The Mindful Surfer

Episode 22 | Surf community and being-human. Featuring founder of Surfers not Street Children. Tom Hewitt MBE.

Tom Hewitt, legend, ripper, true altruist and all round great bloke drops In to chat, shortboarding, surf community and SUPing. With a stellar and dedicated team Tom runs an amazing organisation https://www.surfnotstreets.org/ in South Africa and Mozambique using Surfing as a hook to get kids off the streets and out of addiction. A real surf for good ambassador but one who wears this with honesty, openness and a smile.We discuss whether us surfers are as chilled as we think we are? Or are we simply a reflection of society encompassing the good and the bad elements of all that goes with that.Tom and the boys mull the ups and downs of being human, the positive vibe warriors and life during lockdown. There is conversation of underrated British surf scene, welcoming breaks and the great vibes that grom packs are bringing to line ups. Teaching grizzled ‘take life too seriously’ humans, how to rip and still have fun. Feeling the surf school happy vibe. And despite all of our passions for surfing we also have to accept when our own kids are simply not into it.Surfers not street children survive on donations, the price of a couple of rounds of drinks a month makes a huge difference to the lives of kids who really need it.. ..The Mindful Surfer is proud to support SNSC. https://www.surfnotstreets.org/To donate.https://cafdonate.cafonline.org/8299#!/DonationDetails#%2FDonationDetails

Episode 21 | Impermanence, Riding the Waves of Life and Dealing with Triggers

Will and Liam cover everything from sedentary lifestyles, not wearing shoes and how ‘office job’, ‘desk dwelling’ convention gets in the way of our bodies moving as they were intended. Is the fear of labels and kookiness preventing us practicing proper stretching, movement and warming up in public.Will talks about his dinosaur hands, T-rex style and how they catch him out in surfs and take him away from flow.There is a shout out to Luke Cederman of the Raglan Surf report who cuts through a lot of the ‘taking surf too seriously shit’ with side splitting humour.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mjeccgct0UgThe boys chat about how wearing the label of happy go lucky and upbeat human, can also create unsustainable expectation and how we all need space to not be alright all of the time. It is ok to have flat days as humans. Like waves feelings pass. Good and bad. Often it is in experience of the down, the flat days, that we get to enjoy the up. Like pumping surf returning to lift the stoke levels.Why surfing and mindfulness go together so well because of this impermanence, its ebb and flow and how to build acceptance of this. That it will come as well as it will go and we simply attempt to embrace the journey, where there may not be a destination.Will talks about the importance of breath practice and remembering to use breathing techniques to bring calm and deal with stress and fear. Liam relates this to more ‘unnatural’ ‘unreal world’ sensations of fight or flight in the workplace.Surfskate practice and surf strength training feature in the body segment and Will talks Laird Hamilton quotes and the impact of having close friends around increase joy levels.Will and Liam also explore how we can learn to enjoy our surfing more by embracing unplanned moments and dropping the weight of expectation.
If you want to follow us you'll find us on our website https://www.themindfulsurfer.com/ ,Facebook https://www.facebook.com/willfosterhappinesscoach/ and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themindfulsurfer/ 

Ep. 20 | Kindness with Boundaries and the Art of giving Zero Fucks (Featuring Elizabeth Sneed, aka @curvysurfergirl)

Force of energy and good vibes Elizabeth Sneed, aka @curvysurfergirl drops in for a chat with the boys about life, surfing and wearing truth and vulnerability with lightness and laughter.
Elizabeth shares thoughts on dialling in positive mindsets, dealing with line ups, respecting the safety zones of yourself and others, as well as the importance of seeking out mentors and coaches if you are going from ground zero to surf hero.
Elizabeth shares her thoughts on being a truly Mindful Surfer and grabbing hold of life with energy, authenicity, open hearts and not simply sitting back and waiting for permission to go out and live the life you want. Never let the bastards get you down or armchair critics get in the way of getting on. She even talks about developing her own line of boards and surf kit for Curvy Surfers.
Outside of the interview Will and Liam embrace unconditional love, marriage, regional accents and bedtime stories. As well as chatting through surf image stereotypes and ocean danger.
 
If you want to follow us you'll find us on our website https://www.themindfulsurfer.com/ ,Facebook https://www.facebook.com/willfosterhappinesscoach/ and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themindfulsurfer/

Ep. 19 | ‘Marketed’ Joy, Pre-surf rituals and the dangers of expectation.

