No one decides to wake up one day, walk across Antarctica, or leave their bohemian parents and join the Navy Seals. Or any number of crazy, amazing things that people do. These aren’t the dreams most kids have. And yet, fascinating people have done them. How? Why?
HawkeTalk is a podcast all about the origin stories of the most interesting people in the world. Today, you know our guests are famous athletes, authors, and entrepreneurs, but there’s so much more to the story. How did they navigate upbringings that seem so far from what they eventually became? What pivotal moments steered them in a new and fascinating direction forever?
Buckle up: Everyone loves a good origin story.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
No one decides to wake up one day, walk across Antarctica, or leave their bohemian parents and join the Navy Seals. Or any number of crazy, amazing things that people do. These aren’t the dreams most kids have. And yet, fascinating people have done them. How? Why?
HawkeTalk is a podcast all about the origin stories of the most interesting people in the world. Today, you know our guests are famous athletes, authors, and entrepreneurs, but there’s so much more to the story. How did they navigate upbringings that seem so far from what they eventually became? What pivotal moments steered them in a new and fascinating direction forever?
Buckle up: Everyone loves a good origin story.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of Hawke Talk, I sit down with legendary waterman Laird Hamilton to dive into his extraordinary life story from being pushed into waves at age two in Hawaii to pioneering the biggest breakthroughs in surfing history.
Laird opens up about growing up on some of the most dangerous beaches in the world, the influence of his single mother and stepfather, and the relentless drive that kept him chasing the ocean day after day. He shares the behind-the-scenes of breaking barriers in big-wave surfing from inventing tow-in surfing to riding Tahiti’s “Millennium Wave” that redefined what was possible.
We explore the evolution of his career beyond traditional surfing: windsurfing, hydrofoiling, modeling, and entrepreneurship, all while holding true to his philosophy that persistence, curiosity, and loving what you do are the keys to a life well-lived.
Through near-death wipeouts, industry skepticism, and reinventing equipment to keep up with nature’s power, Laird’s story is a testament to relentless pursuit, faith in the unknown, and never letting your memories outgrow your dreams.
In this episode:
Hawke Media
About Our Guest
Laird Hamilton is a world-renowned big-wave surfer, innovator, and pioneer of modern-day surfing. Born in San Francisco and raised on Hawaii’s North Shore, he grew up on the world’s heaviest waves and went on to redefine the boundaries of ocean sports.
Credited with inventing tow-in surfing, advancing hydrofoiling, and tackling some of the largest waves ever ridden, Laird has built a career on pushing limits and embracing fear as fuel. Beyond the ocean, he has modeled, acted, and co-founded companies like Laird Superfood, bringing his passion for health and performance to a global audience.
For Laird, surfing is more than a sport; it’s a lifelong pursuit of flow, innovation, and respect for the ocean.
Laird Hamilton
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.