logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2024
39m 23s

Embracing everything life has to offer, ...

Waitwhat
About this episode

Garrett McNamara is a legend in the surfing world who’s ridden some of the biggest waves on the planet. To maintain his surfing career, Garrett spends all his time and energy chasing the next big swell. But when he unexpectedly gets knocked off his board, he has to step away from doing the thing that makes him the happiest. He tells the story of how he learns to embrace all the moments life has to offer, rather than always chasing the next wave. Garrett’s television show “100 Foot Wave” won an Emmy award for Outstanding Cinematography For A Nonfiction Program at the 2024 ceremony.

Find out more about Garrett and the McNamara Foundation: https://www.garrettmcnamara.com

Find Garrett on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcnamara_s/

If this episode resonates with you, we’d love to hear from you. Please take a moment to share your reflections by rating and reviewing Meditative Story in your podcast player. It helps other listeners find their way to the show, and we’d be so grateful.

Each episode of Meditative Story combines the emotional pull of first-person storytelling with immersive music and gentle mindfulness prompts. Read the transcript for this story: meditativestory.com

Sign up for the Meditative Story newsletter: https://meditativestory.com/subscribe

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Up next
Jul 8
What kindness means to us
At a time when it feels like the world needs kindness more than ever, Rohan and the Meditative Story team share a unique, immersive exploration of the ways kindness can show up in all of our lives, featuring contributions from the Meditative Story community. This purposefully cra ... Show More
10m 18s
Jul 1
There’s nobody like you, by Eddie Huang
In 2009, Eddie Huang, author of the acclaimed memoir Fresh Off the Boat, opens Baohaus, his first Taiwanese restaurant on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. It’s a wild, chaotic gamble that exemplifies Eddie’s spirit. But as the restaurant’s success grows, Eddie is faced with the chall ... Show More
33m 7s
Jun 24
Letting go of the need to do it all, by Meredith Goldstein
Meredith Goldstein writes the wildly popular Love Letters column in the Boston Globe, but for much of her life, she’s viewed romantic relationships as a trap. Meredith grows up seeing the limitations of her mom’s insular life, and knows she wants more for herself. It’s only when ... Show More
37m 18s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2022
#265 Jay Shetty on How to Think Like a Monk and Train Your Mind for Peace and Purpose (Re-Release)
I am delighted to welcome former monk turned social media superstar, Jay Shetty. This episode was first released in September 2020. After having spent three years living as a monk in India, Jay believes that you don’t have to live like a monk to think like one. With his social me ... Show More
1h 52m
May 2023
A Personal Story from Dan
As you might already know, May is Mental Health Awareness Month – and, while mental health is important every month, it’s an important opportunity to share resources that can help one another.  So, in that spirit – we’re going to bring you a bonus episode from a podcast we love c ... Show More
28m 11s
May 2024
What Happened When A Skeptical Reporter Decided To Investigate The Afterlife | Sebastian Junger
New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers --- The surprisingly common experience of near death experiences and what science still can't explain about them. Sebastian Junger is the #1 New York Times Bestse ... Show More
1h 11m
Sep 2023
From A Drug Addict in Jail To An Award Winning Personal Trainer: Childhood Trauma, Recovery, Fitness as Medicine, Doing the Work & Learning to Love Yourself Again with Doug Bopst
Ep. #39 Today’s guest is Doug Bopst, award winning personal trainer, author, speaker, and podcast host. Doug has an incredible transformation story from a former incarcerated drug addict to where he is today and says he is lucky to have survived his 25th birthday. Through perseve ... Show More
58m 7s
Mar 2021
The Profound Upside of Self-Diminishment | George Saunders
There is a powerful scene in a novel called Lincoln In the Bardo, where President Abraham Lincoln has come to the cemetery where his young son, Willie, is soon to be buried. Willie had passed away at the White House where he had gotten sick. Lincoln is so distraught that he goes ... Show More
1h 8m
Jun 2024
The Science Of Motivation: How To Make Habits That Actually Stick | T. Morgan Dixon and Dr. Gary Bennett
New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers. --- How to overcome inertia and research-backed plans that actually work. Dr. Gary G. Bennett is Dean of the Trinity College of Arts & Sciences at Duke Universit ... Show More
1 h
Apr 2023
Will Guidara on Mastering the Art of Human Connection to Create Unreasonable Hospitality EP 285
Little did twelve-year-old Will Guidara know that his life-changing encounter with hospitality at the Four Seasons in New York would lead him on a journey of leadership and connection, inspiring him to create unforgettable experiences for others. Through his unwavering dedication ... Show More
58m 45s
Apr 2022
#261 BITESIZE | This Monk Mindset Will Help You Live a Happier Life | Jay Shetty
After having spent three years living as a monk in India, Jay believes that you don’t have to live like a monk to think like one. Feel Better Live More Bitesize is my weekly podcast for your mind, body, and heart.  Each week I’ll be featuring inspirational stories and practical t ... Show More
13m 47s
Jan 2023
E171 - Mark Manson: How to give a f*ck about the right things
Mark Manson is a bestselling author best known for his book The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F**k, selling over 10 million copies worldwide. This episode dives deep into what it means to lead a great life, exploring questions such as, how to focus on the things we care about and sh ... Show More
1h 4m
Oct 2022
If You’ve Ever Doubted Whether Meditation Works, Listen to This Story | Ali Smith, Atman Smith, and Andres Gonzalez
New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers. --- You may remember hearing a massively viral story from a few years ago about a school in Baltimore that gave students meditation, instead of detention.  Ali S ... Show More
1h 6m