Confessions of a Surf Lady | The First Women's Surfing Podcast™ – Détails, épisodes et analyse

What does it take to keep showing up—no matter what life throws your way? Chey’s story will leave you inspired. As a mother, a surfer living with MS, and a woman paddling out in Santa Cruz’s notoriously aggressive lineups, she reminds us that strength isn’t about perfection—it’s about choosing joy, resilience, and community.

In this episode of Confessions of a Surf Lady, The First Women’s Surfing Podcast™, I talk with Chey, a Surf Société member whose journey spans from growing up around lakes in Canada to raising a family that surfs together in Mexico and now living in Santa Cruz. Along the way, she’s navigated health challenges, learned how to read the ocean, and discovered the confidence it takes to hold her ground in one of the world’s most aggressive surf lineups.

Chey’s story is a reminder that surfing is layered, personal, and ever-changing. Through The Surf Société, she’s found not just skills and knowledge, but a supportive community of women who celebrate each other’s wins. From reflecting on tough sessions to choosing joy in the lineup, her perspective will inspire you to keep going, keep learning, and keep protecting your stoke.

Main Themes

• Surfing as a Lifelong Journey
  Chey shares her path from early water experiences in Canada to surf trips in Costa Rica and Mexico, and finally finding home in California.
• Confidence in the Lineup
  From Santa Cruz aggression to run-ins with entitled surfers, Chey explains how she’s learned to protect her energy and hold her ground.
  “You can choose to paddle in—you’re not giving into them, you’re protecting your positive experience.”
• The Power of Community and Knowledge
  Chey describes how Surf Société gave her confidence, ocean knowledge, and a sisterhood where everyone’s progress feels like a shared win.

Show Resources

• 🌊 Join our global women’s surf community — The Surf Société — and start your free 7-day trial today → Join Now
  
  
• Learn more first → Surf Société Overview
  
  
• Follow Laura Day → @confessionsofasurflady
  
  
• Follow Surf Société → @surfsociete
  
  
• 🛍 Shop Surf Société → shop.surfsociete.com
  
  

How to Support the Podcast

1. 💙 Support our sponsors – They help keep this show going.
2. 🛍 Shop Surf Société – Support women-centered surfwear and community.
3. ⭐ Leave a Review – Help more women find us on Apple Podcasts & Spotify.
4. 📲 Share this episode – Send it to a surf sister who needs to hear it.

Send me a Message! Be sure to leave your contact info.

Support the show

Confessions of a Surf Lady, women's surfing podcast, is supported by The Surf Société, our unique digital women's surfing platform where we come together to Learn More. Surf Better. Live Happy. Learn more at Surfsociete.com

What does it feel like to paddle out in your fifties, sixties, or even seventies? For the women of the Sassy Silver Surfers Club, it feels like freedom. It feels like strength. And most of all, it feels like proof that surfing doesn’t have an age limit.

In this episode of Confessions of a Surf Lady, The First Women’s Surfing Podcast™, I’m joined by co-founders Lisa Alfano and Inessa Love, who started surfing later in life and quickly realized how few role models they saw in the lineup. Together, they created the Sassy Silver Surfers—a vibrant community for women 50+ who are showing up with courage, joy, and inspiration.

Through heartfelt confessions from their members, Lisa and Inessa share stories of women who started surfing at 57, became instructors in their fifties, and even returned to the waves at 72. These are stories of resilience, self-discovery, and the wisdom that comes from embracing life fully at every stage.

This is a conversation that will make you laugh, tear up, and walk away believing that your best waves may still be ahead of you.

Main Themes

• Redefining Surfing After 50
  Lisa and Inessa share their personal journeys—one from triathlons, the other from Hawaii—and how they built a thriving community that proves surfing isn’t just for the young.
• Challenging Ageism in Surf Culture
  The women of Sassy Silver Surfers are breaking stereotypes and pushing back against the idea that you’re “too old” to surf. Their stories show how visibility creates change.
• The Power of Community
  From laughter to tears, their group is living proof that women thrive together. Community provides encouragement, role models, and the space to grow at any age.

Guest Resources

• Join Sassy Silver Surfers on Facebook → Sassy Silver Surfers Group
• Instagram: @sassysilversurfers
• Visit Ageless Adventures → https://www.tri2surf.com/about
  
  

Show Resources

• 🌊 Join our global women’s surf community — The Surf Société — and start your free 7-day trial today → Join Now
• Learn more first → Surf Société Overview
• Follow me, Laura Day → @confessionsofasurflady
• Follow Surf Société → @surfsociete
• 🛍 Shop Surf Société → shop.surfsociete.com
  
  

How to Support the Podcast

1. 💙 Support our sponsors – They help keep this show going.
2. 🛍 Shop Surf Société – Support women-centered surfwear and community.
3. ⭐ Leave a Review – Help more women find us on Apple Podcasts & Spotify.
4. 📲 Share this episode – Send it to a surf sister who needs to hear it.

