Throughout our lives—hopefully long and fulfilling ones—there will always be a bunch of fools eager to tell us that we’re too old for something, that we’re too decrepit to achieve anything great, or, at best, that our chance to stop being losers slipped away long ago.
And that’s exactly why I’d love to shove Neal Unger’s story right in their faces. Because this man has shown us that mastery can begin at any moment, at any age, the second we decide it’s time. The only real key to happiness in this damn life is losing the fear of chasing our dreams.
So here it is—the story of a hero.
Neal Unger, better known as The Old Man across skateboarding communities, is living proof that joy, movement, and passion know no age. Born in 1957 in Anaheim, California—the home of the Next Up Foundation—Unger grew up watching Disneyland’s fireworks from his bedroom window. But while his childhood had moments of magic, it was also marked by loss.
In 1962, his mother bought him his first skateboard, unknowingly setting the course for a lifelong love of skating. Shortly after, she passed away, and his older brother adopted him, taking him to San Diego, where he discovered surfing. His love for board sports grew, and as a teenager, he even surfed the Bow River in Canada, a rare and unconventional sport that caught the attention of local news.
After finishing high school, he returned to California to surf and, by 1984, took skateboarding more seriously. Over time, he began inventing his own tricks—like the Sissy Pop and Sissy Bounce Finger Flip, which went viral and were even dubbed the Unger Flip by some skaters. His passion took him to places he never imagined, landing him gigs in movies, music videos, advertisements filmed in Argentina, Germany, and South Africa, and even a documentary, Radical Age. He was also invited to celebrate the opening of the Corinthians Skatepark in São Paulo, Brazil.
But beyond the tricks and travels, what makes Unger truly inspiring isn’t just his ability to skate—it’s the philosophy he brings to it. His style isn’t flashy, nor is his physical ability mind-blowing for his age. What makes him extraordinary is the sheer, unshakable happiness he radiates while skating. In a world of chaos, Neal Unger moves through it like a modern-day Buddha, finding mental clarity and inner peace on four wheels.
His journey has also been marked by love and resilience. He met his wife at a bereavement support group in Newport Beach—both had lost their previous spouses. Now, they call the sun-drenched Coachella Valley home, where Neal continues refining his tricks and learning new ones under 350 days of sunshine a year.
You Are Only as Old as You Accept You Are
Neal Unger’s story is more than a tale of an older man riding a skateboard—it’s a testament to the idea that we are never too old to chase our passions, evolve our dreams, and find fulfillment in the journey. The battle is never truly over. Sure, our bodies may slow down, our minds may not be as sharp, but life holds meaning and value until the very last second. And maybe even beyond—who knows? Maybe we’ll never be able to tell others what comes next. Or maybe we will.
But what we do know is this: surrendering to time is a choice. You can let the years define you, or you can shape them into something meaningful. Dreams don’t expire; they transform. And the best way to achieve personal greatness isn’t through fame, fortune, or breaking records—it’s by leading a life that makes you truly, deeply happy. Neal Unger does that every time he steps on a skateboard.
So the real question is—what’s stopping you?
