37 - Connor Scholten: Better Than Average

Mark McBride, author of "The Yonomicon" and inventor of 3A yo-yoing, discusses the pivotal transition from fixed axle to transaxle yo-yos, which allowed for longer and more complex tricks. He emphasizes the importance of cataloging tricks by breaking them down into fundamental components, introducing holds, moves, and a notation system in his pioneering book on yo-yo theory. The conversation explores adopting a "skateboarding mentality" in yo-yoing, encouraging players to embrace failure and foster creativity. Topics include the evolution of yo-yoing over the past 25 years, the development of new tricks and divisions like 3A, and the significance of symmetry and documentation. They discuss how originality emerges naturally through dedicated practice and the influence of other art forms on yo-yoing. The evolution of 3A is examined, including the yoyos used and the concept of the "five houses of 3A," illustrating how competition trick selection shaped the style's direction. The importance of style, flair, and the early role of contests and clubs in building the yo-yo community is highlighted. Emphasis is placed on grassroots organizing, encouraging individuals to create events and clubs independently without needing permission or significant funding, thereby enriching and expanding the community. Chapters 00:00 Mark's Journey into Yo-Yoing 06:46 The Rise of Fiend Magazine and Mark's Role in the Yo-Yo Community 13:50 Inventing the 3A Division: Mark's Contribution to Yo-Yoing 27:10 The Power of Symmetry and Exploring New Areas in Yo-Yoing 35:38 Mimicking and Replicating Tricks 39:52 The Influence of Scoring Systems 47:08 The Impact of the Internet 56:48 The Origins of 3A 01:10:38 The Evolution of Yoyo Design 01:12:35 The Five Houses of 3A Yoyoing 01:15:59 The Importance of Style and Panache 01:29:00 The DIY Nature of Yoyo Contests 01:37:41 Just Show Up and Do It 01:44:26 The Evolution of Yo-Yo Tricks 01:48:13 The Creation of the Yo-Namacon 01:54:31 The Importance of Community and Balance 02:25:56 Exploring the Stories and Insights of Old and International Yo-Yo Players (these notes are AI generated)

In this conversation, Ross Levine and Justin Dauer explore the intricate world of yoyoing, focusing on Jusitn's journey of becoming a national champion, the importance of nurturing talent, and the art of routine and trick construction. They discuss the pressures of competition, the significance of audience engagement, and the role of music in crafting compelling performances. Dauer shares insights on developing cleanliness and consistency in routines, as well as the necessity of practicing recoveries and understanding the nuances of performance art. The conversation emphasizes the storytelling aspect of yo-yoing and the need for variation in routines to captivate audiences. In this engaging conversation, Ross Levine and Justin Dauer explore the evolution of online yo-yo competitions, the behind-the-scenes efforts of the Ante YoYo Cup. The duo delves into the mechanics of yo-yo tricks, the design and durability of the Evolve yo-yo, and the concept of positive and negative tricks, all while emphasizing the balance of fun and competition in the yoyoing community. Chapters 00:00 Nurturing Potential in Yo-Yoing 16:20 The Journey to National Champion 29:27 The Pressure of Competition 36:11 Crafting a Winning Routine 42:47 The Art of Combo Construction 45:15 The Art of Trick Construction 48:23 Chunking: Building a Routine 51:24 Song Selection and Routine Flow 54:09 The Evolution of Online Competitions 01:03:37 Auntie: The New Era of Yo-Yo Competitions 01:17:14 The Timing of Competitions 01:18:15 The Importance of Online Competitions 01:19:16 Filming Techniques for Success 01:20:57 The Evolution of Cleanliness in Yo-Yoing 01:21:25 Raising the Stakes in Yo-Yo Competitions 01:22:33 The Impact of Community on Yo-Yoing 01:23:33 The Subjective Experience of Winning 01:24:30 Community Reactions to Competition Results 01:26:03 The Anticipation for Future Competitions 01:28:10 The Philosophy Behind Ante Competitions 01:29:19 Prize Structures and Competitor Engagement 01:30:27 Judging Standards in Yo-Yo Competitions 01:32:30 The Growth of Competitors in Yo-Yoing 01:33:33 The Role of Sponsors in Competitions 01:35:20 The Evolve Yo-Yo: Design and Philosophy 01:39:21 Durability and Material Strength in Yo-Yos 01:48:13 Understanding Yo-Yo Materials and Their Impact 01:51:52 Applied Yo-Yo Theory: Positive and Negative Tricks 02:00:00 Conceptualizing Tricks: Theoretical Foundations of Yo-Yoing

