellious, it’s important to check in on yourself. Skaters, like anyone else, can face struggles, and it’s okay to admit when things aren’t going well.
The full interview with The Ben Raemers Foundation dives deeper into his past struggles and the steps he took to overcome them.
For anyone out there going through similar challenges, Brophy’s openness is a big step toward encouraging more honest conversations in the skateboarding community.
Make sure to watch the full video for more on how Brophy turned things around. It’s a real and relatable look at mental health, alcohol, and the importance of taking care of yourself, no matter how tough things get.