Episode 09: Surfing Beyond the Waves ft. Kelly Slater

In this extraordinary episode of FutureLab, hosts Trevor Hendy, Danny Urbinder, Dr. Denise Furness are joined by surfing icon Kelly Slater, 11-time world champion, to explore the intersection of longevity, peak performance, and visionary thinking.

Kelly reflects on how his relentless drive and ability to see where surfing could evolve—often five to ten years ahead of his peers—redefined the sport. With insights into his legendary flow state, he shares how being present and fully connected to the ocean allowed him to achieve momentous victories in his career. From preparation to mindset, Kelly reveals the secrets behind his competitive edge and how he’s maintained greatness over decades.

The conversation takes a deep dive into Kelly’s health journey, highlighting his cutting-edge approach to diet, exercise, and supplementation, as well as an analysis of his biological age and how he continues to slow the pace of ageing. The discussion also ventures into his vision for the future of surfing, the challenges of parenthood, and the life lessons that shaped his philosophy on living with purpose and longevity.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking inspiration on achieving greatness, sustaining peak performance, and staying ahead of the curve in sport, health, and life.

0:00 Exciting News from FutureLab
0:46 Introducing Kelly Slater
6:01 Kelly's Early Life and Surfing Beginnings
12:17 The Competitive Edge and Surfing Philosphy
24:54 Navigating the Ocean's Patterns
36:45 Diet, Health and Longevity
44:28 The Magic of Intuition in Surfing
46:33 The Importance of Experiencing Life
47:49 Surfing: A Central Focus
50:21 Pipeline Victory
51:16 A Magical Week at Pipeline
51:34 Health and Longevity Insights
1:03:34 The Role of Presence
1:06:13 Reflections on Ageing and Future Plans
1:23:53 Facing Health Scares
1:29:10 The Importance of Unity and Respect
1:30:20 Conclusion and Final Thoughts