Send me a Message! Be sure to leave your contact info.

Support the show

Confessions of a Surf Lady, women's surfing podcast, is supported by The Surf Société, our unique digital women's surfing platform where we come together to Learn More. Surf Better. Live Happy. Learn more at Surfsociete.com

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 Surfing Podcast™, I’m breaking down how visualization works, the science behind it, and how you can use it to sharpen your skills, make faster decisions in the lineup, and actually land the maneuvers you’ve been struggling with—no matter how often you surf or what kind of waves you have access to.

Inside The Surf Société, we’ve created a structured process for visualization so you can actually apply it to your surfing, with step-by-step guidance from sports mental trainer, Jana Fogaça. If you’re ready to stop feeling stuck and start progressing faster than you thought possible, this episode is for you.

Main Themes

• Why Surfing Progress is So Slow & Frustrating
  “In surfing, you don’t get 100 reps. You’re lucky if you get 10 waves in a session—and every one of them is different.” – Laura Day
• The Science Behind Visualization & Why It Works
  “Your brain doesn’t know the difference between real movement and imagined movement.” – Laura Day
• How to Use Visualization for Surfing Progression
  “If you visualize a movement over and over again, your body will follow through when it’s time.” – Laura Day
• Success Stories: How Surfers Are Using Visualization to Level Up
  “One of our Surf Société members visualized herself winning her first competition—and she did.” – Laura Day
• How The Surf Société Teaches You Structured Visualization
  “We don’t just tell you to visualize—we give you a process to make it work for you.” – Laura Day

Resources

• Join The Surf Société – Learn how to use visualization to improve your surfing with structured guidance inside The Surf Société. Try it free for a week! Join Here.
• Follow Me on Instagram – Say hi and join the conversation at @confessionsofasurflady.
• Watch Our Visualization Workshop – Get access to our sports mental training session with Jana Fogaça inside The Surf Société.

How to Support the Podcast

1. Leave a Review – Help more women surfers find Confessions of a Surf Lady by rating us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
2. Share with a Friend – If this episode resonated with you, send it to a surf sister who might need it.
3. Join The Surf Société – Get expert guidance, live workshops, and a supportive community to take your surfing to the next level.
4. Support Our Sponsors – Thoughtfully chosen brands that support women’s surfing help keep this podcast going.
5. Shop Surf Société – Grab surf-inspired gear and essentials at shop.surfsociete.com.

Send me a Message! Be sure to leave your contact info.

Support the show

Confessions of a Surf Lady, women's surfing podcast, is supported by The Surf Société, our unique digital women's surfing platform where we come together to Learn More. Surf Better. Live Happy. Learn more at Surfsociete.com

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 mindset around healing, movement, and longevity in surfing. In this episode of Confessions of a Surf Lady: The First Women’s Surfing Podcast™, we talk about staying strong, preventing injuries, and overcoming fear after time out of the water. Plus, Alexis shares the small but powerful things you can do to keep surfing for years to come.

Main Themes:

• The Fear of Long-Term Injury in Surfing: "My biggest fear wasn’t just the injury—it was wondering if I’d always have a chronic issue.” – Laura Day
• Healing is Physical, But Also Mental: “Your mindset is the biggest factor in how well you heal.” – Dr. Alexis Piarulli
• How to Surf for Decades Without Breaking Down: “I want to surf when I’m 80. That means taking care of my body now.” – Dr. Alexis Piarulli
• The Power of Community in Surfing & Healing: “Having a support group in the water made all the difference when I paddled back out.” – Laura Day

Resources:

• Follow Dr. Alexis Piarulli – Get surf-specific mobility and rehab tips at @fearlessmovementrehab.
• Watch Alexis’ Workshops in The Surf Société – Learn movement techniques to keep your body strong and injury-free inside The Surf Société.
• Join The Surf Société – Our women's surfing community is here to help you learn more, surf better, and live happy. Try it free for a week! Join Here.

