Jamie O’Brien is one of the most iconic surfers of all time, but it’s not because he followed the path everyone expected.

Signed at 13, Pipeline Masters champ by 21, and already staring down a life of competition, Jamie realised it wasn’t what he wanted. He literally burnt the ASP rulebook, pioneered a new era of free surfing, and built a global brand doing it his way.

In this episode we go deep on fear, risk, happiness, and how chasing mastery can sometimes steal your joy. It’s an incredible look inside the mind of someone who has shaped surf culture for a generation. This convo was truly powerful.

Key Discussion Points

• Burning the ASP rulebook and walking away from comp surfing


• How fear and calm coexist inside a big barrel


• Why chasing the perfect wave still drives him at 41


• Building an empire outside of the traditional surf world


• How growing up with little money fuels his work ethic


• The balance of staying youthful and chasing big dreams

Follow Jamie:

https://www.instagram.com/whoisjob/

Follow Chris:

https://www.instagram.com/morechrisgriffin/

Timestamps:

00:00 - 01:30 Intro

01:30 - 06:00 The thrill and fear of the barrel

06:00 - 10:30 Signed at 13 and growing up fast

10:30 - 15:00 Walking away from competition surfing

15:00 - 19:30 Burning the rulebook

19:30 - 24:00 Fear rituals and risk mindset

24:00 - 28:30 Staying young, driven and building an empire

28:30 - 33:00 Teaching others and the surf school

33:00 - 37:30 Pipeline ego and surf culture

37:30 - 42:00 Why progress can kill the joy

42:00 - 46:30 Starting new hobbies and learning

46:30 - 51:00 The power of travel

51:00 - 55:30 Work ethic and building from nothing

55:30 - 01:00:00 The hunger for more

01:00:00 - 01:04:09 Why he keeps chasing waves

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