Will and Liam chat everything from the weight of expectation, surfing micro mini waves and how marketed joy and well edited surf footage can lead to 'fake Yews!' that hides the reality and struggle of surf life in blown out, storm ravaged beach breaks.   
In this episode the guys also chat functional fitness and the neglect of leg training in improver surfers as well as making time to get off social media, away from false images of perfection and into long form deep content like books.
Community member Ren recommends Ryan Holiday’s book ‘Ego is the Enemy’ and Liam makes The Social Dilemma a must watch for all Mindful Surfers.
The boys look forward to sharing next week's episode as force of energy and good, Elizabeth Sneed, aka the curvy-surfer-girl, drops in for a chat! https://www.instagram.com/curvysurfergirl/ 
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27036528-ego-is-the-enemy
Will's recommends Mick Fanning training his legs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CV1CmkIsYsw
Check out Will's book "Filling the Happiness Gap"  https://www.amazon.com/Filling-Happiness-Gap-Will-Foster/dp/1781809445 
"The Social Dilemma" https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11464826/ 
If you want to follow us you'll find us on our website  https://www.themindfulsurfer.com/ ,Facebook https://www.facebook.com/willfosterhappinesscoach/ and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themindfulsurfer/
 
 

Ep. 18 | An Interview with Sasha from Zero Ego Board Reviews

In episode 18 of The Mindful Surfer Podcast, Will and Liam start their conversation by talking about the journey of progressing in surfing. They discuss "Man's Search for Meaning", Book by Viktor Frankl  https://www.amazon.com/Mans-Search-Meaning-Viktor-Frankl-ebook/dp/B009U9S6FI At the beginning of an interview, Sasha talks about why he started making videos. Liam asks Sasha how he deals with  the prejudices that surfers shouldn't do things like running a business (or like Liam says "be a functional member of society"). After that, Will and Sasha are talking about nutrition and fitness that Sasha does to help improve his surfing. At the end of an interview, they are discussing different boards and board choices. Sasha invites everyone to join The Wave Project https://www.waveproject.co.uk/ 
After the interview, Wil and Liam comment on surfing material available online, and advising other surfers. Liam recommends "Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life", Book by William Finnegan https://www.amazon.com/Barbarian-Days-Surfing-William-Finnegan/dp/0143109391 He then talks about the duality between being a surfer and having a "serious" job, and combining two of them. At the  end of an episode, Will talks about nutrition and different opinions around it.
If you want to follow us you'll find us on our website https://www.themindfulsurfer.com/ ,Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/willfosterhappinesscoach/ and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themindfulsurfer/
Check out Sasha from Zero Ego Board Reviews  https://www.instagram.com/zero_ego_board_reviews/
Stay tuned for next episode of The Mindful Surfer Podcast!

Ep. 17 | Surfing as Sport vs. Stoke, Effect of Stress on Body and Thoughts, Alternative Ways of Healing

In episode 17 of The Mindful Surfer Podcast Will and Liam start their conversation by saying massive "Thank You" to all their listeners around the world. Will talks about his sense of humor in the shows, and how it intertwines with today's society. He gives tips on choosing your surfing mates, as well as ones in life. They talk about receiving critique and different types of approaching it. After Philosopher's Corner Will does a meditation exercise. He talks about stress and how it affects our body and thoughts.
In the Mind, Body Stoke segment Liam talks about how he deals with his lower back injury. They talk about alternative ways of healing and the placebo effect. Will recommends checking out his teacher Paul Chek at https://chekinstitute.com/ He discusses why he achieves more stoke when he avoids crowds, and how it connects with his ego. They talk about "feeling" the stoke and how videotaping your surfing can affect it. At the end of the segment, they discuss surfing as a sport vs feeling.
In the Surf Media Insight segment Liam talks about brand NeedEssentials, and the surfing documentary they funded. He recommends checking out The Raglan Surf Reports podcast at https://cederguy.podbean.com/
If you want to follow us you'll find us on our website https://www.themindfulsurfer.com/ ,Facebook https://www.facebook.com/willfosterhappinesscoach/ and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themindfulsurfer/
Stay tuned for next episode of The Mindful Surfer Podcast!

