Breaking Waves of Life with Shaun Tomson

In today’s episode of the “Helping Families Be Happy” podcast, host Christopher Robbins talks to Shaun Tomson, a former World Surfing Champion, who has been described as one of the greatest and most influential surfers of all time. Shaun is also a world-renowned leader, mentor, entrepreneur, environmentalist, and best-selling author. Today they’re going to explore principles of decimal living from his most recent book, The Surfer and The Sage.

 

Episode Highlights

• 02:20 – Christopher asks Shaun to tell a little bit about his background, how he got into surfing and the World Championships.
• 04:15 – Shaun talks about his father who was South Africa’s top swimmer and used to go to the Olympics. He became a world champion in many events around the world.
• 07:42 - There's a way to activate positive decision-making in this magic universe through the stroke of Science and Leadership, says Shaun.
• 10:02 - This book – ‘The Surfer and The Sage’ is a continuation of philosophy that addresses the eighteen relentless, breaking waves of life, from loss and aging to relationships and depression, and guides you to transformation.
• 12:30 – Christopher wonders and enquires that as a Surfer and as an Environmentalist what has the ocean taught Shaun.
• 15:50 - Shaun mentions that his parents have had so much impact on him that it has been a source of service, a source of inspiration, and it's been the way he became the world champion.
• 17:00 - What have you learned in writing the book that can help the family deal with the anxiety that perhaps some are experiencing today? Asks Christopher.
• 19:20 - This book is a common book that will take you through some of the stories and philosophical interpretations of the story.
• 21:20 – Christopher was so fascinated as he was reading about forgiveness, humility, and courage in the book. Every chapter amongst the 18 chapters is focused on life are opposites.
• 25:30 - Was there a moment in writing this book where you learned something you had an aha moment something you hadn't realized before? Enquires Christopher.
• 27:50 – Christopher states that he loves that quote by Gupta from the book – “Whatever you can believe you can begin. Boldness has genius, power, and magic so that it connects with anyone."

Three Key Points

1. While everyone runs something different, we have defined this compulsion that we want to be better today than yesterday, and we want to be better tomorrow than we are today. The underline is, that we'll help others to be better which means to help others to be part of a wider community.
2. ‘The Surfer and The Sage’ is not a list of rules to follow that guarantee success, health, or wealth, but rather a collection of advice from two guides who have traveled far and wide and suffered deeply, but still look forward to tomorrow with faith and hope. 
3. This is not just a book that talks about this concept of hope and this concept of optimism. This is a book that talks about faith, and darkness. It talks about forgiveness, but at the same time, it also talks about guilt. It talks about optimism, but it talks about pessimism as well. So we have to see these aspects in order to make a positive step forward.

Tweetable Quotes

• “My primary mission is to help the world be a better place by making lives better.” - Shaun Tomson
• “After I retired from the church, I ended up working for Sony which worked for Patagonia for a couple of years, that was a wonderful brand.” - Shaun Tomson
• “The ocean has taught me so much about the basic principles of life.” - Shaun Tomson
• “At the beginning of the book, you say this world is too often, too broken for too many.” - Christopher Robbins
• “So the principal words have been stress, anxiety, depression, and disconnection.” - Shaun Tomson
• “You have to face the bitter too in order to know the sweet” - Christopher Robbins
• “That's the whole point that Familias assisted families, be happy individuals, families, whatever type of family you have.” - Christopher Robbins
• “I started with a statement that words have the power to change our mindset, and our lives.” - Shaun Tomson

Resources Mentioned

• Helping Families be Happy Podcast  Apple
• Shaun Tomson Website Instagram Twitter LinkedIn
• Podcast Editing