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
Episode 91: Danni Washington [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:28
Episode 91 was recorded in front of a live audience at the Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills and is brought to you by our partner, Los Cabos Tourism. Our special guest, Danni Washington, is a Science Communicator, Author,…
Episode 90: Shira Lazar [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:13
Episode 90 features a conversation with a digital trailblazer who found healing and transformation in nature. Shira Lazar is the founder and CEO of the Emmy Nominated digital media brand What's Trending. She is the host…
Episode 89: Lindsay Myers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:01
In episode 89 we catch up with Lindsay Myers at the newly remodeled Viceroy Santa Monica. Lindsay tells us about some of the exciting projects and travels she's working on. We also hear about the fun shared experience th…
Episode 88: Nicholas Stone [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:01
Episode 88 of the podcast was record at Bluestone Lane on Rose Ave in Venice Beach with the CEO and Founder of Blunestone Lane Nicholas Stone. A former professional AFL Football Player (6 years), Corporate Finance banker…
Episode 87:  Danny Guerrero [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:12
In Episode 87 we speak with Danny Guerrero, Founder, The Culturist Group (TCG). His accomplishments are astounding and driving change. In this episode we hear Danny's meaningful travel stories from his first internationa…
Episode 86:  Mindful. Adventure. Travel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:49
Hello Travelers, This episode was recorded on location in Montana as part of a mindful adventure travel experience with Recal Travel. This was a unique experience as part of Recal's quiet park series in Glacier National…
Episode 85: Kaila Yu [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:22
Kaila Yu is a Taiwanese American singer, songwriter, former model, and freelance journalist. She was formerly the lead singer and vocalist for the all-Asian-American, female rock band Nylon Pink. As a journalist and on-c…
Episode 84: Scott Eddy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:24
On episode 84 of the podcast we meet a man who's blazed a trail in the travel digital space, but things didn't always go as planned for Scott Eddy. Life changed for Scott after losing his father 3 weeks before graduating…
Episode 83: The Meaningful Travel Summit [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:08
TWM podcast host Mike Schibel was honored to attend the first in person Tourism Cares Meaningful Travel Summit since the COVID pandemic. Bringing together Like-minded travelers from all sectors of the travel industry in…
Episode 82:  Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, but make it fashionable [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:04
Renowned adventure photographer Laura Grier has a knack for manifesting extraordinary opportunities. When she was presented with leading an all women's climb to the top of the highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjar…