Nora Vasconcellos was meant to be a skater. She knew it even as a child growing up in rural Massachusetts, but had to take an ollie of faith to actualize her dream: At the age of 19, she embarked on a cross-country journey, leaving behind everything except her board and determination behind.
At 29 years old, Vasconcellos (@noravexplora on Instagram and Twitter) has left her mark on the skate world. She turned pro for adidas in 2017, the same year she placed 1st in the Vans Park Series World Championship. Thrasher listed the Pembroke, Mass. native at Number 4 in its list of the Top 10 Women & Non-Binary Skaters of 2019. But Vasconcellos has also been championing mental wellness by being vocal about her own lifelong battle with panic disorder.
For the launch of her first signature shoe with adidas Skateboarding, the NORA, we spoke with Vasconcellos via email about her inaugural collection with the Three Stripes, her mental wellness journey and future goals. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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