Laird Hamilton Sees Life As Art

Legendary master of the big wave. Waterman god and sun-kissed global icon. Today one of the world’s greatest living athletes drops a master class on the value of pursuing adventure and embracing life as a work of art. Meet Laird Hamilton. Most are well-versed in the lore of today’s guest as perhaps the world’s greatest big wave surfer. Under-appreciated is his impact and legacy as a pioneer of crossover board sports that include tow-in surfing, stand-up paddle boarding and the more recent hydrofoil boarding explosion — passions that have earned Laird the title as surfing’s biggest innovator. An icon of fitness, longevity and well-being who has transcended the sport that made him famous, Laird and his wife Gabby Reece are the founders of Extreme Performance Training (XPT) — a unique fitness training and lifestyle program that includes dynamic water workouts, performance breathing, high-intensity and endurance training and more. He is also the founder of Laird Superfood, a purveyor of high-quality functional blends, proteins, coffee beans, snacks and more. Ubiquitous on grocery store shelves across the country, the company recently enjoyed a successful public offering. Profiled in every major media outlet across the globe, Laird has been featured in several films, including Riding Giants, an exquisite exploration of the history and art of big wave surfing. Finally, he is the author two books: Force of Nature, and his more recent New York Times bestseller, Liferider — both inspiring reads for anyone looking to elevate themselves beyond the ordinary to do extraordinary things. This is a conversation is about the internal Laird. What propels the relentless pursuit of adventure. His relationship with nature’s most intimidating elements. And how his fulfillment derives not from external validation but rather from competition with self — and accomplishing what even he questions possible. We explore his unique and always evolving training methods. His entrepreneurial journey. Marriage. Parenting girls. And turmeric. But the heart of this exchange is a deconstruction of fear. The wisdom gleaned from gliding on the edge of disaster. And why it is crucial to always seek out that which scares you most. Ask Laird and he’ll be quick to caution that we’re over-insulated from nature’s majesty. In turn, our intuitions have been muted. So, more than anything, this is a call to reconnect with that which makes us innately human — to constantly push beyond our limits, seek out fear, and ultimately, embrace our lives as an evolving and precious work of art. Not surprisingly, I found Laird to be both humble and wise — a function of hyper-connectedness to both self and the outdoors. But I was also delighted to discover a human with an endearing and beautiful child-like wonder — a trait we could all benefit from cultivating more. The visually inclined can watch our exchange on YouTube. And as always, the podcast streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. I loved this experience. May it leave you seeking to more courageously explore yourself and the world that surrounds you. Peace + Plants, Listen, Watch & Subscribe Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts Thanks to this week’s sponsors Daily Harvest: Daily Harvest makes it easy to eat more fruits and vegetables with thoughtfully sourced, chef-crafted foods that are ready in five minutes or less. Go to dailyharvest.com and enter promo code richroll to get $25 off your first box. Native: Safe, effective protection against odor & wetness. For both men & women, Native is deodorant that isn’t a chemistry experiment–no aluminum, parabens, phthalates or talc. Visit nativedeo.com/roll or use promo code roll at checkout, and get 20% off your first order. Outerknown: Founded by pro-surfer Kelly Slater, Outerknown creates high quality, sustainably produced, and great looking men’s and women’s clothes, ethically manufactured in the world’s cleanest solar-powered factory. When you’re ready to amp up your wardrobe with awesome sustainable duds, go to outerknown.com and enter my code ROLL at checkout to get 25% off your full-price order. Theragun: With an OLED screen, personalized Theragun app, and the quiet and power you need, there is no substitute for the Theragun Gen 4, starting at only $199. Experience the percussive therapy device that’s unlike anything you’ve ever felt at Theragun.com/RICHROLL For a complete list of all RRP sponsors, vanity URLs & discount codes, visit Our Sponsors. SHOW NOTES:Connect with Laird: Website | Instagram | Twitter | FacebookBook: Liferider: Heart, Body, Soul, and Life Beyond the OceanBook: Force of Nature: Mind, Body, Soul, And, of Course, SurfingLaird Superfood: AboutXPT Life: Extreme Performance TrainingIMBD: Riding GiantsSports Illustrated: Laird Hamilton: Surfing’s Wild Man of a Certain AgeThe Guardian: Laird Hamilton’s age-busting 10-point plan to supercharge your bodyDMARGE: Big Wave Surfing Legend Laird Hamilton’s ‘Interminable’ WorkoutStab Magazine: What (Laird Hamilton) Thinks About Big Wave SurfingThe Inertia: Watch Laird Hamilton and Crew Foil Surfing at Giant NazaréSurfer Today: Laird Hamilton went foil surfing at NazaréTech Crunch: Everybody is racing to an IPO — even Laird Hamilton’s young ‘superfood’ companyThe Beet: Laird Hamilton’s Superfood Creamers Will Help You Focus Better I'm proud to announce my new book 'Voicing Change'. To learn more & pre-order now, visit, richroll.com/vc HOW CAN I SUPPORT THE PODCAST? Tell Your Friends & Share Online! Subscribe & Review: Please make sure to review, share comments and subscribe to the show on the various platforms (Apple Podcasts, YouTube & Spotify). This helps tremendously! Patronize Our Sponsors: Supporting the companies that support the show! For a complete list of all RRP sponsors and their respective vanity URLs and discount codes, click the 'Sponsors' tab in the 'Shop' menu. Spread The Word: Help grow our reach by sharing your enthusiasm for the podcast and/or your favorite episodes by posting about it on social media. Thank The Team: I do not do this alone. Send your love to Jason Camiolo for production, audio engineering and show notes; Margo Lubin and Blake Curtis for video, editing and graphics; portraits by Ali Rogers; and theme music by Tyler Piatt. Trapper Piatt & Hari Mathis. Amazon Disclosure: Books and products denoted with an asterisk are hyperlinked to the Amazon affiliate program. 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