We recently had the chance to connect with Tommie Zam and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Tommie , thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
What I am most proud of building that nobody sees is my foundation. When my parents and Elwood were in their final years, I chose to stay present and carry that responsibility. It shaped me with resilience, loyalty, and purpose.
That same foundation is what has kept TSM MEDIA alive for 15 years. People see the interviews and events, but they do not see the late nights, the sacrifices, or the drive it takes to keep moving forward without outside funding.
I am proud of that invisible structure, the inner strength and vision that holds everything together even when no one is watching.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Tommie Zam and I am the co founder of TSM MEDIA, a platform built on 15 years of passion for skateboarding, music, and culture. What began as True Skateboard Mag has evolved into a movement with shows like TSM LIVE SHOW and One on One, along with collaborations that connect artists, visionaries, and the skate community. We are independent, rooted in authenticity, and focused on telling real stories while building partnerships that expand our reach and inspire the culture we represent.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
A moment that shaped how I see the world was when I left Florida and moved to San Diego in 1995 with nothing more than a plane ticket and one thousand dollars. I did not know anyone, but the moment I landed it felt like home. That move showed me that sometimes you have to step into the unknown to find where you truly belong. It taught me that comfort zones can hold you back and that growth comes from taking risks, trusting yourself, and following the pull of your spirit. That experience has shaped how I see everything since, from relationships to business to life itself.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
The defining wounds of my life have been loss and betrayal. I lost my father, my mother, and Elwood, and each one left a mark that never truly fades. I also went through two marriages that ended painfully, one through family strain and the other through betrayal. Those experiences could have broken me, but instead they taught me loyalty, patience, and strength.
I healed by choosing to stay present for my family in their final years, by carrying responsibility with love, and by finding purpose in building TSM MEDIA. Healing for me has not been about erasing pain but about turning it into fuel, into vision, and into resilience that I can pass forward.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
The cultural value I protect at all costs is authenticity. Real culture comes from the streets, from the people who lived it and built it, not from corporations or outsiders trying to control it. That is why with TSM MEDIA I stay true to the roots and make sure the voice of the culture is always represented with honesty and integrity.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Yes, because I already have. For 15 years I have given my best to TSM MEDIA without outside funding or recognition, driven only by passion and purpose. Praise fades, but purpose lasts, and I believe giving your best is about honoring the work and staying true to what you are called to do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://truesk8boardmag.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tsm__media?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@tsmmediachannel?si=ukAQFssrsWWQLLN7
