Second Breakfast with Surf With Amigas

In this unfiltered episode, SWA founders Holly Beck and Jackie George pull back the curtain on all things Surf With Amigas. They dive into the most frequently asked questions from the Amiga community, share some of their wildest behind-the-scenes stories, reflect on how far SWA has come, and offer insight into some of their biggest challenges as female business owners. From retreat magic and unexpected adventures to bold visions for the future, this candid convo is equal parts nostalgic, inspiring, and real.

Connect with us at https://surfwithamigas.com/ or @surfwithamigas.

Episodes produced and edited...

Holly and amiga, Nancy, chat about learning to surf later in life, the importance of community and support among women surfers, and the challenges and joys of aging while staying active. Nancy shares her story of learning to surf at 55, finding her tribe of adventurous women through the surfing group Salt Water Divas, and how she's learned to embrace her body as it changes with age.

Connect with us at https://surfwithamigas.com/ or @surfwithamigas.

Episodes produced and edited by Emma Roggenkamp.

In this conversation, SurfAid rep Montana Denton shares how SurfAid supports remote coastal communities and promotes sustainable surf tourism. She discusses what it means to be a good steward of the places we surf, highlighting the balance between tourism, conservation, and local well-being. We chat about SurfAid’s community-driven programs, from improving health and nutrition to fostering resilience through initiatives like community farming and snail breeding for protein! We also explore Surf With Amigas' efforts to give back through community partnerships at our locations, like Rote in Indonesia. Overall we reflect on the challenges and opportunities in responsible travel an...

In this conversation, Beany, podcast producer and SWA instructor, shares her experience as an environmental advocate supported by Surf with Amigas. She recently attended the United Nations Plastic Pollution Treaty Negotiations in Busan, South Korea, where delegates from 175 countries sought to find a solution to reducing global plastic pollution. We discuss her experience there and some major takeaways from the event, including the challenges of navigating environmental issues, the bureaucracy of large-scale legislative change, and greenwashing. Finally, we emphasize the need for hope, collaboration, and clear communication when moving forward with these issues. We challenge listeners to think about...

Would you still surf if you were 39 weeks pregnant? Former SWA Instructor, Hannah, would, and she would do it in a 5/4 wetsuit! In this conversation we explore the intersection of surfing, pregnancy, and motherhood. Holly and Hannah discuss surfing while pregnant, and the impact of motherhood on our personal identity and mental health. Hannah also shares about her life in Humboldt as a small business owner and farmer. This episode is all about building a life that gives you purpose, some realities of pregnancy and postpartum, and all the resilience and adaptability required in surfing and building a family.<...

In this episode, we dive into one of the most debilitating forms of self-doubt and how to overcome it: imposter syndrome. Around 75% of women say they suffer from imposter syndrome, yet not many of us actually talk about it. Holly and amiga, Kristin, chat about how imposter syndrome can rear its ugly head, both in our professional lives and in surfing. We reflect on how women’s roles have evolved generationally, the impact of societal expectations, and the importance of self-awareness. Kristin also shares her personal journey of overcoming self-doubt and re-evaluating her surf goals after a particularly difficult ex...

Today we chat with surfer and shaper Ashley Lloyd, who grew up immersed in Malibu's male dominated surf culture. She shares her journey of breaking into the shaping industry and her collaborations with some of surfing's most influential figures. As she spent much of her life in California's competitive longboarding scene, she continues to draw inspiration from traditional single-fin logs while pushing boundaries in surfboard building. We explore the process of creating custom orders, how new boards can evolve your surfing, the spiritual and artistic dimensions of surfing and shaping, as well as mindfulness and connection with the sport.<...

What should you do when surfing isn't fun? Can you end a session by paddling in to the beach without chasing "just one more"? How can visualization enhance your surfing experience? We explore these questions and more in today's episode with Hilary Achauer, amiga, journalist and aspiring author. We chat about her recently published article with Surfline that discusses how to navigate the emotional challenges that can arise when surfing, be it personal frustration or other factors. We also touch on the parallels between writing, editing, and surfing, share insights on dealing with rejection, and consider how to strike...

