This essay as they said it is based on a conversation with tony hawkin collaboration with Qunol. It has been edited for length and clarity..

My wife and I enjoy any opportunity to have our children around, now that they are mostly in their 20s and 30s. Our youngest son is going to college next month.

There is a lot of trial and error in parenting. And all children are different. Some of mine have a natural talent for skating, but they are not daredevils. Others have this crazy, reckless gene, but they don’t always have the experience to back it up. You have to know how they differ and adjust your parenting accordingly.

You also gain experience over time. My wife and I together have raised five children to adulthood. So, it is more natural to raise our children younger. I still haven’t figured out how to get him to clean his room though. I’m worried about her future college roommate.

Being a grandfather, that’s different. My grandson is almost two years old. I understand why people are excited about becoming grandparents now. You will become funny, not just a funny cop.

I have gotten better at protecting family time.

It was difficult to be an effective father to my children and at the same time be a businessman and an athlete. I did the best I could over the years. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned to prioritize my time better. That made me more effective in my career, but also more available to my children and now, my grandson.

That was definitely a choice I had to make. It sounds ridiculous, because I’m fighting for my own time. But it’s hard when people are constantly offering you opportunities and experiences. A trip to New York or a premiere seems fantastic, but at some point you start to lose yourself in all those opportunities.

I have realized that there is power in being able to say no. Nowadays, I think about the impact of an opportunity before I take advantage of it. What will be the benefit, not for me, but for skating in general? It’s not about earning the biggest salary, but about using my voice in the best way.

Nowadays, every ollie is a gift.

I became an entrepreneur. It wasn’t something I was looking for, but it’s something I enjoy. Like skating, there is a lot of risk involved. There could be a big reward. Or there may be failure and pain along the way. Either way, in the end you will have learned something.

My risk management has changed as I’ve gotten older. When I skate, I think about risk versus reward. I no longer do large aerial spinning moves because the risk is too great. Instead, I focus on complicated techniques and tricks.

Those excite me more than the great air. For a long time I took my ability for granted. Now that I’m 58 years old, every ollie is a gift. The fact that I can still do this is a great pleasure. It means more than ever as I approach 60, and I’m so grateful for that.

The little moments matter more these days

I’m very happy to keep moving. In addition to skating, I started lifting weights and stretching. I didn’t do those extracurricular exercises for years of my career, but now I can see how important they are.

That’s why I partnered with Qunol for this Move Like A Champion campaign. You don’t have to be a professional skater. As you get older, all you want to do is keep moving, whether it’s dancing, walking your dog, or chasing your grandchild, like me. The game is also important. That’s what keeps you young and your mental health in check.

Recently, I was at the beach with my family, just throwing frisbee with my kids. Hearing them laugh and do silly things, diving into the sand, means a lot. It’s those little moments that I idealize these days: when everyone I love is together, moving, in sync, and having fun.