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Finding Freedom on Wheels: Daryll Laird's Journey from Scotland's Streets to Skate Parks
Manage episode 484409325 series 3587888
What happens when you discover aggressive inline skating at age 30 and finally get diagnosed with ADHD in the same year? For Daryll Laird, it created the perfect storm for personal transformation.
From the moment his best friend threw a pair of Shadow skates at him, Daryll found himself landing grinds within the first hour. That initial spark quickly blazed into a full-blown passion that would change how he experienced his world. After years of going undiagnosed, Daryll discovered that aggressive skating provided the perfect outlet for his ADHD brain – demanding complete focus while rewarding creativity and expression.
"I go to the skate park to let off steam. I go to the skate park if I'm upset. I go out and skate, even if it's just sunny and I'm happy,” Daryll explains. This therapeutic relationship with skating extends beyond just tricks and techniques; it's reshaped how he moves through life. Now a member of Glasgow Urban Rollers, he's explored parts of his city he never knew existed, viewing urban architecture through a skater's lens where handrails and ledges become opportunities rather than mere structures.
The skating community has embraced Daryll completely. "It's been such an unjudgmental, welcoming community," he reflects, noting how skating transcends backgrounds and borders. For those intimidated by starting, his advice is refreshingly simple: "Just believe you can do it... you're not made of glass, and it's going to take practice." Whether bombing down Glasgow's Buchanan Street or learning new tricks in DIY parks, Daryll's journey proves that finding your passion doesn't have a timeline – sometimes, the perfect match between person and pursuit comes exactly when both are ready.
Want to follow Daryll's skating adventures? Find him on Instagram and TikTok @scottishblading and discover how wheels on feet can transform perspective, community, and mental health.
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Chapters
1. Introduction to How Do You Skate (00:00:00)
2. Daryl's Late Start to Skating (00:01:17)
3. ADHD and Skating Connection (00:05:22)
4. Skating Culture in Scotland (00:08:43)
5. Mental Health Benefits of Skating (00:14:59)
6. Street Skating in Glasgow (00:21:01)
7. Skating Community and DIY Parks (00:30:55)
8. Advice for New Skaters (00:40:10)
9. Following Daryl's Skating Journey (00:45:18)
43 episodes
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