I grew up skateboarding it was fun. I didn't think about money I didn't know how much professional skateboarders made. I just knew that if I became a professional skateboarder I would achieve a lot and get to travel and do these great things.
There's something to be said for failing. It's not the failure you feel it's the failure that people project when something disappoints. You're back to ground zero where there's no expectations and that's where I like to be.