In June '03, Neal's was hospitalized with a swollen left knee due to a fast moving staph infection. Luckily, he was up and ready to compete in Europe only 2 weeks later, landing on the podium for the first time in 2003 (Scandinavia Open, July). Skating competitively since 1991, Neal is a member of the OG of skateboarding and finished 11th overall in '02 WCS Vert standings.