Step into the world of Brandon, the TikTok dynamo who brings endless creativity and passion to every skateboarding trick!

Where did your love for skateboarding start and what inspired you to get into the sport?

My love for skateboarding began at a very young age, around 3 years old. My dad and older brother used to skate back in their day, which meant there was always a skateboard lying around in the garage. This early exposure inspired me to take up skateboarding. As I grew older, the progression and challenge of skateboarding became addictive. I loved the freedom of expression that skateboarding offered and the absence of limits. Before I knew it, I was hooked and couldn’t stop thinking about what I would learn next.

After attending major sporting events, what has been your most unforgettable moment?

Until now, both of my Olympic experiences have been incredible. They were both so different in so many ways, but memories and experiences were created that I know will last a lifetime. For me, the most memorable moment has got to be in Paris, having my family and friends there supporting the crowd while landing that Kickflip front 5-0 down the Hubba has got to be my Olympic highlight so far.

What inspired you to create sports content on TikTok?

My TikTok journey began during the Pandemic. I had much more free time, which allowed me to connect with a larger community. From my standpoint, I skate almost every single day whether it’s training or recreationally, therefore my content naturally has a skateboarding focus as that is the environment I put myself in every day.

How do you balance your time between training and creating content for TikTok?

I follow a specific training program leading up to events, which includes both on-board and off-board exercises. When I am training, my focus is solely on improving my skills, not on creating content. I typically train on my board for 1 to 1.5 hours a day from Monday to Friday. This schedule allows me to use the rest of the day for additional skating and filming content for my social media channels, including TikTok.

How do you engage with your community and make your content more accessible or entertaining through your videos during high-profile events?

Sharing one of my recent experiences, I showcased Team South Africa's outfits and our house in the Olympic Village. I also gave a glimpse into my room and shared South African perspectives on the Games, including the Pins, Blitzboks' medal celebration, opening ceremony outfits, and Olympian perks like receiving a new Samsung. My content highlighted a unique view of the Olympics, featuring the Skatepark, our event location in Paris, and my top-scoring trick.

What has been the most challenging or rewarding aspect of sharing your skateboarding journey on TikTok?

The most challenging aspect of creating content for social media is staying consistent while remaining present. Ultimately, it comes down to finding a balance, as the reward comes when your followers engage with, enjoy, and share messages of support for your content. This feedback reflects the appreciation for the effort you’ve put into sharing your journey and allows your audience to follow along. Traveling and skateboarding around the world was a dream of mine growing up. Now that I’m living out that dream, I share my content to inspire others and show them that if they trust the process, they too can make their dreams come true.

What advice would you give to other professional athletes or skateboarders looking to use TikTok to grow their presence and engage with their community?

TikTok is a great platform used by millions of people every day and has become one of the most popular social media platforms among the youth today. Therefore, I highly recommend that all athletes and skateboarders use this channel to grow their brand. It has reached a point where I can show up at a skatepark and have a group of kids say, “Hey, I’ve seen your videos on TikTok.” The platform’s algorithm allows for rapid growth if your content is engaging, taking into account various factors, including your location.

Are there any specific TikTok trends or features that you’ve found particularly useful for showcasing your skateboarding skills?

I don’t usually follow trends. Instead, I create my own ideas and post whatever I think is cool, and it often gains traction. So, I guess you could say we’re setting the trends! Haha.