"A Pure Act of Joy" -- 500 Straight Days of Roller Skating
Chicago-area photographer Lenny Gilmore has shot portraits of some of the city's most recognizable personalities, from Chief Keef and Chance the Rapper to actor Michael Shannon and hockey's Marian Hossa. But in 2015, while documenting a local roller derby team, a fire was lit within Gilmore to pursue roller skating himself. And last year, the love affair became a commitment to roller skating every single day, with Gilmore often documenting his adventures on social media -- blazing through sleepy neighborhoods, busy intersections and even late-night skates inside O'Hare. Now having clocked 500 continuous days of skating (and counting), Gilmore discusses today how he turned his perpetual passion into a new children's book, as well as how the Batavia native views his skills as passports to exploring the world. In tandem with this episode, keep an eye on our social media for video of Gilmore roller skating through our WBBM offices and newsroom, to celebrate his 500th skate day!
Follow Lenny Gilmore on TikTok | Purchase "If You Roller Skated the World"