#016 - Laird Hamilton - The King of the Ocean Opens Up on What it Takes to Live an Extraordinary Life

Everyone is trying to hack, optimize and comfort their way to a better life. Laird Hamilton says the opposite is true: that comfort is the trap, that fear is intelligence, and that the closer you get to death, the more alive you become.Laird Hamilton is widely regarded as the greatest big-wave surfer of all time, the pioneer of tow-in surfing and hydrofoil boarding who redefined what's possible in the ocean. He is the co-founder of Laird Superfood, husband of volleyball legend Gabby Reece for 28 years, and father to three daughters.He explains:◼ Why the closer you are to death, the more alive you feel◼ How a lifetime in the ocean convinced him that God exists◼ The one thing he believes is worse than dying◼ Why fear is intelligence, and how to harness it instead of avoiding it◼ Why parenting is like building a samurai sword, and why it's for you, not your kids◼ He opens up about growing up poor, fatherless and an outsider, and how that pain fueled everything he builtThe views expressed are those of the guest, and this conversation is intended for general informational purposes only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice.Chapters00:00 Why You Shouldn't Live For Your Kids04:05 What Really Fueled Laird's Success08:23 How Laird Turned Pain Into Power09:45 The Ocean Gave Laird Everything10:54 The Ocean Taught Laird the Existence of God22:19 How to Never Lose Your Curiosity28:11 Why Nature Always Wins32:01 Why Fear Is Actually Intelligence34:38 Why Laird Is Addicted to Fear37:00 Why Nothing Matters Without Consequence40:16 The Closer to Death, the More Alive44:30 The Simple Code Laird Lives By50:08 Are You Living or Just Surviving?51:22 Why Laird Would Rather Lose His Life55:16 Live Every Day Like Your Last58:23 The Life-Changing Power of Telling the Truth1:05:08 What Three Daughters Taught Laird1:08:01 The Samurai Sword Theory of Fatherhood1:12:19 What Living With Four Women Taught Laird1:17:14 The Secret to a 28-Year Marriage1:24:05 Why Laird Refuses to Use AI1:30:47 Why Laird & Gabby Schedule Sex1:34:58 Why Laird Threw Away His Wearables1:39:22 The Hawaiian Test of Character1:48:04 Never Use Your Kids as an Excuse1:54:09 The #1 Thing Holding You Back1:58:34 Why Most Men Are Harmless, Not Peaceful2:03:38 The Sayings That Shaped Laird's Life2:11:22 We're All in the Same Boat2:13:06 What's Next for Laird