Zero To Travel Podcast Shred America: 950 Miles from Chicago to NYC by Skateboard with Mike Kosciesza
Would you skateboard nearly 1,000 miles across the U.S. with no real plan, just to see what would happen?
Mike Kosciesza did just that with three friends and a dream to make a documentary out of it. Back in 2008, these four 20-year-olds set off from Chicago with their skateboards pointed toward New York City. A decade later, that wild ride became Shred America, a raw, DIY travel film packed with lessons they never saw coming.
We’re digging into Mike’s adventure, the long road to making Shred America, and what it takes to turn a crazy idea into something real, especially when you don’t feel fully prepared.
Mike’s story is a reminder that you don’t always need a perfect plan to start something meaningful. You’ll hear about what it takes to follow through on a wild vision, the lessons that come with looking back on your younger self, and why doing something imperfectly can lead to your most unforgettable adventures. We also get into the unexpected challenges of documenting a trip like this, what it’s like to finish a film a decade after shooting it, and why a little rebellion can take you a long way.
Would you ever go on a trip without much planning, just to see where it leads? Or have you done something similar before? I'd love to hear about it, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.
*This is a previously released episode from the archives! Zero To Travel interviews are timeless, offering valuable insight whenever you listen.
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Tune In To Learn:
- Why Mike and his friends decided to skate from Chicago to NYC in the first place
- How picking a departure date changed everything
- What went wrong with their original film plan, and how they adapted
- How the team pushed through injuries, burnout, and zero navigation skills
- Why a random guy in a bathroom helped save their trip
- What it’s like editing a film of your 20-year-old self, ten years later
- Advice to anyone dreaming up a bold idea but unsure how to start
- How filming organically added authenticity (and chaos) to the journey
- Why they turned down film festivals and opted for DIY distribution
- How rebellion and risk-taking shaped their travel and creative paths
- And so much more
Resources:
Want More?
- 900 Miles Biking (With No Clothes, Money or Bike!)
- Cross Country Canoeing: 7,500 Miles Into the Soul of America + an Unconventional Life of Travel With Neal Moore
- Walking the World with Alexander Campbell and Tom Turcich
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