Mike: Hello and welcome! Today we have Stan, a skateboarding champion, in our studio. Stan is our local teenage skateboard star. Hi Stan, how are you? 

Stan: Hello and thank you for your invitation. I’m happy to be here. 

Mike: Stan, you're just a teenager and you're already a local skateboarding champion. Congratulations.

Stan: Well, thank you, Mike. 

Mike: So tell us, Stan. Is it easy to become a skateboarding champion? 

Stan: Well, I wouldn’t say it is easy or difficult. It is simply hard work. I believe there is no gain without pain. You get up, go to school, come back home, eat, do your homework, and go to a skatepark and practise. 

Mike: Sounds like fun.

Stan: But it is not always fun. Before you learn a trick, you fall many times. Nothing comes easy. You fall, you get up, and try again and again. And you have to be fit and strong all the time. 

Mike: Ok, now it sounds like hard work. So what do you do to keep fit?

Stan: It is hard work. I try to be active all day long. When you skateboard, you need to be strong and flexible. That is why I walk when I can’t skateboard. I always take the stairs instead of the lift. This is how I strengthen my bones and muscles. And of course, I skateboard everywhere. I skateboard to the shops, to the cafes to meet my friends, and even to the other side of the town to visit my grandma.

Mike: And when the weather is bad? 

Stan: Well, then I always go to the gym to strengthen my muscles. My uncle works as a personal trainer. He helps me a lot. And to be honest, when you practise, there is no good or bad weather. Before important competitions, I spent some rainy evenings at a skate park practising my tricks. My parents were not happy about it, but if you want to be good, there is no bad weather.

Mike: And what about your school results? Do you do well at school?

Stan: To be honest, I do quite well. My grades aren’t amazing, but I always pass tests and projects. I think that it is one of the benefits of an active lifestyle. When you have a daily plan and exercise a lot outside, your brain gets lots of oxygen. It really helps to concentrate and learn easily. 

Mike: That is what all athletes say. When you are active, you learn better. What about sleep?

Stan: Well, when you are active all day long, you don’t have sleep problems. You sleep well. It is also a benefit of an active lifestyle. When you exercise, your body gets lots of oxygen. So you fall asleep in a moment. Exercise helps sleep well. 

Mike: Stan, but let me explain something to everybody. Three years ago you were not an athlete.

Stan: Yes, that is right. Three years ago I wasn’t fit or healthy. I was tired all the time and my school grades weren’t good. I spent lots of time watching TV and playing computer games. I was quite heavy, tired, and sleepy all the time.

Mike: So what happened that changed your lifestyle? 

Stan: My parents bought me a skateboard. And it was the best present in my life. I started spending time outside because I really wanted to learn how to skateboard well. Quickly, I saw that fresh air and skateboarding gives me lots of energy. And I’m in a good mood. 

Mike: And that was the moment when the champion was born. Thank you Stan for sharing your story with us. 

Stan: No problem. I am really happy I can talk about my lifestyle. Just remember: healthy body, healthy mind!