31: Koa Smith on The Healing Power of Surfing

In this captivating episode of What Shapes Us, Selema Masekela (@selema) sits down with professional surfer and storyteller Koa Smith (@koasmith) for an intimate conversation about surfing, spirituality, and finding resilience through adversity. Koa recounts growing up on the North Shore of Kauai, chasing waves with childhood heroes, and making the pivotal choice to step away from competitive surfing in favor of exploration and creative expression.

Koa opens up about the trauma and recovery from a life threatening head injury, sharing how plant medicine, meditation, and listening to his inner voice reshaped his path. Together, he and Selema reflect on vulnerability, the nature of addiction and ego, and the deep lessons gleaned from moments of crisis.

Through stories of chasing perfect barrels, long rehab sessions, and spiritual breakthroughs, this conversation reminds us that healing is an ongoing journey and one that can illuminate new ways to connect, create, and live authentically.

Follow us:

• Koa Smith: @koasmith

• Selema Masekela: @selema

• What Shapes Us Podcast: @whatshapesuspodcast