Professional skateboarder Ryan Sheckler has been highly vocal about his Christian faith, describing a deep spiritual transformation that helped him overcome severe alcohol addiction and navigate the pressures of early fame. While he grew up in a Christian household, he has stated that he did not truly understand or feel the weight of his beliefs until hitting rock bottom later in life.
Hit Bottom and Spiritual Awakening
Sheckler became a professional skateboarder at age 13 and later starred in the MTV reality show Life of Ryan. The sudden influx of money, fame, and a lack of structure eventually pulled him into a heavy party lifestyle. After struggling with severe alcohol addiction that threatened his career and personal life, he entered rehab. During his recovery, he began reading the daily devotional Jesus Calling and shifted from merely identifying as a Christian to actively surrendering his life to Jesus Christ.
Faith in His Marriage and Family
Sheckler credits his wife, Abigail, whom he married in November 2021, as a cornerstone of his spiritual revival. The couple has publicly spoken about building a Christ-centered household, choosing to practice celibacy before marriage to ensure their relationship remained built entirely on deep communication and shared spiritual values. They now have two daughters and raise them in a faith-forward environment.
Integrating Faith into Skateboarding
Sheckler uses his platform to share the Gospel and has stated that he views skateboarding as a "God-given gift" meant to serve others and lead people to Christ. He frequently speaks about his journey in faith-based media, including interviews with Christian podcasts and ministries.
Furthermore, his religious commitment influenced his professional transitions; he joined Zero Skateboards, a company led by Jamie Thomas, who is also highly open about his Christian values. To symbolize this alignment, Zero released a signature Sheckler "Holy Cross" pro board, designed to push a message of faith directly into the skate community. Despite receiving pushback for his public stances, Sheckler has made it clear that he is no longer interested in pleasing critics and remains unapologetic about his commitment to his faith.