EP008 - Amelia Brodka
From an early encounter with women’s vert at X Games in Philly at age 12 to a professional skating career as the “Polish Wrecking Ball”, Amelia Brodka has made a life from the sport she loves. But what might be the biggest mark she leaves on the industry is transforming women’s skateboarding with a documentary film she made in response to seeing a decline in women’s events and lack of opportunity for girls and women. From the film, Underexposed, to her nonprofit organization and annual event, Exposure, Amelia Brodka has paved the way for countless girls and women to be accepted and find opportunity in the world of skateboarding.Chapters00:00 Opening Credits and Music00:15 Introduction to Amelia02:10 Discovering Skateboarding at the X Games at Age 1206:09 Women and Girls Finding Acceptance in Skateboarding10:34 How Amelia's Skating Has Changed Over the Years15:21 Finding Time to Skate with a Busy Schedule16:59 What's Most Frustrating About Skating with Her Husband18:34 Training and Health in Skateboarding - "Prehab" & Carrots!20:38 Amelia's Skate Setups for All the Different Boards21:56 Impact of the Documentary 'Underexposed'26:43 Progress and Challenges in Women's Skateboarding29:17 Pushing Ahead with Exposure 1430:52 Navigating the Olympics: Experiences and Expectations34:07 A Fun and Unexpected Career in Skate Commentary35:15 How the Olympics Have Impacted Women's Skateboarding36:50 The Stress of the Olympic Qualifying Process41:01 2020 Olympics Challenges - COVID Fears, Uniforms and Colored Hair48:14 The Olympics May Not Be for Everyone49:26 Female Filmers and Creating a Safe Space for GirlSkaters52:01 The Importance of Community and Mentorship55:16 Utilizing Social Media to Connect with Female ProSkaters57:26 Industry Opportunities at Exposure58:40 SOTY and Tampa Pro for Women?01:03:00 Encouraging Mature Women in Skateboarding01:08:59 The Power of Just Showing Up01:10:00 Supporting Exposure Skate and Its Mission01:10:40 End Credits and Music