Today we explore themes of self-worth, boundaries, and generational resilience while chatting with 23 year old director, Meg Wriggles. Her documentary, White Horses, explores the intersection of horseback riding, surfing, and some of the pressures professional sports players face. We dive into the process of making films and documentaries, the importance of self-talk and emotional regulation, and how we can teach resilience intergenerationally to encourage us to embrace discomfort and understanding its role in personal growth.

To watch Meg's film, White Horses, click here, or check her out on Instagram @megwriggles and @thefoundryfilms.

Connect with us...

Brandy White shares her journey from a life centered around surfing in Puerto Escondido in the 90's as one of the only women in the lineup, building a business, and living through the war on drugs in Mexico, to eventually relocating to San Diego with her kids. She recounts her love story with Joe, her husband, and the life and community they created in Puerto when it was just a sleepy surf town. Brandy discusses the evolution of her brand, MexPipe, and her efforts to promote women's surfing through competitions. Overall, this chat delves into the importance of community...

In this engaging conversation, we cover a range of topics with our guest, Shelby Stanger -- author, podcast host, and full-time adventurer. We delve into Shelby's interesting career, from surf instructor to international journalist to sports show host to freelance writer, and more. Shelby shares her journey of transitioning from a stable job to pursuing her passion for storytelling and journalism. She discusses the challenges of mental health, the importance of financial planning, and the value of testing out new career paths before making a leap. Most importantly, this conversation highlights the importance of stepping outside of your comfort...

In this conversation, Amy Cobb shares her incredible journey of living aboard a sailboat with her five children and husband. She reflects on her past as a model and surfer, her experience working for Playboy, and the transition to motherhood, commercial fishing and a life at sea. This chat highlights the challenges and joys of family life on the water, the importance of pursuing dreams, and the lessons learned along the way. Amy also dives into the unique educational opportunities for her children, the financial realities of this lifestyle, and navigating parenting aboard a sailboat.

To see...

Rachel Lonergan shares her story of a freak accident which resulted in the loss of her husband while on a surf trip in Indonesia. She talks about their love for surfing and their travels to remote surf spots around the world. Rachel describes the panic and uncertainty she felt when her husband went missing in the water and the search efforts that followed. She discusses the challenges of navigating a different culture and dealing with the press and authorities during the search. Rachel discusses her coping mechanisms, including therapy, exercise, and journaling, and emphasizes the importance of finding a...

In this conversation, Holly and SWA instructors Tori and Reesie discuss their commitment to community engagement in Central America, particularly through Tori and Reesie's newly founded non profit, Amigos Animal Rescue. They share their personal stories of how they became involved in animal rescue, local's cultural perspectives on pets, and the challenges of animal welfare in a developing country. This chat highlights their initiatives, including spay and neuter clinics, education programs, and women's empowerment through sports. They also talk about their fundraising efforts and the importance of local support in their mission to improve the lives of both animals...

This conversation explores the intersection of surfing, women's empowerment, and bodily autonomy, focusing on the initiatives of 'She's On Edge' in Charleston, South Carolina. She's On Edge is a Charleston-based women’s surf and skate collective that hosts meetups and special events for ladies of all ages and skill levels. Their mission is to foster judgement-free spaces for women to grow, find support, and have fun within the South Carolina surf and skate community. Founders Liz and Nadia discuss the importance of creating safe spaces for women in surfing, the impact of the patriarchy on both men and women, an...

Amiga, MD and self-proclaimed gypsy witch doctor, Irene, grew in Cuernavaca, Mexico, and started surfing later in life when she realized it helped her heal physically and emotionally. This encouraged her to pursue alternative healing modalities such as Chinese medicine and shamanism after studying traditional western medicine. Irene believes in the integration of Western and Eastern medicine, as well as the spiritual aspect of healing. She focuses on women's health and empowerment, helping women reconnect with their feminine energy. In this episode we hear about Irene's personal surf story and the lessons she learned from a surfing accident, as...

