The Mark Schulein Passion Project

Mark Schulein
  • 5.0 (19)
  • Documentary
  • Weekly

Mark Schulein is a businessman and community leader with a passion for people, philanthropy, and endurance sports. Mark is stoked to know so many talented and diverse people, and is setting out to capture these stories of inspiring people doing awesome things.

  1. 1d ago

    #93 - Steven Munatones - Open Water Swimming & Life Beyond the Shoreline

    World champion. Record breaker. Ocean water swimming pioneer. Hall of Famer. Innovator. Author. Commentator. Survivor… and one of the most curious and positive people you may ever meet.   Steven Munatones has spent a lifetime pushing boundaries, chasing extraordinary adventures, and helping shape the world of open water swimming. Growing up in Southern California, Steven developed a passion for the water that would take him far beyond the shoreline. In 1982, he captured the 25-kilometer World Long Distance Swimming Championship in England, launching an extraordinary career that would take him around the world. Today, Steve has swam in over 70 countries, has “first ascents” in numerous bodies of water and has swam and documented open water swimming in far flung places of the globe in some of the world’s most challenging waters. His accomplishments are staggering. Multiple U.S. national titles. A Guinness World Record for his crossing of Japan’s Tsugaru Channel. Pioneering marathon swims across Japan, including 26 miles across Lake Biwa and a shark-filled 18-mile circumnavigation of Yonaguni Island. And countless others. And ultimately, induction into the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame. But Steven’s influence extends far beyond his own swimming. As a U.S. National Open Water Swimming Team coach, Olympic commentator, author, and founder of the World Open Water Swimming Association, he helped elevate the sport onto the global stage. He created the iconic Oceans Seven challenge, launched influential swimming publications, wrote two books and over 22,000 articles and became one of the sport’s most prolific storytellers… and central figures. His contributions earned him the International Swimming Hall of Fame’s prestigious Poseidon Award and recognition in the Ice Swimming Hall of Fame. And his relentless curiosity didn’t stop at swimming. As CEO and co-founder of KAATSU Global, Steven has helped introduce innovative blood-flow-restriction technology to athletes, rehabilitation, and human performance. Along the way, he survived a life-threatening cardiac event, adding an entirely new dimension to his understanding of resilience and recovery. From world-class competition to groundbreaking innovation, Steven Munatones represents a rare combination of athlete, adventurer, visionary, storyteller and an incredibly humble and positive force. This is a conversation about passion, belief, innovation, and a life spent exploring what’s possible… both in and beyond the water.0:00 – Introducing Steven Munatones8:15 – Growing Up & Discovering a Passion for Swimming17:40 – Early Experiences in Competitive Swimming26:25 – Entering the World of Open-Water Swimming35:50 – Endurance, Training & Mental Toughness44:30 – Swimming in Extreme Conditions53:15 – Memorable Adventures & Challenges in the Water1:02:40 – The Evolution of Open-Water Swimming1:12:05 – Building a Community Around the Sport1:21:30 – Lessons Learned From a Lifetime in Swimming1:31:15 – The Future of Open-Water Swimming1:41:20 – Final Stories, Advice & Closing Thoughts

  2. Oct 8

    #92 - Mick DiBetta. A lifetime of Lifesaving, Prone Paddling & Coaching at the highest levels

