Episode 3.4 : Frank Figueroa AKA @rizztheavengersk8s

Skaterade

It can be easy as a New Yorker to lose sight of the endless possibilities the city holds, but this week’s guest never misses a chance to take it all in. Frank Figueroa has covered countless miles on these city streets, in his well-loved roller skates, that are often a scrape away from combusting. Anywhere there is a community event with good music and dancing, you better believe he’s there and finding release almost certainly with his skates in tow. When the iconic rinks, Skate Key and Empire closed in the early 2000s, Frank took his love of wheels and dancing to the streets, and shows no signs of stopping. Frank has the hard-won grit the city is known for and he’s got the battle wounds to show for it, however he’s not afraid to be vulnerable and channels that sensitivity through his numerous modes of artistic expression including disciplined training in dance, photography, and DJing.
In this intimate conversation we get a glimpse of what Frank contends with including dismantling societal expectations for men expressing emotion (whilst holding space for others) and skating through physical and mental pain. He does this all with an enviable fluidity and serenity.
Frank shares the history of skating he’s lived through in NYC, and the ways in which his community mentors have given to him and how he’s paid it forward. We also get into the magic of partner skating, and how much human connection it fosters.
Frank’s ease and sincerity will transport you. He speaks with the same nostalgia and sensory palette when he regales us with growing up in Chinatown arcades and dumpling spots as he does navigating the Tokyo subway system. Kick back and let Frank take you on a Journey!
Follow Frank on IG :
@rizztheavengersk8s

Learn more about New Style Hustle & Frank's mentor Jeff Selby :
@jeff_newstylehustle

In memory of another of Frank's mentors, Lezly Ziering:
https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/18/nyregion/lezly-ziering-who-rescued-roller-skating-dies-at-82.html
Get down with Frank's DEEP playlist! 7hrs of music! :
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLj8YS30KOFOG7W_5UEQOodjO8DFGbc-j2

If you, or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts please know there are resources available, and people who care:
https://988lifeline.org/

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