Confessions of a Surf Lady | The First Women's Surfing Podcast™

What if the thing you were seeking all along was right in your own backyard?

Elaine Abonal was an exchange student in Florida when she first saw surfing—and something inside her lit up. But it wasn’t until she returned to the Philippines and realized there were waves in her own country that everything changed.

In this episode of Confessions of a Surf Lady: The First Women’s Surfing Podcast™, Elaine shares how her surf journey started...

What does it take to perform at the highest level—and still enjoy surfing for yourself? Lakey Peterson has competed on the world stage for over a decade, but the journey hasn’t always been smooth—especially when expectations are high and results don’t go your way.

In this episode of Confessions of a Surf Lady: The First Women’s Surfing Podcast™, Lakey opens up about what it’s really like to chase progression, navigate fear, and stil...

Surfing without a leash isn’t about looking cool—it’s about control, awareness, and knowing when you’re ready. This episode is a reflection on skill progression, self-trust, and the invisible steps it takes to surf leashless with intention.

In this episode of Confessions of a Surf Lady: The First Women’s Surfing Podcast™, I share why and when I choose to surf without a leash, the mistakes I made early on, and the checklist I’d recom...

What if your 'summer body' wasn’t something to fix—but something to fuel your surf stoke? If you're tired of seeing summer framed as a time to shrink yourself, this episode of Confessions of a Surf Lady: The First Women’s Surfing Podcast™ is your permission slip to redefine what it means to feel good in your body—on land and in the lineup.

In this raw, unfiltered conversation, Surf Société Member Danyelle Carpenter an...

Welcome to the very first episode of Surf Check, a casual, biweekly mini-series keeping you in the loop on all things Surf Société! Join host Laura Day for quick updates, surf reflections, and insights into what's happening inside our women’s surf community.

In this episode:

• 🌊 Surf Société Q2 theme: Finding Flow
  We're diving deep into connecting turns, exploring bottom turns, top turns, and cutbacks to find gracef...

Why is it so fucking hard to get better at surfing? Unlike other sports, you don’t get unlimited reps. Every wave is different, every session is unpredictable, and by the time you realize you wanted to do a turn or a cross-step—the moment is already gone.

But what if you could train your surfing without even getting in the water? That’s where visualization comes in. In this episode of Confessions of a Surf Lady: The First Women’s Su...

Did you know you could meditate your way to better surfing? Yes, you heard that right! You can improve your surfing without even touching the water.

In this episode, you'll meet Florida Surfer and Surf Société Member Joann Bolton. This incredible surf lady participated in The Surf Société's 21-day visualization challenge and wrote her custom visualization around one goal: to win her first competition.

After 21 days, Joann r...

What happens when an injury keeps you out of the water for weeks—or even months? If you’ve ever been sidelined from surfing, you know how frustrating it can be, both physically and mentally. When I injured my knee in Baja, my biggest fear wasn’t just missing surf—it was wondering if I’d ever feel 100% again.

Enter Dr. Alexis Piarulli, chiropractor and movement specialist, who not only helped me rehab my injury but also shifted my mi...

Have you ever thought, I should be better by now? You’ve been surfing for a while, putting in the time, watching YouTube tutorials, even getting in the water more—but something’s just not clicking. You feel stuck, and no matter how much effort you put in, you’re not progressing the way you want.

I know that frustration because I’ve been there too. Surfing is unlike any other sport—you don’t get endless reps, the conditions are alway...

What if your work schedule fit around surfing? Even better—what if every surf session made you better at your job? When Lachlan Campbell left Australia and landed in Europe, he didn’t just want a job—he wanted a life that revolved around the swell.

With no formal education, training, or set plan, Lachlan jumped into freelancing and figured it out as he went. Now, as The Surfing Copywriter, he helps surf brands tell their stories in ...

Have you ever felt stuck in your surfing—not because of your ability, but because of something in your head? Maybe it’s fear, uncertainty in the lineup, or frustration from not progressing the way you want.

In this episode of Confessions of a Surf Lady: The First Women’s Surfing Podcast™, I break down three key mental blocks that could be holding you back from becoming a better surfer—and what you can do about them. We’re talking ab...

What if reconnecting with your feminine intuition could change the way you surf—and the way you live? What if aging, something that is so often feared, was seen as an opportunity to gather wisdom, redefine beauty, and deepen your connection to yourself and the ocean?

This week, I’m stoked to welcome back Leah Donatiello—empowerment mentor, Surf Société Surf Guide, and founder of Reconnect Retreats. You might remember Leah from her e...

What started as a mic under a blanket and a dream to tell authentic women’s surfing stories has grown into a thriving podcast and global community. This week, we’re celebrating 5 incredible years of Confessions of a Surf Lady: The First Women’s Surfing Podcast™.

In this special episode, I’m reflecting on how far we’ve come—from launching in 2020 to more than 60 episodes, 50,000 downloads, and the creation of The Surf Société, a spac...

"What would 10-year-old me do?” That exact question led Kim Merrikin, founder of @movefatgirl, to reconnect with the hobbies she’d tucked away as a young girl. After feeling fat-shamed out of sports, Kim ignored her interest in physical activities for decades, believing there wasn’t a place for her in these spaces. But today, she's rewriting that story—pursuing surfing, hockey, and advocating for inclusivity in sports des...

Do you ever tell yourself, “I’m just grateful to be out here,” when deep down, you’re frustrated by how your sessions are going? That was me—not catching as many waves as I wanted, quietly comparing myself to others in the lineup, and telling myself it was okay to just enjoy the sunshine. But the truth was, I wanted more.

In this episode, I’m sharing the moment I realized my “grateful” mindset was actually holding me back, the advic...

After spending over 30 years chasing waves and documenting epic California swells, Mattson Culbert—a surfer, photographer, and filmmaker—faced one of the biggest challenges of his life: a thyroid cancer diagnosis. 🌊 But instead of letting it hold him back, Mattson embraced vulnerability, rediscovered gratitude, and deepened his connection to the ocean.

To me, though, he’s more than just a talented photographer and lifelong surfer—h...

After struggling to find a surf hat that checked all the boxes—functional, stylish, and secure—Emily Li, a surfer and entrepreneur, decided to create her own. The result? Peach Surf Hats, a brand that encourages surfers to protect their skin and look good good while doing it.

In this episode of Confessions of a Surf Lady: The First Women's Surfing Podcast™, Emily shares her story of stepping away from the tech world to start a ...

Ever thought about what’s in your hair care and how it impacts the ocean you surf in? This episode with Kate Assaraf, founder of Dipalready.com, is a must-listen for anyone who loves beauty products and cares about the ocean and sustainability. Kate shares the story behind Dip’s eco-friendly body and hair oil—a “perfume with benefits” that’s as good for your skin as it is for the planet. Get ready to rethink the products you use da...

Surfing is hard—like, f*cking hard. It isn’t just a sport; it’s a journey of highs, lows, and everything in between. In this episode, we talk about how to cultivate a flexible mindset to keep your stoke alive—even on those tough days when nothing seems to be going right.

I share a personal story from a recent surf trip to Baja where I faced unexpected mental challenges in the water. Instead of letting frustration take over, I tapped...