    For nearly four decades, Mick DiBetta’s life has revolved around the ocean; saving lives, racing across it, and coaching some of the world’s best athletes how to master it. Growing up in Brisbane and traveling to Australia’s Gold Coast every weekend, Mick came through the fiercely competitive world of surf lifesaving and ultimately became a professional Gold Coast lifeguard, a career that would span nearly 40 years. Along the way, he developed into one of Australia’s greatest prone paddleboard racers and won multiple Australian and World Surf Life Saving titles. The world of lifesaving and racing exposed him to Hawaii; where the islands and the people left a massive mark on him… and have been a huge part of his life ever since. It’s no coincidence that his defining racing moment came in Hawaii. In 1997, Mick entered the inaugural Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard World Championship (M2O,) tackling 32 miles of the notoriously unpredictable Kaiwi Channel; and won it in 5:22:48. That victory helped establish M2O as the ultimate proving ground in prone paddling and cemented Mick’s place in the sport’s history; and its future. Yet Mick’s influence may be even greater as a coach. A Level 3 accredited Surf Life Saving Australia coach, he transformed decades of racing experience into a science-based training system called AllPaddling; and has coached his athletes to 16 M2O victories, including Jamie Mitchell and his unprecedented 10 consecutive titles. Incredible. In 2026, Mick completed the historic Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race after considering it for decades. His 9th place finish, in his 60’s not only places his name on the iconic Bob Hogan Trophy but kept his incredible record going… a record of 26 x 32 mile channel crossing races; ALL completed in the TOP 10 and ALL in sub six hours. These are incredible and monumental achievements… and one that puts Mick in rarified air; amongst some of the best watermen in the world. Period. Mick hasn’t simply competed in prone paddling; he’s helped shape generations of it.   0:00 – Introducing Mick DiBetta 9:15 – Growing Up & Early Influences 19:40 – Finding His Path & Passion 30:25 – The Experiences That Shaped Him 41:50 – Building a Career & Taking Chances 52:35 – Challenges, Setbacks & Lessons Learned 1:03:20 – Family, Relationships & What Matters Most 1:14:45 – Stories From Along the Journey 1:26:10 – How His Perspective Has Changed Over Time 1:37:35 – Success, Purpose & Staying Grounded 1:49:20 – What’s Next & Looking Ahead 2:01:10 – Final Stories & Closing Thoughts

  3. Sep 17

    #91 - Dave Boehne aka “The Brown Blurr” + Infinity Surf

    Dave Boehne was pretty much born into the surf world, with saltwater in his blood and foam dust in his hair. The son of legendary surf parents, shaper Steve Boehne and world-champion tandem surfer Barrie Boehne, Dave grew up around the family’s iconic Infinity Surfboards in Coastal Orange County, CA, riding everything he could get his hands on and shaping his first board at 15. He went on to compete professionally in both shortboards and longboards before becoming one of the early athletes and innovators pushing stand-up paddling (SUP) into a legitimate high-performance sport, both in the surf and in racing. And this hasn’t stopped. But Dave’s impact goes way beyond competing. He’s a surfer, shaper, designer, entrepreneur and creative force who helped drive Infinity’s evolution into high-performance short boards, long boards, all forms of “alternative” craft, SUP surf and race boards, and foiling; and he rips on them all. Today, Dave runs Infinity as the second generation CEO and as Creative Director and he isn’t just preserving the family legacy… he’s pushing it forward. Dave talks story about the evolution of the Infinity brand, growing up in the middle of an iconic surf family and the legendary surf community of South Orange County, CA and being surrounded by legends and influences across the world of surf. Stick around for the Brown Blurr himself, Captain Speed Freak… Dave Boehne. 0:00 – Introducing Dave Boehne5:35 – Growing Up in the Boehne Surfing Family12:10 – The History and Legacy of Infinity Surfboards19:05 – Finding His Own Path in the Surf Industry26:15 – Competition, SUP Racing & Life as an Athlete33:20 – Becoming a Surfboard Shaper and Designer40:35 – How Athlete Feedback Improves Board Design47:50 – Experimentation, Innovation & Testing Equipment55:10 – Running a Family Business and Building Infinity1:02:25 – How Surfing and Paddleboarding Have Evolved1:10:05 – Longevity, Creativity & Staying Motivated1:18:20 – The Future of Board Design & Final Reflections