Ana Rahlves, amiga and surfer from Colombia, shares her experience of growing up in Colombia, relocating to California and learning to surf, and her experience involved in the Colombian surfing community. Ana talks about growing up in Colombia during the civil war and the impact it had on her perception of normalcy, as well as the current situation in Colombia and misperceptions regarding tourism. Ana supports local kids in a small surf town on the Pacific coast of Colombia, and is attempting to promote surfing in the country to provide new opportunity for residents. Ana also discusses her swimwear...

Chloe Piester, the social media manager for Surf With Amigas, shares her journey from being an amiga on a retreat to becoming a surf instructor and later pioneering SWA's online marketing techniques. In this episode we chat about Chloe's recent trip to Indonesia and how it improved her surfing confidence, we reflect on her early days with Surf With Amigas and the sense of community she found living with other instructors, and also learn about her experience living in Nicaragua during COVID-19 and the strong surf culture in the area. This episode teaches us about grabbing life by the...

Lena, the founder of Coldwater Sirens, shares her experience of surfing in Denmark and creating inclusivity in the surf community. Coldwater Sirens is an organization that aims to create an inclusive and empowering surf community through surf camps and coaching. In this episode we chat about cold water surfing and its benefits, Lena's story and experiences within surf camps, and how to build resilience in surfing. 

Connect with us at https://surfwithamigas.com/ or @surfwithamigas.

Episodes produced and edited by Emma Roggenkamp.

In this conversation, Holly and Danielle Zirk discuss motherhood, surfing, and the challenges faced by mothers in the surf industry. Danielle shares her journey of becoming a mother, how she managed without having had a mom herself, and her passion for art and what it represents. We also share advice for those with complicated relationships with their mothers, and emphasize the importance of connecting with oneself and trusting one's instincts.

Connect with us at https://surfwithamigas.com/ or @surfwithamigas.

Episodes produced and edited by Emma Roggenkamp.

Serena Brooke, a former professional surfer, discusses her transition from pro surfer to mom life and reflects on the early days of women's pro surfing. She shares her journey of getting into surfing, becoming a pro surfer, and the camaraderie and adventures that she experienced on tour. We dive into the history of women's surfing and compare the tour now to how it was in the mid to late nineties, without the scrutiny of social media. We also chat about life transitions, being a mom and how it affects our priorities and perspective of surfing. 

Connect with u...

In today's conversation, Holly and former pro surfer Alana Brennan discuss their experiences as female surfers and the challenges they faced in the industry. They chat about femininity and sex appeal in surfing and how it affected their careers, as well as the changing landscape of the sport. Alana shares her journey from growing up in Hawaii to becoming sponsored by Billabong and the pressure to balance being an athlete and model while also navigating her personal relationships. Overall, the conversation highlights the evolution of women's surfing, the importance of acceptance, representation and embracing struggle and growth. 

C...

Maddie Stone, a cybersecurity researcher and hacker, discusses her surf journey, her experience working in the tech industry,  and her recent decision to relocate to Central America. We chat about the culture in both tech and surfing, stereotypes, the challenges Maddie faced as someone who identifies as a plus-size female, and how she strived to embrace her own style and identity. Maddie's story emphasizes the importance of finding a supportive community, standing up for yourself, embracing your idiosyncrasies and working hard. 

Connect with us at https://surfwithamigas.com/ or @surfwithamigas.

Episodes produced and ed...

Chelsea, a single mom and avid traveler, shares her experiences of traveling with her kids and surfing around the world. She started documenting her family adventures after taking a trip to South Africa with her baby and toddler. Even after her divorce, Chelsea and her ex-husband continued to travel with their kids and found ways to make it work. Our chat emphasizes the importance of not letting the challenges of single parenthood stop you from living a life of adventure. We discuss the struggles of balancing surfing and parenting, travel stories with kids, and offer tips for other parents...