How to Support the Podcast

1. Leave a Review – Help more women surfers find Confessions of a Surf Lady by rating us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
2. Share with a Friend – If this episode resonated with you, send it to a surf sister who might need it.
3. Join The Surf Société – Get expert guidance, live workshops, and a supportive community to take your surfing to the next level.
4. Support Our Sponsors – Thoughtfully chosen brands that support women’s surfing help keep this podcast going.
5. Shop Surf Société – Grab surf-inspired gear and essentials at shop.surfsociete.com.

Send me a Message! Be sure to leave your contact info.

Support the show

Confessions of a Surf Lady, women's surfing podcast, is supported by The Surf Société, our unique digital women's surfing platform where we come together to Learn More. Surf Better. Live Happy. Learn more at Surfsociete.com

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 always changing, and without the right feedback, you might just be reinforcing bad habits. I spent years feeling like I had plateaued, wondering why I wasn’t improving, until I figured out what actually works.

In this episode of Confessions of a Surf Lady: The First Women’s Surfing Podcast™, we talk about why progression in surfing is so difficult, the common mistakes that keep surfers stuck, and what actually makes a difference. Plus, I’ll share how The Surf Société was born out of my own frustration—because I needed a place where I could get real feedback, guidance, and a community to help me progress. If you’re tired of feeling stuck, this episode is for you.

Main Themes

• Why Surfing Progression is So Damn Hard
  “Surfing isn’t like skating or snowboarding. You don’t get unlimited reps. Every session is different, and you can’t just practice the same maneuver 50 times in a row.” – Laura Day
• Why YouTube & Instagram Advice Might Be Making It Worse
  “I’d get so hyped watching a tutorial—then I’d go out, and my wave looked nothing like the perfect, empty lineup in the video.” – Laura Day
• The Myth That Surfing More = Getting Better
  “If you’re just reinforcing the same bad habits, more water time isn’t going to magically fix them.” – Laura Day
• The Reality of In-Person Coaching (And Why It’s Not Always the Answer)
  “I paid $250 for a coaching session, and the conditions were terrible. I left realizing I didn’t even know what I needed to work on.” – Laura Day

Resources

• Join The Surf Société – Get structured learning, expert guidance, and a women’s surf community designed to help you improve. Try it free for a week! Join Here.
• Follow Me on Instagram – Say hi and join the conversation at @confessionsofasurflady.

How to Support the Podcast

1. Leave a Review – Help more women surfers find Confessions of a Surf Lady by rating us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
2. Share with a Friend – If this episode resonated with you, send it to a surf sister who might need it.
3. Join The Surf Société – Get expert guidance, live workshops, and a supportive community to take your surfing to the next level.
4. Support Our Sponsors – Thoughtfully chosen brands that support women’s surfing help keep this podcast going.
5. Shop Surf Société – Grab surf-inspired gear and essentials at shop.surfsociete.com.

Send me a Message! Be sure to leave your contact info.

Support the show

Confessions of a Surf Lady, women's surfing podcast, is supported by The Surf Société, our unique digital women's surfing platform where we come together to Learn More. Surf Better. Live Happy. Learn more at Surfsociete.com

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 a way that feels real, relatable, and deeply connected to the culture. But for Lachlan, it’s more than just marketing—it’s personal. His inspiration comes from everyday moments, lineup conversations, and even unexpected places like history books, always tying it back to the world of surfing.

In this episode of Confessions of a Surf Lady: The First Women’s Surfing Podcast™, we talk about what it takes to design a surf-first lifestyle, the risks and rewards of freelancing, and how surf culture shifts when you move across continents. From growing up on Australia’s wave-rich coastline to navigating the lineups of Portugal, Lachlan’s story proves that if you’re willing to take the leap, you can build a life around what you love, too.

Main Themes:

Freelancing & Surfing: The Perfect Match

• “As a surfer, being a freelancer, I think that lifestyle is just so compatible.” – Lachlan Campbell

Turning Everyday Surf Sessions into Work Inspiration

• “I pull ideas from everywhere—the lineup, a great wave, even history books—and tie them back to surfing.” – Lachlan Campbell​

Building a Career Without a Safety Net

• “I had no formal training, no plan—just the decision to go all in and figure it out.” – Lachlan Campbell​

Moving Abroad & Surfing in a Different Culture

• “You’ll never meet a more stoked group of surfers than late-in-life European surfers.” – Lachlan Campbell​

Resources:

• Follow Lachlan: Connect with him on Instagram at @thesurfingcopywriter.
• The Surfing Copywriter: Learn more about his work at www.thesurfingcopywriter.com.
• Join The Surf Société: A space for women surfers to connect, grow, and improve their surfing. Join Here.