  4. Sep 3

    #90 - Dave Kalama - Waterman - A Lifetime of Chasing Fun

    Dave Kalama isn’t defined by one sport. He’s one of those rare athletes who has spent a lifetime mastering the ocean while helping reinvent how the rest of us experience it; I’ve been watching Dave and his crew and their contributions, in awe, for decades. Born with deep Hawaiian waterman roots, Dave grew up with the ocean in his blood. His father, Ilima, was an early U.S. surfing champion, and his grandfather, Noah, was instrumental in the growth of outrigger paddling on the U.S. mainland. That heritage became the foundation for an extraordinary career built around chasing fun; surfing, towing, paddling, windsurfing, SUP, foiling and more, while experimenting and innovating, in the name of fun and adventure, all along the way. But… believe it or not, Dave started as a competitive skier in California. When that didn’t pan out, he made his way to Maui, immersed himself in surfing and windsurfing, and quickly developed into an elite windsurfer competing at the highest levels. And that got the flywheel spinning. Dave and his incredible waterman friends became the legendary “Strapped Crew.” Together, they pioneered tow-in surfing, unlocking massive waves at places like Pe‘ahi (Jaws) on Maui and forever changing big-wave surfing. Dave then became a central figure in the modern development of stand-up paddleboarding, helping transform SUP from its Hawaiian Beachboy roots into an international sport. He went on to win the Molokai-to-Oahu SUP World Championship, proving innovation and elite athleticism could go hand in hand. Then came foiling, and ultra distance paddling adventures, and anything else that got their juices flowing. Dave and his friends continued experimenting with creative new ways to have fun in the ocean and explore what was possible. Dave hasn’t just helped innovate these sports, he’s competed and excelled across them at the highest levels while helping others master them too. As a long time coach, he developed Kalama Kamps to help others chase their fun on the ocean. In recognition of all of his contributions, exploits, and what he’s provided to the ocean community; Dave was inducted into the Hawaii Waterman Hall of Fame in 2018. What a well deserved honor. I think it’s safe to say Dave’s goal of chasing fun and somehow making a career out of it has worked out pretty damn well.   0:00 – Introducing Dave Kalama & His Life on the Water 7:20 – Growing Up, Ski Racing & Early Athletic Influences 15:40 – Discovering Windsurfing & Moving to Maui 24:10 – The Evolution From Windsurfing to Big-Wave Surfing 32:35 – Pioneering Tow-In Surfing at Jaws 41:25 – Fear, Preparation & Performing in Extreme Conditions 50:10 – The Rise of Stand-Up Paddleboarding 59:05 – Racing, Training & Building Endurance 1:08:15 – Discovering Foiling & Pushing New Ideas Forward 1:17:20 – Designing Equipment Through Experimentation 1:26:10 – Reading the Ocean & Staying Present 1:37:05 – Longevity, Life Lessons & Final Reflections

