This week John Trottier aka Johnnyskicks is on the podcast. We talk about working with the Sneaker Surgeon. How he almost was a pro in soccer. How he grew up on military bases and how he got a British accent. When did he start designing shoes. Working with several customizers and what he is doing with Yankee Kicks. Where his inspiration for design comes from and much much more!  

Follow JohnnysKicks: 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/JohnnysKicks_ 

X: https://x.com/johnnyskicks   

Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks 

Sign up for the Patreon: https://patreon.com/MyFirstKicks  

Music by The DoppleGangaz: https://thedoppelgangaz.bandcamp.com/

Chapters:

00:00 Executive Assistant Role with Shoe Surgeon in 2016

04:56 First Kicks: Iverson Fours and Sneaker Passion

09:42 Company Success: Relying on Others' Strengths and Overcoming Competitiveness

14:23 Graphic Design Journey: Photoshop, Adobe Suites, and Instagram Influence

17:52 Pursuing Art: Concepting, Maker Collaborations, and First Shoe Releases

21:30 Empowering Shoe Makers & Customizers: New Opportunities & Financial Gains

25:15 Personal Taste: Buying Quality Pieces & Examples of Influence

28:42 Lawsuits Impacting Sneaker Sales and Authenticity Concerns

32:37 Peter Moore's Design Legacy: Jordan 1 and Von Grock History

36:13 Von Grock's Original Silhouettes: Basketball, Pickleball, Lifestyle

40:16 Zellerfeld's Goal: Printing New Shoe Designs Daily Using AI

44:04 Footwear Design & Development: Palm Angels Collaboration

47:43 Tiers of Fakes: AAA Version and Quality Insights with Sniderb

51:29 US Manufacturing and Tooling Control for Limited Sneaker Editions

55:18 Acceptance of Fake Sneakers and Retail Reliance ️

58:44 Factory Money and Sneaker Production Insights

01:02:23 Surrounding Self with Successful People and Growth

01:06:32 Complex Con 2023 Content and Podcast Support

From MLS Dreams to 3D Kicks with JohnnysKicks

This week Kenneth Anand is on the podcast, we are talking about his love for kicks. Growing up in New Jersey, working on music and pursing a degree in law. He share some crazy stories like selling kicks straight off his feet. Working with Kanye West on the Yeezy brand, what it was like to start writing Sneaker Law. How he's able to combine his passion and his career into one. Plus a ton more!  

Follow Kenneth: 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/kennethtaughtme 

Sneaker Law IG: https://www.instagram.com/sneakerlaw/ 

Cop Sneaker Law V2: https://sneakerlaw.com/   

Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks 

Sign up for the Patreon: https://patreon.com/MyFirstKicks  

Music by The DoppleGangaz: https://thedoppelgangaz.bandcamp.com/  



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Chapters: 00:00 Puerto Rican Day Parade 1998: White and Blue 95s Story 

03:40 ComplexCon Encounters: Marvel Fleece and Podcast Invitation ️ 

07:16 Crispy White Fives: Nervousness and Black Cement Four Comparison 

11:17 Luxury Sneakers vs Athletic Shoes: Personal Style Preferences 

14:46 Short Bus to Port Authority: Fat Beats & Lyricist Lounge Memories 

18:14 Versus Battles: Dips Set vs. The Locks and Venue Comeback Wish 

22:54 Similar Sneaker Story: Red Fours, Paxon Encounter, and a Bold Offer 

26:25 Kai's Asics Unboxing: Brand Loyalty and Authenticity on Social Media 

29:58 Law and Music Business: Brand Deals and Celebrity Ventures 

34:06 Predatory Behavior: Rungs on Ladder vs Service to Others 

37:52 Surrounding Yourself with Things You Love: Constant Magnet 

41:39 Adidas Yeezy Team: Hard Work, Amazing Product Today 

45:21 Excitement and Passion: Trying New Things and Learning from Failure 

48:59 Vision and Authenticity: Staying True to Yourself and Making Good Art 

52:57 Staying Young Through Culture: New Trends & Staying Ahead 

56:20 Anti-Biting Culture: Respect for Pioneers & Paving the Way 

01:00:21 Protecting Special Creations: Trademarking and Nike's Strategy 

01:04:17 Connect with Kenneth: Sneaker Law, IG, LinkedIn, and Book

Producing Sneaker Laws with Kenneth Anand

This week Jixie is back! If you haven't heard the first episode we dropped check out Episode 18 of the podcast! This week, she's back and we are catching up 4 years later. We talk about how sneakers have effected her life. Working with Jordan brand, the reason she had to put sneaker down for a while. How she uses sneakers to connect to other women in all these spaces. Also what we think of sneaker culture now! 

