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

Watching Gidget as a little girl changed the entire course of Susie Terry’s life. What started with a surfboard strapped through the sunroof of her mom’s VW Bug turned into a lifetime of chasing waves, building community, and staying stoked well into her seventies. In this episode of Confessions of a Surf Lady, The First Women’s Surfing Podcast™ , I talk with Surfer Susie about growing up surfing...

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...

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 st...

👉 Get The FREE guide & Join Noseride Collective Waitlist This summer inside Surf Société, we wrapped up something truly special: our six-week Nose Ride Blueprint challenge. What started as an idea we’d been carrying for nearly two years turned into a program that brought women together, inspired breakthroughs, and created real progress toward nose riding goals. In this episode of Confessions...

Mimi Miller embodies the fierce joy and courageous authenticity that surfing desperately needs. In a world often dominated by slim, conventional images, Mimi is breaking stereotypes and showcasing how curvy, strong, and confident women redefine surfing. In this episode of Confessions of a Surf Lady, The First Women’s Surfing Podcast™, Mimi shares her 11-year surfing journey—from dancing on the bea...

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™ , Elai...

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...

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...

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, Su...

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...

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...

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 firs...

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 r...

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 e...

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 hel...

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 yo...

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...

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...

"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 advoc...

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...

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 talente...

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...

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 read...

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 le...

In 2014, I moved to Brisbane, Australia, alone. Surfing was on the agenda, but I knew nobody and nothing about the Australian lineup. One evening, I made my way to the coast to meet a group of surfers the next morning. My anxiety of being alone in a new country quickly eased as I met my first friend: Christina. Now, ten years later, Christina and I find ourselves in San Diego, sharing a glass of s...