Air Jordan 5 Retro OG “Fire Red” Feat. Elias Menzi, Naliyah & Costas Nanga

Elias Menzi

SNS: Skating is about pushing boundaries — what limits have you had to break to get where you are?

Elias: Skating, in my personal experience, is about being true to yourself and finding the courage to self-express. Realizing that in my teenage years has helped me get to where I am.

SNS: Skating has always had a rebellious spirit. How does that sense of defiance fuel the way you ride?

Elias: The subculture in itself has always been rebellious and always will be. We skate wherever we want, whether it’s legal or not. That mentality is always going to fuel the way I ride.

SNS: When you’re on your board, what truth about yourself comes out the most?

Elias : Doing what I do really takes self-determination and stubbornness, which I’m proud of. It’s what allows me to progress as a consistent skater and also as a person.

SNS: Every trick carries risk — what’s the biggest risk you’ve taken, and how did it shape you?

Elias: Traveling the world on my board has exposed me to risk, first of all because it has put me in a lot of social situations that have shaped me into a better person. But finding the courage to do a trick that you know carries risk is always going to be healthy for us skaters, because it helps us understand our capabilities.

SNS: Style is everything in skating. How do you make sure your skating reflects who you are?

Elias: In my community, we strive toward self-expression and being yourself at all costs. Style comes as a byproduct and will forever go hand in hand with everything we do, especially in skating. A hard truth is that the most talented skater without any style is not going to be a successful skater.

@eliaz_menzi

Naliyah

SNS: What limits have you had to break throughin order to create freely?

Naliyah: The biggest limits are the practical ones & the ones I put on myself. Finances, no team or manager, not always the resources to bring every vision to life. At times it feels heavy, but that’s part of the journey. I’m learning the process doesn’t need to be perfect as long as it feels real. And even with the limits, I’m blessed with a core of friends and family who lift me every day – I’m forever grateful for that!

SNS: How does defiance show up in your art and the way you move through the world?

Naliyah: Defiance shows up in me staying true to myself! Making what feels good instead of what’s expected. I’ve always chosen integrity over expectation, and the times I haven’t, it never felt right. Authenticity is at the core of who I am.

SNS: With so many outside voices and noise, how do you stay true to your own vision?

Naliyah: I’ve always believed in my vision – even on the days I doubt myself. At 16 I left football (my other passion) to give everything to music. With the support of family and friends, I’ve learned to never give up, and that belief is my compass. Of course I get inspired by other artists, by films, by life, but I often find my way back to the belief that started it all. Even if I don’t stick to the first idea, it always lays the foundation for what comes next.

SNS: How do you make sure your art reflects your originality and not what others expect of you?

Naliyah: I create from honesty. If the music feels honest, it will always carry that timelessness. I always say.. “when it comes from the soul it can’t be copied, it’s my story & no one else can tell it the way I can.”

SNS: What’s the most rewarding part of turning your passion into your reality?

Naliyah: For me, it’s seeing my songs reach people. The real reward is that simple! Making music I love and watching it connect. When it touches someone else, it’s no longer just mine, it becomes ours. And that’s beautiful. I know there are so many things I haven’t done yet. But the biggest dream right now is having my own gig in front of a big audience that’s there for me – sharing the moment and singing my songs. I can’t wait for that day.

@naliy.ah

Costas Nanga

SNS: Boxing is a sport that constantly tests boundaries. What limits have you had to break through to get where you are today?

Costas: My development really took off when I realized that my mind was my biggest asset. That my body might have limits but not my mind, from that insight I started to create my own story and path with no limits.

SNS: In and out of the ring, what does being defiant mean to you?

Costas: We all have feeling of fear and self distrustthat’s fully human. Courage for me is taking action for what you want and believe is right, even in the companie of fear and self distrust.

SNS: With so many outside opinions and distractions, how do you stay focused on your own truth and purpose as a fighter?

Costas: I listen to my heart, at the end that’s what matters.

SNS: What’s the biggest risk you’ve taken in your career, and how did it change you?

Costas: I take risks everyday, not only in the ring but also in life. My life philosophy is centered around risk taking. When I love I risk to not be loved back, when I say hey to a stranger I risk to not get a hey back, when I open up a throw a punch on my opponent I risk to get punched back. But without risk life is nothing and I am nothing.

SNS: Every fighter has their own style — how do you bring your personality and originality into the way you fight?

Costas: In life I've often been miss understood, but never in the ring. A kid who stands on the dinner table and sings proudly, the same kid turns to an adult and adopt all type of social norms and concepts, and shrinks its own personality.  I believe every human deserves a place where they can express them selves fully without limits, that should be mandatory.

SNS: Looking back at your journey, what makes you most proud about building yourself into the fighter you are today?

Costas: Looking back at my journey what makes me proud is throughout my journey, I’ve never killed the ”child” in me, he’s still fighting with fierce, curiosity and playfulness.

@costasnanga