Jamie O’Brien is one of the most iconic surfers of all time, but it’s not because he followed the path everyone expected.

Signed at 13, Pipeline Masters champ by 21, and already staring down a life of competition, Jamie realised it wasn’t what he wanted. He literally burnt the ASP rulebook, pioneered a new era of free surfing, and built a global brand doing it his way.

In this episode we go deep on fear, risk, happiness, and how chasing mastery can sometimes steal your joy. It’s an incredible look inside the mind of someone who has shaped surf culture for a generation. This convo was truly powerful.

Key Discussion Points

Burning the ASP rulebook and walking away from comp surfing
How fear and calm coexist inside a big barrel
Why chasing the perfect wave still drives him at 41
Building an empire outside of the traditional surf world
How growing up with little money fuels his work ethic
The balance of staying youthful and chasing big dreams

Follow Jamie:

https://www.instagram.com/whoisjob/

Follow Chris:

https://www.instagram.com/morechrisgriffin/

Timestamps:

00:00 - 01:30 Intro
01:30 - 06:00 The thrill and fear of the barrel
06:00 - 10:30 Signed at 13 and growing up fast
10:30 - 15:00 Walking away from competition surfing
15:00 - 19:30 Burning the rulebook
19:30 - 24:00 Fear rituals and risk mindset
24:00 - 28:30 Staying young, driven and building an empire
28:30 - 33:00 Teaching others and the surf school
33:00 - 37:30 Pipeline ego and surf culture
37:30 - 42:00 Why progress can kill the joy
42:00 - 46:30 Starting new hobbies and learning
46:30 - 51:00 The power of travel
51:00 - 55:30 Work ethic and building from nothing
55:30 - 01:00:00 The hunger for more
01:00:00 - 01:04:09 Why he keeps chasing waves

#75: Jamie Obrien: How Burning The Rule Book Will Change Your Life