How to Support the Podcast

1. Leave a Review – Help more women surfers find Confessions of a Surf Lady by rating us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
2. Share with a Friend – If this episode resonated with you, send it to a surf sister who might love it.
3. Join The Surf Société – Learn more, surf better, and live happy with a community of like-minded women surfers.
4. Support Our Sponsors – The brands we partner with are thoughtfully chosen to support women’s surfing—when you support them, you support us!
5. Shop Surf Société – Grab surf-inspired gear and essentials at shop.surfsociete.com. Every purchase helps keep this podcast going!

Final Thoughts

If you’ve ever dreamed of designing a life around surfing, Lachlan’s story is proof that it’s possible. Whether you want to freelance, move abroad, or simply create more

Send me a Message! Be sure to leave your contact info.

Support the show

Confessions of a Surf Lady, women's surfing podcast, is supported by The Surf Société, our unique digital women's surfing platform where we come together to Learn More. Surf Better. Live Happy. Learn more at Surfsociete.com

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 about fear of bigger waves, confidence in the lineup, and those frustrating moments when you feel stuck without knowing why. Plus, I’ll share a powerful visualization trick that helped me shift my mindset in challenging conditions.

This month inside The Surf Société, we’re focusing on mental strategies to help you move past fear and level up your surfing. If you’ve been struggling with confidence or feeling like you’re hitting a plateau, this episode is for you.

Main Themes

• Confidence in the Lineup
  “If you don’t know how to read the break or where to sit, it’s easy to feel intimidated. The good news? Knowledge builds confidence.” – Laura Day
  Learn how understanding lineup dynamics can help you feel more at ease in crowded breaks.
• Fear of Bigger Waves
  “Your brain sees big waves as danger—but shifting your perspective can change how you react.” – Laura Day
  Discover a simple visualization technique that can help you stay calm and commit in heavier conditions.
• Feeling Stuck Without Knowing Why
  “You don’t know what you don’t know. Sometimes, the smallest piece of missing information is all that’s standing between you and progress.” – Laura Day
  Why having the right guidance can make all the difference in breaking through plateaus.

Resources

• Join The Surf Société: Our March program is all about mental strategies for overcoming fear and boosting confidence in the lineup. Try it free for a week! Join Here.
• Follow Me on Instagram: Say hi and share your experiences at @confessionsofasurflady.

How to Support the Podcast

1. Leave a Review – Help more women surfers find this podcast by rating us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
2. Share with a Friend – If this episode resonated with you, send it to a surf sister who might need it.
3. Join The Surf Société – Get expert guidance, live workshops, and a supportive community to take your surfing to the next level.

Final Thoughts
Fear and mental blocks don’t have to define your surfing. With the right mindset shifts and the right support, you can push past these obstacles and start having more fun in the water. Hit play and let’s get into it!

Send me a Message! Be sure to leave your contact info.

Support the show

Confessions of a Surf Lady, women's surfing podcast, is supported by The Surf Société, our unique digital women's surfing platform where we come together to Learn More. Surf Better. Live Happy. Learn more at Surfsociete.com

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 episode, Debunking Diet Culture, or as a Nutrition Surf Guide in The Surf Société, where she taught us how to fuel our sessions and stay energized in the lineup. Now, through her Reconnect program, Leah’s helping women tap into their intuition, embrace change, and live more aligned, fulfilling lives.

In this episode of Confessions of a Surf Lady: The First Women’s Surfing Podcast™, Leah and I dissect the power of reconnecting—to yourself, to surfing, and to the unique beauty of aging. We explore how surfing mirrors self-discovery, why redefining beauty is so important, and how to find joy in your evolution as a woman.

If you’ve ever felt unsettled in life, stuck in your surf progress, or resistant to enjoying the process of aging, this conversation will remind you why every stage of life as a woman is worth celebrating.

Main Themes:
Surfing as a Teacher:
“The ocean is a mirror—everything you feel, fear, or strive for will show up in the lineup.” – Leah Donatiello

Intuition and Self-Discovery:
“Your intuition isn’t here to make you comfortable; it’s here to tell you the truth.” – Leah Donatiello

Community and Growth:
"It’s been really amazing to marry my love for surfing with helping women find themselves again. It feels like such a privilege to create spaces where women can feel supported, not just in their surfing but in their personal growth." – Leah Donatiello

Resources:
Reconnect Retreats: Join Leah’s transformative surf and yoga retreats for women ready to reconnect to themselves and the ocean. Learn More Here.

Connect with Leah: Follow Leah on Instagram at @leah.donatiello for updates on her retreats and empowerment mentorship.