Today we chat with Molls and Grace from With It Girl, a platform that aims to empower and unite women in action sports and creative cultures. It was originally founded in 1996 by Molls, starting as a zine and later becoming an online platform, offering free access to content and mentoring opportunities. However,  in the early 2000s it faced challenges and eventually went dormant for almost 20 years. This conversation explores creating conscientious content, internet marketing, the importance of creating communal spaces, and even delves into the potential of virtual reality and how it will affect our lives. Most importantly, we e...

Today's conversation with clinical social worker Karen Lane covers various topics including self-empathy, nonviolent communication, and how surfing can be a medium for understanding ourselves and our communication practices. Karen shares her surfing story and highlights the importance of understanding and meeting our own needs. We chat about various exercises used to explore different ways of thinking about triggering situations. Our reactions can often be compartmentalized into four categories: blaming others, blaming oneself, empathizing with others, and empathizing with oneself. By noticing our thoughts and emotions, we can create positive thought patterns that lead to deeper self-understanding and compassion...

Today we chat with talk to Alex White, a skateboarder, brand consultant, media and content producer and global advocate for women’s/non-binary and queer folks. We chat about her story and how she got into the sport in the 90s, social differences between pro skateboarding and surfing, style changes throughout the years, how skating can help your surfing and visa versa, and finally the challenges faced by women and LGBTQ+ individuals in the sport. We also touch on reframing sponsorship and contests in the surf and skate worlds, and offer some tips for those interested in getting into sk...

Gaby Scott, a filmmaker and director, shares her journey into surfing and filmmaking. Gaby discusses her passion for capturing the essence of surfing (specifically big wave surfing) through her films, focusing on local stories and the experiences of women in ocean communities. She emphasizes the importance of visibility and representation of female athletes in media and hopes to contribute to creating more equality in the industry. We also chat more about Gaby's upcoming film projects, which includes a big wave surfing documentary and cold water swimming film. 

Connect with us at https://surfwithamigas.com/ or @surfwithamigas.

In the second installment of our mini series, Cold Water, Big Waves, we chat with Bianca Valenti. Big wave surfer Bianca Valenti believes that growth and fun lives within challenges; in her case the fun involves careening down the face of a massive wave. In this episode we chat about embracing fear, facing challenges head-on, and the importance of a positive mindset, both in life and surfing. We dive into wipeout stories, Bianca's inspiration for surfing big waves, entrepreneurship, and the women's fight for equality in surfing. Whether you're a big wave surfer or not, Bianca shares stories we...

In this episode we chat with Sachi Cunningham, an award winning filmmaker, water surf photographer, and Associate Professor of Journalism at San Francisco State University. Her work has been featured in global brand campaigns and for outlets including the NY Times and the Today Show. 

In this episode, Sachi discusses her journey in the world of surf photography, her love for big waves, the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated industry, and her approach to shooting in big surf. Sachi reflects on the changing landscape of water photography with the rise of social media. S...

Today we get to chat with Meg Roh, who at age 12 made a commitment to surf every day for 8 years. As a sponsored surfer and model for much of her young adult life, Meg has a wealth of adventures under her belt. From surf trips in California and Central America, to Europe, Indonesia and beyond, Meg offers a unique perspective into the surf industry and questions the intentions of large brands. In this episode we chat about what it was like to accomplish her dream of surfing for Roxy, surf travel,  the realities of surf sponsorships, inclusivity in surf b...

We're kicking off season two with a deeper introduction to our host, Holly Beck. We're joined by Natalie Small, a licensed marriage and family therapist and founder of the Groundswell Community Project. Listen as the two chat about Holly's childhood roots, her evolving surf journey, how she found herself through the sport, what led her to pursue a life that revolves around waves in Central America, and finally how she's looking to grow, personally and professionally. 

Connect with us at https://surfwithamigas.com/ or @surfwithamigas.

Episodes produced and edited by Emma Roggenkamp.