Follow Jixie: 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/kixiejixie 

X/Twitter: https://x.com/kixiejixie  

Follow In Her Soles Collective: https://www.instagram.com/@inhersolescollective   

Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks 

Sign up for the Patreon: https://patreon.com/MyFirstKicks  

Music by The DoppleGangaz: https://thedoppelgangaz.bandcamp.com/

Sneakerhead Sweet Valley High with Jixie

This week I am joined by Mouse Jones, we talk about how we got connected. His love for kicks and where did it stem from, growing up in Long Island. Becoming the host of Trap Karaoke and how that came about. Creating Deadass Comedy Show and how it is the toughest room in New York. Being outside and what he has seen. The one time he's made a line and much much more!  

Follow Mouse: 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/mouse_jones 

X/Twitter: https://x.com/MouseJones   

Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks 

Sign up for the Patreon: https://patreon.com/MyFirstKicks  

Music by The DoppleGangaz: https://thedoppelgangaz.bandcamp.com/



Chapters:

00:00 Intro: Mouse Jones

04:01 First Pair Needed

07:15 First White Shoe?

09:35 Rockefeller Era

12:12 First Cardigan

14:53 Top Influence

17:37 Trading Sneakers

20:27 Line Story Begins

22:55 Tripled Up Pairs ️

25:19 Trap Karaoke Start

27:45 Viral Melodies

31:39 Dead Ass Check Out️

33:52 Comedy on Phone

36:44 Sneaker Battle

39:05 Appreciate These

41:40 Patreon Shoutouts

Deadass Sneakerhead with Mouse Jones

This week I am joined by Maiy, we talk about her journey working at foot stores. How she found herself working in corporate Foot Locker. What she really went to school for. Growing up with immigrant parents and why they want to open up a store. Her transition to working at Hoka and their recent success. Finding culture and embracing culture, plus much much more.  

Follow Maiy: 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/maiyyymaiyy   

Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks 

Sign up for the Patreon: https://patreon.com/MyFirstKicks  

Music by The DoppleGangaz: https://thedoppelgangaz.bandcamp.com/   

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Chapters:

00:00 Sneaker Culture 

03:29 Intriguing Story 

07:20 Entered the Game 

10:49 Art of the Hunt 

16:13 Parents Reaction 

19:41 Immigrant Children 

23:04 Stubborn Personalities 

27:13 Breaking Barriers 

32:28 Corporate Trajectory 

35:46 Buyer Workload 

39:55 Sneaker Shift 

43:39 Layering Artistry 

47:11 Culture Gatekeeping 

51:01 Sneaker Culture 

56:08 Marketing Team 

59:37 Upcoming Hoka Pair 

e01:03:38 Build This Out More

We Out to Cafe 28! with Maiy

This week I am joined by Anik Kahn, we talk about how we met. How he got into music and the significance behind his latest release. Also we talk about his history with sneakers and fashion. How growing up in Astoria, Queens changed his life. The work he put into reclaiming his name, and how family has always had a huge impact on him. The places he has been to and the different cultures he's been able to experience. Plus much much more.  

Follow Anik: 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/anikkahn_ 

YouTube:  @AnikKhanmusic  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCJb10Z7ACjyhD-sY7OtdLZg]   

Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks 

Sign up for the Patreon: https://patreon.com/MyFirstKicks  

Music by The DoppleGangaz: https://thedoppelgangaz.bandcamp.com/   

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Chapters: 

00:00 Life's Ups & Downs 

03:41 First Pair Needed 

06:46 Full Circle Moment 

10:30 Culture Shock 

14:02 Bangladeshi Struggle 

18:15 Talking Religion Now 

22:07 History of Hip-Hop 

25:13 Steinway Stories 

28:24 Discovering SB's 

31:35 Rolling Stone Article 

35:18 Essence of Core 

38:09 Correct Pronounciation ️ 

41:30 Unapologetically 

45:02 Traveling the World ️ 

47:53 Authenticity Matters 

51:34 Younger Self Advice

Bengali Boys Unite! with Anik Kahn

This week I am joined by Paco, you may know him for his dope food content. We talk about how he started getting into creating food videos. Becoming a pro skater and the opportunities he's gotten. Also living in Cali and what he didn't like about the state. Late nights at Diamond Supply Co. and how far skateboard has taken him. Being discovered by JonnyShipes and what he's been able to do! Plus a whole ton more!  