  5. Aug 27

    #89 - Jack Bark. Deep Roots in Salt Water & Prone Paddling

    I’ve known Jack Bark since he was a little kid; when he would be onboard his dad’s escort boat during the Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race. Jack is one of the four children of paddling icon and master board builder, Joe Bark; so he’s been immersed in the paddling world since birth. It is definitely in his blood. I’ve been around to watch him go from a young gun to becoming one of the most accomplished prone paddling athletes of his generation.  The apple has not fallen far from the tree. Jack shares the stories of growing up in the awesome Bark household; surfing, fishing, spearfishing, paddling, growing up on boats and in the water from a very young age. If you know the Barks, you know Jack is part of paddling royalty; and the coolest, most inclusive and humble people you’ll ever meet. Jack has established himself as one of the world’s premier prone paddling athletes and has earned multiple prone paddling championship titles in the sport’s most prestigious races. With wins in the Molokai to Oahu race (M2O) he went on to a defining competitive achievement in 2024, when he won the Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race and broke the 25 year long course record. The same year his sister Emily won it. Amazing. With this win he became the first person ever to complete the crossing in under five hours. If you’ve ever paddled the Catalina Classic, or crossed the Catalina channel on a prone paddleboard you know just how fast that is. Still in his early 30’s, Jack is coming up on his 15th Catalina Classic, which is already an incredible accomplishment. It’s a family affair as all of the siblings have paddled this iconic race. We’ll have to wait and see if Jack pursues his dad’s record of completing 38 Classics. You never know… and I would not be surprised. On top of all of this Jack has a long list of extreme endurance, adventure paddles and runs; and he shares the stories, and his why, in this interview. On top of the paddling, Jack is a firefighter, a board builder, a husband (to an amazing waterwoman) and a new dad. It’s a heck of a life, and a hell of a story… and it’s really just starting.   0:00 – Introducing Jack Bark 6:45 – Jack’s Background & Early Life 14:10 – Discovering His Passion & Direction 21:35 – Early Challenges & Defining Experiences 29:05 – Career Turning Points & New Opportunities 36:40 – Overcoming Setbacks & Difficult Moments 44:20 – Discipline, Preparation & Personal Growth 52:05 – Memorable Stories From the Journey 59:50 – Relationships, Community & Mentorship 1:07:35 – Lessons Learned Through Experience 1:16:10 – Future Goals & What Comes Next 1:26:25 – Final Reflections & Closing Thoughts

  6. Aug 14

    #88 - Billy Pratt. Waterman - Preserving Hawaii’s History… and its Future

    Billy Pratt is a distinguished Hawaiian waterman, community leader, and dedicated guardian of a cultural legacy that reaches far beyond the islands. For decades, Billy has worked to preserve and perpetuate the values embodied by one of Hawaii’s greatest icons, Duke Kahanamoku; Olympic champion, legendary waterman, and Hawaii’s beloved Ambassador of Aloha. As president and longtime director of the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation, Billy has helped advance opportunities for generations of young people through scholarships, athletic support, water safety, and community service. As a co-founder and chairman of the Hawaii Waterman Hall of Fame, he has helped ensure that Hawaiʻi’s extraordinary watermen and waterwomen, and the traditions they represent, are honored, remembered, and celebrated. His commitment also helped bring Duke Kahanamoku’s remarkable story to audiences around the world through the acclaimed documentary Waterman, on which Billy served as an associate producer. But Billy Pratt’s legacy is about more than accomplishments. It is about stewardship, protecting Hawaiʻi’s history, honoring those who came before, and inspiring those who will follow. He does through his service to numerous boards, committees and organizations all focused on making an impact.   Billy represents a powerful Hawaiian principle: that true leadership is not measured by recognition, but by service, responsibility, and what we leave for the next generation; and he does it all with incredible passion, purpose and “whacking it ‘til the wheels come off.”   0:00 – Introducing Billy & His Story 9:20 – Billy’s Background & Early Years 19:45 – Finding His Path & Early Influences 31:10 – Major Turning Points Along the Journey 42:35 – Challenges, Setbacks & Lessons Learned 54:20 – Building Success Through Experience 1:06:05 – Mindset, Discipline & Personal Growth 1:18:30 – Stories That Shaped His Perspective 1:30:15 – Relationships, Community & Giving Back 1:42:40 – Lessons From a Life of Experience 1:54:25 – What Billy Values Most Today 2:05:10 – Final Reflections & Closing Thoughts

  7. Jul 31

    #87 - Dan Mann. World Class Shaper + Surfer + Prone Paddler.