It has been (nearly!) a year since we released our first ever episode with Second Breakfast! Time for a recap. In this episode, Holly and SWA surf instructor/podcast producer Beany review our last year on Second Breakfast. Listen to us banter about Holly's recent experience at the Kelly Slater Surf Ranch, some of our favorite highlights from our episodes this past year, and a rehashing of our original intentions in the creation of this platform: a space to connect, promote inclusivity and empowerment, and have challenging conversations. In this episode, we also look forward to topics we're looking...

The WSL, the governing body of pro surfers, has altered the rules about the competition qualifications in the women’s division, following along with the olympic guidelines based on hormone levels. This has led to great controversy, both in and out of the surfing world. Today we chat with Sasha Jane Lowerson, a trans woman who has competed and won both in the men’s and women’s divisions in Australia. We talk about the debates surrounding trans competition in pro surfing, we debunk some misconceptions about gender transition, dive into the challenges of dealing with doctors, gender identity, and th...

Today we chat with Leah Dawson, a style icon in surfing. Leah has lived through incredible growth in women’s surfing, confronting many challenges of her own in the industry while also bringing a unique perspective to the sport. In this episode we learn about how Leah’s philosophy of surfing and style has changed throughout life, different techniques Leah teaches in women’s surfing, and Leah’s goal to promote storytelling, social justice, and different interpretations of what surfing can be. Ultimately, Leah teaches us how we can all enjoy surfing more and relieve ourselves of pressure and expectat...

How can we prioritize our health through food? Lisa Hoopes is a registered dietician, who’s own journey with nutrition stemmed from early difficulties surrounding food and body image. In this episode we chat about inner self dialogue, alternative sailboat living, the science behind metabolic health, and ultimately answer some of your top questions surrounding foods, seed oils, and intermittent fasting.

To sign up for Hoopes Health programs, work 1:1 with Lisa for nutrition coaching,  review customized meal plans, and to learn more about metabolic health and nutrition, go to www.hoopeshealth.com

Or, follow Lisa Ins...

How can we ensure that all surfers are safe in the water? As a Mexican American, Dionne had the idea to start an organization, Wahine Project, to get more underrepresented humans surfing and feeling welcome in the water. Her organization’s goal is to help individuals overcome whatever barriers they may face in order to have ocean access, in turn bolstering our own health and that of our planet. Her organization recently conducted a survey that analyzed violence in the water; it noted that 84% of women have witnessed or experienced violence while surfing. In this episode we chat about ho...

Today we chat with Gina Jurlando, the founder of Yeasty Boys, a fem focused, beginner surf club and community group based in Rockaway Beach, New York. Yeasty Boys was born from the desire to support diverse groups of people in the surfing world, and stand against the intimidation factor that often coincides with the sport. In this episode we discuss allyship, the New York surf scene, creating supportive spaces in surfing, how surf therapy can work in community groups, and giving back to the neighborhoods we live in.

Discover more about the Yeasty Boys here.

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Rachel Gordon, cold water charger and Alaskan surf guide, just became one of the first women to surf in Antarctica. Looking for a lifestyle filled with outdoor adventure, Rachel moved up to Alaska for a summer and after 9 years, she still hasn’t left. In this episode, we chat about how life and surf in Alaska is different, connecting with nature and people, surf boats, thriving in uncomfortable situations, being adrift at sea, and Rachel’s adventure in the uncharted, wild waters off Antarctica. 

Connect with us at https://surfwithamigas.com/ or @surfwithamigas.

Episod...

From competitive swimmer to endurance paddle boarder and now free dive instructor, Morgan has pursued a life full of water-based activities. For 20 years she trained to qualify for the USA olympic swimming team until she realized she needed a major life change, and pivoted to find more freedom. Morgan thrives when she is put her out of her comfort zone. Confronting her fears, in anything she does, is what makes her feel alive and human. In this episode, we chat about the different ways fear manifests, how to trust yourself, how the body reacts to fear, CO2 tolerance training...