Hometown: Atascadero, California
Instagram: @igotnostrings
Tell us a little bit about yourself:
My life has been a journey that is for sure… Traveling and learning how other people live, as well as looking at my life and who I am. When I was 12 years old I survived a rare life-threatening blood disease that transformed the whole way I looked at the world. It was a complete miracle I survived. I was given a second chance; after that I knew my life would be different and I couldn't live the same way. I wanted to help people and make a true difference in this world. Surfing and helping others have always been my biggest passions. I surfed competitively for quite sometime, and still do, but that is not my main focus in life anymore. I realized, as I traveled to all these places to surf, that the communities I visited were in way worse living circumstances than mine, and all I did was surf and leave. After a while I realized there must be more to traveling than getting what I wanted and leaving. So now when we travel, I try to give back to others what God has blessed me with and help them to see the great worth they have. One project we have devoted the past couple years to is called "Time Well Spent Documentary" that explores the question, "Does your past define your future?" - something I am really stoked to share with you all soon!
What is your favorite place to visit?
I love Peru and Chile, but if there is a place that stuck with me the most, it is Micronesia. There is something about sailing to islands and experiencing different cultures that are so isolated from the rest of the world.
Share a memorable time when you gave:
Just recently, on our trip for the documentary, we were able to build a house for a family in need in Panama. One of the boys we took on the trip had been homeless for most of his life, couch hopping and sleeping in the car with his family. He had never been able to give back to someone like this, and so it was truly incredible to see how it changed him. He was able to hand over the keys to this family’s new house and it was a super special moment for him and for all of us. I was definitely crying like a little baby in the corner. Ha.
One random fact about yourself:
Random... hmmm... When I get nervous and I don't know what to talk about in a conversation I will most likely talk about pooping. Yes, it does make everything a lot more uncomfortable.