    Dan Mann makes surfboards for some of the best surfers on the planet; and for us normal humans. Dan has been shaping boards for over 30 years and in the last year he’s been showcased through a number of surf programs that highlight the best and most celebrated surfers riding boards that have been made for them by the most accomplished board builders, but under the veil of anonymity.  In the last two of these stealth contests, the only two he’s been in, Dan has made it to the podium.  He’s won one and got second in the other; against the best and most recognized shapers in the game. Not a fluke. The two surfers? One happened to be the GOAT, 11 time world champion, Kelly Slater and the other is Australian super style master Ethan Ewing; with some of the best surfing I’ve ever seen.  With more than 15,000 hand-shaped boards and tens of thousands more built from his designs, Dan has quietly become one of the most influential board designers of the modern era. And he’s as passionate about shaping today as he’s ever been. But this conversation is about much more than surfboards. I’ve known Dan since the 1990s, and he’s always done things his own way. He’s an exceptional surfer (who, believe it or not, only rides frontside… aka switch stance), a world-class prone paddler and Catalina Classic winner, and the founder of The Loop Race which is one of Southern California’s iconic paddleboard races in San Diego. Dan has an authentic and passionate way of seeing the world and when you hear about the mentors and icons he’s spent time with, you start to understand where some of it comes from. Dan shares the stories and lessons he’s picked up along the way… which go far beyond surfing. This is a conversation about craftsmanship, competition, creativity, the ocean, doing hard things, finding your own “seam;” ultimately it’s Dan’s full story… which is way bigger than surf.   0:00 – Introducing Dan Mann & His Journey 4:10 – Early Life & Discovering His Passion 10:05 – Taking Risks & Following Purpose 16:20 – Overcoming Challenges & Setbacks 23:00 – Lessons That Changed His Perspective 30:15 – Building Meaningful Relationships 37:40 – Staying Motivated Through Difficult Seasons 45:10 – Finding Balance Between Work & Life 52:30 – Advice for Those Still Finding Their Path 1:00:20 – Looking Ahead & Future Goals 1:16:45 – Final Reflections & Life Lessons 1:27:30 – Closing Thoughts & Outro

  8. Jul 21

    #86 - Shaun Tomson - Surfing World Champion, Author, Speaker, Icon.

    Growing up, I had amazing images of Shaun Tomson, surfing in Hawaii, gracing my walls. He also had a place on the walls of most everyone I know, and surely on the walls of anyone that surfed in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. Shaun surfed the waves and surfed the way we all dreamed of.  Shaun Tomson is a class act. While becoming a Pipe Master in 1975 and a 1977 World Surfing Champion; and winning 19 professional surf contests over a 20 year pro surfing career; Shaun helped design and define the golden era of professional surfing with an innovative style that inspired generations.  But his story doesn’t stop at world titles and his incredible surfing career… that’s just the first chapter. Shaun has also built successful businesses, become a passionate and celebrated environmental advocate, written bestselling books and an incredible movie; and has emerged as one of the world’s most inspiring keynote speakers.  After experiencing the heartbreaking loss, Shaun found a way to transform unimaginable grief into a powerful message about resilience, purpose, and living with intention. His “Code” has since inspired everyone, internationally, from Fortune 500 executives and elite athletes to students and everyday people looking to live more meaningful and empowered lives. Whether he’s talking story about epic surf sessions, sharing life lessons, inspiring or challenging people to become their best selves, Shaun brings passion, purpose and power to everything he does.  What an incredible opportunity for me to sit down and talk with one of my all-time idols… for way more reasons than just his surfing; but surfing is where it all started and what inspired generations.    0:00 – Introducing Shaun Tomson & the "Pinch Me" Moment 5:00 – Family History: War, Persecution & Escape to South Africa 10:00 – His Father's Shark Attack and a Surfing Family Is Born 17:00 – Finding Flow: Rhythm, Instinct & a New Style 30:00 – Surfing Through Apartheid and Crossing the Color Line 38:00 – His Father's Code: Grace, Sportsmanship & Never Complaining 45:00 – 1976: The Birth of Professional Surfing 63:00 – Losing Matthew and Finishing "The Code" 67:00 – Code 12: Turning the Code Into a Framework for Kids 107:00 – Rebuilding a Values-Driven Brand & Where to Find Him

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Mark Schulein is a businessman and community leader with a passion for people, philanthropy, and endurance sports. Mark is stoked to know so many talented and diverse people, and is setting out to capture these stories of inspiring people doing awesome things.

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