#16 Big Wave Surfing, family and facing fear with Matt Bromley

In this conversation, Matt shares his journey from a young surfer to a big wave surfer, discussing the challenges and fears he faces in the water. He emphasizes the importance of preparation, visualization, and self-talk in managing fear. Matt also highlights the role of faith and family support in his life, illustrating how these elements contribute to his success as a surfer. Through personal stories, he conveys valuable lessons about resilience, courage, and finding purpose in the face of adversity. In this conversation, Pierre du Plessis and Matt discuss the significance of preparation in overcoming fear, the power of visualization in training for big wave surfing, and the importance of courage and trust in taking leaps of faith. They explore how embracing chaos can lead to personal growth, the role of curiosity in relationships, and the challenges of building rapport with teenagers. Matt shares valuable lessons from fatherhood and his aspirations in surfing, while also providing practical tips for beginners.

Chapters
00:00 Cold Water Adventures and Surfing with Family
03:01 The Journey to Big Wave Surfing
06:02 Understanding Big Waves and Their Dangers
09:01 From Childhood to Big Wave Surfer
12:03 Facing Fear and Building a Toolbox
14:49 Mindset and Self-Talk in Surfing
17:59 Faith and Purpose in Big Wave Surfing
21:01 The Night Before Jaws: A Personal Story
23:46 Balancing Family Life and Surfing
29:48 Training and Preparation for Big Waves
33:10 Lessons for Life: Riding the Waves of Opportunity
40:12 The Importance of Preparation in Facing Fear
43:37 Visualizing Success: Training for Big Waves
45:01 Courage and the Leap of Faith
49:21 The Role of Trust in Bravery
50:49 Embracing Chaos for Growth
52:34 Curiosity and Control in Relationships
56:00 Building Rapport with Teens
60:58 Lessons from Fatherhood and Role Models
64:03 Future Aspirations in Surfing
66:11 Surfing Tips for Beginners

Links & Resources

Matt Bromley

Website:
https://www.mattbromleysurf.com/

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/mattbromleysurf/

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@mattbromleysurf

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/mattbromleysurf

Lekker Network:
https://lekker.network/

Huberman Lab — Deliberate Cold Exposure for Health and Performance:
https://www.hubermanlab.com/episode/using-deliberate-cold-exposure-for-health-and-performance

Alex Honnold:
https://www.alexhonnold.com/

Søren Kierkegaard — Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy:
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/kierkegaard/

Gabor Maté — Compassionate Inquiry:
https://drgabormate.com/compassionate-inquiry/

Compassionate Inquiry:
https://compassionateinquiry.com/en/

Cape Town surfing / Dungeons:
https://www.capetown.travel/top-surf-spots-in-cape-town/

Table Mountain National Park — water sports and surfing:
https://www.sanparks.org/parks/table-mountain/what-to-do/activities/water-sports