Ep 17: Jesse Billauer

Ep 17: Jesse Billauer

Author: Mike Schibel, Travel With Meaning July 16, 2019 Duration: 34:00

Jesse Billauer (born February 24, 1979) is a well-known surfer from Pacific Palisades, California.

Billauer suffered an accident at the age of 17 on March 25, 1996, hitting his head on a shallow sandbar after being knocked off his surfboard by a wave. The force broke his neck, severing his spinal cord at the C6 level and instantly rendered him a quadriplegic.

Billauer was told by doctors that he would never surf again. However, Billauer eventually did return to surfing, adapting his surfing technique and equipment to the situation of his current condition. He has become a role model guide to many other surfers, both professional and amateur, on how to live life to the fullest, despite a life-changing injury. Through these efforts, Jesse has gained sponsorships from companies including Hurley, Channel Islands Surfboards (who developed a "Jesse Billauer" model), LoFric, Wavejet and Shoe City.

After graduating from Malibu High School, Billauer eventually enrolled at San Diego State University, with an emphasis in Communications. He graduated in 2002. He is also a motivational speaker, and is Executive Director of the non profit foundation he founded, "Life Rolls On." Through this foundation, Jesse is taking a leading role in awareness and activism for spinal cord injury related quality of life programs.

The 2003 Docs-Film Step Into Liquid featured his story and his friendship with Rob Machado Billauer was also featured on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Dateline NBC, Good Morning America, While You Were Out, E! True American Story and more. In 2004 he won the 10News (San Diego) Leadership Award for his commitment to Life Rolls On Foundation. His life story is featured in the book Bouncing Forward: Transforming Bad Breaks into Breakthroughs.

In 2005 Billauer became the first quadriplegic surfer to surf the dangerous waves of Cloudbreakin Fiji. He now surfs utilizing a power-assisted surfboard created by Wavejet.

The inaugural "Jesse's Story on Tour" speaking tour began in April 2006. This Tour has traversed the country and Jesse has delivered his message of Overcoming Adversity to over 100,000 people.

In December 2006 Billauer broke his femur while surfing large waves on the North Shore of Oahu (Hawaii). This injury led to the development of improved equipment for disabled surfers. He has recovered and is back in the water surfing again.

In September 2013 he took over as Executive Director and CEO of Life Rolls On Foundation.

On December 6, 2013 Billauer became engaged to his longtime girlfriend Samanta Pearson and on October 26, 2014 he married her at the historical Adamson House in Malibu. They Live in Los Angeles with two beautiful twin boys.


Mike Schibel sits down with a fascinating array of guests on Travel With Meaning, but the destination is rarely the main point. Instead, this podcast explores the profound personal shifts that happen when we step outside our familiar surroundings. Each conversation delves into a specific journey-whether it’s a life-altering pilgrimage, a chaotic business trip that sparked a new idea, or a simple vacation that unexpectedly clarified a career path. You’ll hear from artists, athletes, entrepreneurs, and seasoned travel experts, but the focus remains on the transformative moment, the insight gained, or the connection made that reverberated long after the suitcase was put away. Schibel, founder of Travel With Meaning, guides these discussions with a genuine curiosity, allowing his guests to unpack not just their itineraries but the emotional and professional baggage they carried with them. The stories reveal how travel acts as a catalyst, reshaping identities, forging unexpected creative directions, and offering a new lens on one’s place in the world. Listening feels like being part of an intimate, thoughtful dialogue where the map of a life is redrawn by the roads taken. This isn't about recommendations or tips; it's about the lasting imprint of a place on a person. The podcast consistently uncovers how the world, in all its diverse complexity, has a way of teaching us exactly what we need to learn, often when we least expect it.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 133

Travel With Meaning
Podcast Episodes
Ep 22: Erin Sullivan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:38
I'm originally from a suburban town in Connecticut. Growing up, I was not outdoorsy. I didn't know anyone who traveled regularly. I didn't have a role model who was exploring the world. But throughout school, I had a cur…
Ep 21: Ruben Rojas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:19
In 2013, Ruben Rojas traded in his suit for a paint brush and began transforming blank walls into unique, empowering messages that today are uplifting communities and challenging the public to create new dialogues. As an…
Ep 20: Lauren Abraham [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:44
Celebrity fitness model, Lauren Abraham, is a nationally recognized TV host & live event MC specializing in travel, health, fitness, red carpet events, and action sports. She has over 10 years of ongoing hosting experien…
Ep 19: Ben Higgins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:00
Ben Higgins is best known from season 20 of ABC's hit series, "The Bachelor," where he opened himself up to millions of viewers, giving them the chance to truly get to know him. The opportunity ultimately led to an enhan…
Ep 18: Season 1 Finale Solocast [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:05
This is a solo cast episode where Founder of Travel With Meaning, Mike Schibel shares about his yearly family summer reunion at their cabin in Northern Minnesota. Mike gets real and personal with his experience and why t…
Ep 16: Angel Castellanos [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:43
"I'm a US based travel expert and spend my time teaching people how to travel well, smart and often. I'm passionate about good travel and helping people save time & money. I often say that travel is my Ph.D in life becau…
Ep 15: Richard Bangs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:53
Richard Bangs is co-founder and Chief Adventure Officer of http://www.Steller.co Richard Bangs has been a pioneer in travel, digital media, e-commerce, and other frontiers. In the early 90s Richard produced the first int…
Ep 14: Angela Sun [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:59
Destined to shine, her bright personality, experience, and sunny disposition led Angela to break boundaries in the world of sports and media as the first Asian-American female sportscaster to appear on ESPN, Yahoo! Sport…
Ep 13: David Hertz [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:59
David has been working at the edge of sustainability and the forefront of regenerative architecture for over 35 years. As a systems thinker, he engages a variety of fields through design and believes in expanding the con…
Ep 12: Solocast [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:24
Welcome to the first official solocast of the Travel With Meaning podcast. I've been enjoying bringing you conversations with interesting guests sharing travel stories and don't worry we have three more interviews coming…