Episode #47 with Australian skateboarder Tas Pappas

In Episode 47 Derek is joined by Australian skateboarder Tas Pappas who during the 1990's, alongside his brother Ben, reached the top two places in the world rankings. His journey and story was documented in the 2014 film All That Mayhem - watch it! Tas opens up about his early childhood trauma and how that has affected him throughout his life. We discuss Tas moving from Melbourne to Tampa Florida at the age of 17, going 8 months without talking to his parents, to follow his dream of becoming a pro skater. The Aussie quickly rose to the top of the skateboarding ranks but admits he always had a chip on his shoulder due to the early trauma in his life and always wanted to prove to his dad he could be a man. In 1996 Tas won both titles at the Hard Rock Cafe Skateboarding World Championships (the finals event, as well as points accumulation for the entire year), beating Tony Hawk on the way. At the time Tas admits he was cocky as a result of drug use and following the competition used his prize money to buy cocaine. In 1999, Tas' brother Ben was arrested for attempting to smuggle 103 grams of cocaine into Australia in the sole of a skate shoe. As a result of the conviction, he was banned from traveling internationally for three years and his passport was seized. Tas highlights that drugs blind you to the reality of life which ultimately led to his brothers suicide and his own incarceration in the US. Tas opens up about flying to Argentina to pick up a kilo of cocaine while under the influence of speed, which he then hid in skateboards and brought back to Australia, getting arrested on his arrival. Since his release from jail Tas has turned to Christianity and believes deliverance has allowed his spirits have been cast out of him leaving him feel lighter. It allowed him to resist the urges and is now off his psychotic medication which he was on for 15 years. Tas is now back in Melbourne, skating for fun with his son Billy, and working as a window cleaner on skyscrappers. Tas admits he is "still a work in progress" but is well and truly on the right track.