Summary In this conversation, Ross Levine and Shalom Stern discuss Shalom's journey in the yo-yoing world and his rapid rise to success on Instagram. They also touch on other hobbies and interests, such as juggling, piano, and taekwondo. Ross shares how he connected with Shalom and helped him during his battle with COVID-19. They discuss the value of connections and the importance of consistency in building a following on social media. The conversation revolves around the success of the speaker's yo-yo videos on Instagram and the strategies he used to connect with non-yoyoers. The speaker emphasizes the importance of consistency in posting and continuously improving the video setup. The signature outfit, including the green hat, has become a recognizable element of the speaker's videos. The monotone voice and lack of exaggerated reactions in the videos have contributed to their appeal. The use of captions in the videos helps engage viewers who may not be able to listen to audio. The speaker's videos have gained a large following and have been shared widely, leading to viral success. The conversation covers various topics including the use of audio in videos, the impact of technology on mental health, the challenges of posting daily, the importance of landing tricks consistently, and the significance of not reacting after hitting a trick. They also discuss the concept of torsion in yoyoing and the difficulty of coming up with daily video ideas. The conversation concludes with a discussion about the challenges of maintaining consistency in posting videos and the impact of the Sabbath on participating in competitions. The importance of dedication and continuous improvement is emphasized, as well as the need to be creative in both trick development and content format. The episode ends with a teaser for a giveaway and a reminder to never give up and keep pursuing one's passions. Chapters 00:00 The Role of a Lucky Hat in Shalom's Journey 23:43 The Journey of a Yo-Yo Influencer: Navigating Social Media 26:41 The Art of Connecting with Non-Yoyoers Through Video Content 32:00 Building a Following: Challenges and Triumphs 34:36 Hashtags and Video Format: The Key to Content Visibility 40:34 Skill Development in Yo-Yoing: Consistency and Qualification 43:44 The Impact of Social Media on Skill Promotion 45:23 The Art of Yo-Yo Tricks and Physics 46:49 The Daily Posting Challenge: Consistency and Creativity 48:43 The Impact of Unique Video Format and Content Creation 52:27 The Mechanics of Viral Videos: Shalom's Success Story

This episode features the exceptional Connor Scholten @tricksyouforgot44. A revered competitor, and a cornerstone in yoyo education through his many YoTricks tutorials, Connor shares his invaluable insights and personal journey. Ross and Connor delve into the evolution of yoyo competition styles, the art of teaching and creating tutorials, the strategic use of statistics in competitions, the challenges of objective judging, and Connor's own yoyo journey.

In this captivating episode of “Kill Your Yoyo,” Ross dives deep into the world of yoyoing with the phenomenally talented Katie Thompson. From her early days of casual practice to becoming a YoyoFactory-sponsored yoyoer and a beacon in the yoyo community, Katie shares her inspiring journey and the pivotal moments that shaped her passion for yoyoing. The duo explores Katie’s unique approach to practice, her transition from softball to yoyoing, and how her athletic discipline fuels her continuous improvement and creative process. They also touch on the importance of goal-oriented practice, the intricacies of competition scoring, and Katie’s significant influence on the yoyo community through her work with the Central California Yoyo Club. Additionally, Katie opens up about her emotional experience at the 2023 National Yoyo Championships, her creative process for making freestyle videos, and her excitement about her confirmed sponsorship with YoyoFactory. Whether you’re a yoyo enthusiast or just love a story of dedication and creativity, this episode offers a fascinating glimpse into the life of a yoyo virtuoso.

Every time you go to a contest without signing up to compete you're missing a chance to get on stage. Even if you don't compete at all, the act of putting together a routine to music will make you a better yoyoer in ways that you cannot understand until you actually try it. And what better time and place to try than the San Diego Classic! Learn more in this mini series and check out sdyoyocontest.info for more info!

Hi homies! Today we have Alec Ceceña on the show for the kickoff of a special series of episodes all about how to start a yoyo event. Alec is in the process of single-handedly founding a brand new yoyo competition and I want to track the process at every step of the way to provide a basic road map for you to follow! Expect one or two more follow-up episodes as the competition approaches and eventually takes place.

Join Ross and Ed Haponik as they discuss the lessons Ed has learned from a year of yoyoing with the same single fixed axel yoyo...though it is definitely a little (read nearly 10 months) late hahaha. Thanks for your patience.

The title says it all. Subscribe and share. Buy the Dopamine, signature yoyo of Ross Levine on Sunday, Sep 3, 2023 on Yoyoexpert.com. Visit @modern_yoyos on instagram for giveaway rules.

The title genuinely says it all. Buy my merch at modernyoyos.com and tell your friends to listen to this show. Nerds.