Ep. 16 | An Interview with 'Jaws' Big Wave Surfer Adam Amin

In episode 16 of The Mindful Surfer Podcast Will and Liam are interviewing the 'Jaws' Big Wave Surfer Adam Amin. At the beginning of the episode, Liam talks about his new board and his time between surf sessions. They talk about Liams plans to improve his surfing and surfing as a self-development journey. They start an interview with Adam talking about his surfing beginnings in the UK, he describes how he got into surfing and progressed to surfing Jaws. Adam talks about his training technique to battle fear and how much time he spends training on land vs in the ocean. They talk about meditation and how to combine it with surfing. At the end of an interview, Adam talks about what keeps him motivated for surfing big waves.
After the interview Will and Liam talk about the wave sizes and how different people have different fear points. They talk about not caring what people think and how it connects to anxiety in life. In the end, they give tips on how to make your surfing dreams come true, and recommend checking out Priscila Guedes https://www.instagram.com/priscila_guedes_official/
If you want to follow us you'll find us on our website https://www.themindfulsurfer.com/ ,Facebook https://www.facebook.com/willfosterhappinesscoach/ and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themindfulsurfer/  
Stay tuned for the next episode of The Mindful Surfer Podcast!
 

Ep. 15 | 5 Definitions of True Kook

In episode 15 of The Mindful Surfer Podcast Will and Liam are talking about 5 definitions of true Kook. Wll says that a true kook is one who judges and brings negative energy to the surfing. Liam says that judgment comes from fear, and that ocean doesn't judge anyone. Will advises on managing yourself when interacting with inexperienced surfers and being aware of the situation. Liam says that everyone has to start as a Kook on their journey of growth.
In the second part of the episode, they talk about functional fitness. Will recommends Wim Hof for cold therapy https://www.wimhofmethod.com/ Liam talks about negative ions in nature that bring a feeling of zen and peace. He also recommends The Wave Project https://www.waveproject.co.uk/ Will talks about the negativity bias of not living in present and his experience of living in London. Check out Will's book Filling the Happiness Gap https://www.amazon.com/Filling-Happiness-Gap-Will-Foster/dp/1781809445 Liam talks about impact of social media on our perception of world, and just being happy when you're in the ocean.
If you want to follow us you'll find us on our website https://www.themindfulsurfer.com/ ,Facebook https://www.facebook.com/willfosterhappinesscoach/ and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themindfulsurfer/  
Stay tuned for the next episode of The Mindful Surfer Podcast! And until next time, embrace your inner Kook!
 

Ep. 14 | Interview with George Foster (a.k.a. Will's Brother)

In episode 14 of The Mindful Surfer Podcast Will and Liam are talking about trips they made on their holidays. They discuss principles of practice and Matthew Syed's book "Bounce". Liam recommends surf  coach Rodrigo Machado https://www.instagram.com/surfcoach/ and Seth Godin for growth mindset. In the interview, Will's brother George talks about dealing with lineups in Hawaii and wind-foiling. He  explains why he gets more flow from wind-foiling instead of surfing. At the end of an interview, they talk about being creative and authentic despite other people's opinions.
 After the talk, Will and Liam give their feedback on the interview and talk about the differences between surfing in England and Hawai. They talk about negativity bias, being happy with what you have, and choosing an authentic path. Will quotes Eddie Jones on life, and Liam shares his Eddie Jones story. In the Surf Media Insights segment, they talk about Sasha from Zero Ego Board Reviews  https://www.instagram.com/zero_ego_board_reviews/ and the benefits of recording surf sessions for faster improvement.
If you want to follow us you'll find us on our website  https://www.themindfulsurfer.com/ ,Facebook https://www.facebook.com/willfosterhappinesscoach/ and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themindfulsurfer/  
Stay tuned for next episode of The Mindful Surfer Podcast, new episodes coming out every Wednesday!

Ep. 13 | How to Stay Calm When People Get in The Way of Your Surfing

In episode 13 of The Mindful Surfer Podcast Will and Liam are talking about how to stay calm when people get in the way of your surfing. They start their conversation with discussion over people outside of  the ocean, and the impact of family on surfing. Liam talks about recognizing your perception of the opinion other people may have about you. They talk about people from work affecting your surfing, and  mention  Wills book "Filling the Happiness Gap." Will recommends playing ping-pong for achieving flow and talks about the book "Bounce" by Matthew Syed. The close first segment by discussing how  judgment from other people is blocking your surfing.
In segment 2 they talk about dealing with People in the ocean. They discuss dealing with crowds and locals, and talk about the movie "Point Break." They close the episode by talking about being competitive in surfing, and recommending Shawn Achor's book "The Happiness Advantage."
If you want to follow us you'll find us on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/willfosterhappinesscoach/ and Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/themindfulsurfer/ 
Stay tuned for next episode of The Mindful Surfer Podcast, new episodes coming out every Wednesday!