Soul Surfer C.J. Macias' Transformative Spiritual Awakening on the Huge Waves of Nazaré

Soul Surfer C.J. Macias' Transformative Spiritual Awakening on the Huge Waves of Nazaré

Author: Aaron Wexler June 23, 2023 Duration: 1:34:15

Episode 69 features C.J. Macias - A big wave surfer, former pro volleyball player, and holistic life’s advocate, CJ is one of the stars of "100 ft Wave" on HBO. Having survived one of the gnarliest wipeouts at Nazare, Portugal, he is now sharing his experience there, how it has changed him, transformed him, given him a spiritual awakening, and how that experience can relate to anyone and everyone. He is an absolute soul surfer filled with wisdom, knowledge, love, and a zest for life!

IG: @c.j.macias @100ftwavelifestyle

Links Mentioned:

C.J.'s Detailed experience of his wipeout at Nazare: bit.ly/3JRFQFp

The Idea of AWE with Dacher Keltner: https://youtu.be/AjNm6W_0DQw

C.J.'s Detailed experience of his wipeout at Nazare: bit.ly/3JRFQFp

In This Episode We Discuss:

  • Definition of inspired athlete
  • The waves of life
  • Living a holistic lifestyle
  • Emotional Q. shame/embarrassment. Trapped emotions
  • HBO's Emmy Award Winning “100 Foot Wave” with Garret McNamara
  • Facing fear
  • Respect and AWE for the energy of the ocean and big waves
  • The Nazaré Wipeout.
  • The idea of SURRENDER. ego
  • Spirituality - how has this experience affected/enhanced you spiritually?
  • Trauma - Owning your story, & reframing your story
  • Being a soul surfer
  • Overcoming Injuries
  • Healing. Mental, physical, emotional journey of healing
  • GRATITUDE
  • Learning a lesson from anger
  • Mindfulness. Breath-work, meditation, Clarity
  • Flow. Can you practice it!
  • Building up Confidence
  • Purpose. Sharing your wisdom and creating community on your zoom calls
  • Importance of Family. Podcast
  • The “waves of life” project with the McNamara Foundation
  • “The only constant is change”
  • Fulfilment


Hosted by Aaron Wexler, Within The Game explores the shared mental frameworks of high performers, whether they're on the field, in the boardroom, or navigating daily life. This isn't a typical interview show; it's a deep, practical conversation about the specific, often overlooked tools that fuel sustained inspiration and success. Each episode features candid discussions with a diverse range of guests, from Olympic champions and professional athletes to seasoned coaches and innovative entrepreneurs. The focus is always on the tangible: the routines, mindset shifts, and personal philosophies they actively use to excel under pressure and find meaning in their work. You'll hear how a coach visualizes a game plan, the way an entrepreneur reframes failure, or the mental ritual an athlete relies on before a crucial moment. The aim is to unpack these accessible strategies, demonstrating that the discipline for peak performance isn't confined to a stadium or an office-it's a transferable skill set. By listening to this podcast, you gain a behind-the-scenes look at the psychology of excellence, offering actionable insights that can be applied to your own goals and challenges. It’s about understanding the internal mechanics that drive external results, providing a resource for anyone looking to cultivate resilience, creativity, and a more inspired approach to their own game, whatever that may be.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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