Something that impressed me, was low key Tony Hawk and Christian Hosoi were. They would show up randomly at the Hickam Hanger skate park and acted like normal people(before the base took it over and ruined it). You wouldn't realize they were there until you would see someone drop a 540 out of no where. No press, groupies, or entourages... just regular guys putting in work.
What is interesting is how some pro skates stayed focused and revolutionized the sport while others got caught up in murders, drug distribution, etc.