Follow Paco: 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/vote4pedrooooo/ 

YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@PACOEATSEVERYTHING.  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCTBGOZ6_UnyQfdKY9RLZmmg]   

Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks 

Sign up for the Patreon: https://patreon.com/MyFirstKicks  

Music by The DoppleGangaz: https://thedoppelgangaz.bandcamp.com/

Smash Burgers, Wings & Kicks with Paco

This week Bimma returns to the podcast to talk about how creating Collab Lab changed his life. Hearing how the decision to end Claima Stories came about. What struggles creators face and what it is like to be a one stop shop. When he decided to do a Sneaker of The Year video and the response about it. Who inspired him to start Collab Lab and where we should taking things as creators going forward. Plus a whole lot more!  

Follow Bimma: 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/bimmawilliams/ 

Website: https://www.bimmawilliams.com/  

Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks 

Sign up for the Patreon: https://patreon.com/MyFirstKicks  

Music by The DoppleGangaz: https://thedoppelgangaz.bandcamp.com/ 

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 Chapters:

Lead With The Message with Bimma Williams

This week my guest didn't show up, so I decided to roll with the punches. It's just me talking to you all about what I have been seeing in sneaker culture. I share stories about growing up and why I think certain things shaped my views on sneakers. Creating this podcast and the journey I have had, what is next and how do I get there. Plus much much more!  

Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks  

Music by The DoppleGangaz: https://thedoppelgangaz.bandcamp.com/



Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Personal Anecdote 

00:40 Welcome to My First Kicks 

00:57 Exploring Sneaker Culture 

01:45 The Importance of Community 

04:24 Fake Sneakers and Personal Experiences 

08:53 The Value of Authenticity 

12:56 Pushing Boundaries and Personal Growth 

18:02 The Role of Sneakers in Everyday Life 

19:19 Consumer Power and Sneaker Choices 

20:54 The Necessity of Being Outside 

24:09 Collecting Sneakers vs. Other Collectibles 

27:31 Reflecting on Nostalgia and Missing Connections 

27:57 Bridging the Generational Gap in Podcasting 

28:57 The Influence of Streaming and Podcast Demographics 

31:58 Challenges of Starting a Podcast 

39:44 The Importance of Cultural Engagement 

45:50 Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans

Out of The Box 

This week I am joined by Mage, we talk about growing up in Brooklyn and New Jersey. How his parents influenced him, and their unique way of punishing them. Getting to know Heron Preston, and how we met in ComplexCon. Being able to be invoice boys and working at Stadium Goods. What he plans to become and work on and much much more!  

Where to find Mage:    

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@mage.ig 

YouTube:  ⁨@mageyt99⁩ [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCLdiY9-3mRbbD32UqTn7SNw] 

Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks  

Music by The DoppleGangaz: https://thedoppelgangaz.bandcamp.com/

Chapters:

00:00 Lacing Up: The Power of Sneakers 

00:48 Introduction to the Episode 

01:11 Meet Maj: The Sneaker Aficionado 

01:46 The Journey to Social Media Fame 

04:12 First Kicks: The Bred 11 Story 

07:48 ComplexCon Experiences 

11:57 Working at Stadium Goods 

19:37 Meeting Icons: Virgil and Travis 

22:02 The Legacy of Virgil Abloh 

27:28 Future Aspirations and Career Goals 

28:08 The Art of Producing: Beyond Making Beats 

29:05 A Passion for Horror Movies 

31:31 Sneaker Culture and Collecting Stories 

33:21 Navigating Sneaker Trends and Hype 

37:41 The Future of Sneaker Culture 

55:09 Reflecting on Personal Growth and Ambitions

We Are The Tastemakers with Mage

My First Kicks is a podcast with the goal of bringing storytelling back to the sneaker community. Each week your host Hass brings on a guest and ask them. What’s your first kicks? Using this question as a through-line to start a conversation that begins with kicks and goes anywhere possible.

Hass

Shows