The Surf Société: Be part of our global community of surf sisters, offering workshops, mentorship, and stoke! Follow @surfsociete.

Send me a Message! Be sure to leave your contact info.

Support the show

Confessions of a Surf Lady, women's surfing podcast, is supported by The Surf Société, our unique digital women's surfing platform where we come together to Learn More. Surf Better. Live Happy. Learn more at Surfsociete.com

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 advice from Surf Société mentor Paul Spooner that completely changed my paddling technique, and how I started doubling my wave count in just one session. If you’ve been stuck in a cycle of shielding yourself from frustration instead of reaching for more, this is your reminder that it’s okay to want more out of your surfing—and your sessions.

Main Themes:

Recognizing Limiting Mindsets:
“I realized I was using gratitude to shield myself from disappointment, but deep down, I wanted more.” – Laura Day
The Power of Technique Over Fitness:
“Don’t ever let fitness be the reason you’re not catching waves—it’s all about technique.” – Paul Spooner
Balancing Gratitude with Ambition:
“You can be grateful for your surf sessions and still want more.” – Laura Day

Resources:

• ✨ Join Surf Société (7-Day Free Trial)
  Explore our members-only community for women surfers — with workshops, mentorship, and cultural surf support. 👉 Join Here
• 📸 Follow Laura on Instagram
  Behind-the-scenes surf reflections, podcast updates, and community connection. 👉 @confessionsofasurflady
• 🌊 Surf Société on Instagram
  Our official community account — surf tips, expert events, and empowering women’s surf content. 👉 @surfsociete
• 🛍 Support the Podcast by Shopping Surf Société
  Shop surfwear and gear that supports the mission. 👉 shop.surfsociete.com
• 🫶 Support Our Sponsors
  We carefully choose sponsors that align with our mission. Supporting them supports us — and you.

Send me a Message! Be sure to leave your contact info.

Support the show

Confessions of a Surf Lady, women's surfing podcast, is supported by The Surf Société, our unique digital women's surfing platform where we come together to Learn More. Surf Better. Live Happy. Learn more at Surfsociete.com

"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 despite the severe lack of size diversity in available gear. Her journey is proof that sports and outdoor spaces are for everyone, no matter their body size.

Kim’s honesty and determination highlight both the barriers and beauty of getting back into sports, especially for women looking to surf and thrive in a world that often feels body-exclusive. If you’ve ever questioned where you fit in, her story will speak to you.

In this episode of Confessions of a Surf Lady, the first women’s surfing podcast, we chat with Kim about what it took to reclaim her athletic identity, the body stigma she’s faced, and the frustration of finding gear that actually fits. Kim’s candor is a breath of fresh air—she’ll have you thinking twice about what “inclusivity” really means, and she encourages all of us to see the ocean (and any sport we love) as a place that’s ours to enjoy no matter what size or shape you come in.

Main Themes:

Reclaiming Joy in Sports Despite Societal Barriers
"What would 10-year-old me do?" became Kim’s guiding question to reconnect with the sports and hobbies she loved but set aside. Her journey reveals the deep joy and confidence that come from reclaiming sports spaces as a plus-size woman and challenges the idea that only certain body types "belong" in these spaces.

The Challenge of Gear Accessibility in Sports
Kim opens up about the lack of size-inclusive gear in the surfing and sports industries, sharing her frustrations in finding essential equipment, like wetsuits and hockey pads, in plus sizes. This conversation highlights the need for size diversity in gear to make sports more accessible for everyone.

Body Neutrality and Creating an Inclusive Ocean Space
Moving beyond body positivity, Kim talks about embracing body neutrality—focusing on what the body can do rather than how it looks. She encourages a view of the ocean and sports spaces as accessible to all, fostering a welcoming, inclusive environment for women of every shape and size.

Resources

• Follow Kim: Get inspired by Kim’s journey and advocacy for size inclusivity on Instagram at @movefatgirl.
• Shop Dip and get 15% OFF with the code "confessionsofasurflady" at checkout at Dipalready.com
• Join our global women’s surf community — The Surf Société — and start your free 7-day trial today. 🔗 Click here to join now
• Shop Dip and get 15% OFF with the code "confessionsofasurflady" at checkout at Dipalre

Send me a Message! Be sure to leave your contact info.

Support the show

Confessions of a Surf Lady, women's surfing podcast, is supported by The Surf Société, our unique digital women's surfing platform where we come together to Learn More. Surf Better. Live Happy. Learn more at Surfsociete.com