The Surf Strong Show

Greg Finch

Conversations For a Healthy Community. Join us as we chat with people working in diverse areas and leading interesting lives. I am committed to helping Surfers Surf Strong For Life and this podcast is dedicated to pushing the needle forward. I look forward to getting to know you and building our Surf Strong Show Community. STAY SURF STRONG, Greg Finch

  1. Episode 39: Surfing, Storytelling, and the Waves That Bring Us Back with Henry Dittman

    2D AGO

    Episode 39: Surfing, Storytelling, and the Waves That Bring Us Back with Henry Dittman

    Henry Dittman is an actor, host, voice actor, surfer, dad, and co-host of ClipCast with Chris Wylde. He joins Greg Finch on The Surf Strong Show for an It Comes in Waves conversation about the waves that stay with us, the way surfing can change the direction of a life, and why getting back in the water after time away can feel like coming home. Henry starts with the wave he still daydreams about: a session at Turtle Bay while shooting an independent film in Hawaii. After years of quoting Blue Crush with his surf crew, he found himself working alongside Chris Taloa, paddling out on the North Shore, catching a long wave at Turtle Bay, and walking straight from the water into hair, makeup, and wardrobe with sand still on his feet. From there, the conversation moves into Henry’s most recent wave: his first real surf session after nearly nine months out of the water during a major home renovation, a double hernia, pneumonia, and the full grind of family life. What could have been an average El Porto beach break session became one of those days that reminds you surfing never really leaves. Greg and Henry talk about surfing as stillness, stress relief, identity, family, aging, movement, breath, mobility, and the shift from chasing perfect sessions to staying connected for life. They also get into dawn patrol, surf travel, fatherhood, youth sports, learning when not to surf, and why consistency matters more than waiting for perfect conditions. This is a grounded, funny, and deeply surf-connected conversation about what surfing gives us — and why the wave you remember most is not always the biggest, cleanest, or most impressive one. Sometimes it is the one that brings you back to yourself. In this episode: Henry’s first wave and how surfing helped shift his life and acting careerThe Turtle Bay wave he still daydreams about from a Hawaii film shootSurfing with Chris Taloa after years of quoting Blue CrushHenry’s first session back after nine months out of the waterWhy imperfect waves can still deliver the deepest stokeSurfing, water immersion, stillness, and mental resetMovement, breath, and mobility as daily surf-readiness habitsFatherhood, aging, and staying ready to surf with your kidsWhy surf trips require more than just paddling fitnessLetting surfing evolve without losing the core of what it gives you Guest Links: Henry Dittman on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/henrydittman/ Henry Dittman on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/henrydittman ClipCast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clipcast-the-best-clippers-podcast/id574649000 Surf Strong For Life Links: Apply for 1:1 surf fitness coaching: https://surfstrongfit.com/start Surf Strong For Life: https://surfstrongfit.com/ The Surf Strong Show is hosted by Greg Finch, surf longevity coach and founder of Surf Strong For Life, helping surfers build strength, mobility, breath control, paddle endurance, and confidence so they can stay surf-ready for decades.

    51 min
  2. Chris Wylde on Surfing, Fatherhood, Patience, and the Waves You Never Forget

    MAY 11

    Chris Wylde on Surfing, Fatherhood, Patience, and the Waves You Never Forget

    Actor, comedian, surfer, and ClipCast host Chris Wylde joins Greg Finch on The Surf Strong Show for an “It Comes in Waves” conversation about surfing, fatherhood, patience, and the waves that stay with us. Chris shares the story of his most recent wave at Rincon with his son — a small, uncrowded day that turned into one of those long, quiet, soul-surfing rides you do not want to ruin by paddling back out too soon. From there, the conversation moves through New Jersey beach culture, learning to surf at Blacks Beach on a board that made no sense for a beginner, life in Redondo Beach, and the connection between acting and surfing. Chris talks about how the “hurry up and wait” rhythm of working on film and television sets mirrors time in the lineup: long stretches of patience, followed by moments where you have to be ready immediately. Greg and Chris also get into surfing with your kids, knowing your limits in the ocean, longboarding footwork, cross-stepping, and why practicing movement patterns out of the water can help surfers feel more confident when wave time is limited. This episode is funny, human, surf-connected, and full of the kind of stories that remind us why surfing stays with us for life. In this episode: - Chris’s last wave at Rincon - Surfing with his son - Growing up “down the shore” in New Jersey - Learning to surf at Blacks Beach - How surfing teaches patience and presence - The overlap between acting, timing, and surfing - Longboarding footwork and the “dad bunny hop” - Why dry-land reps matter for better movement in the water - The unforgettable left Chris still daydreams about Guest Links: Chris Wylde: https://www.chriswylde.com/ Chris Wylde on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0943699/ Chris Wylde on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ChrisWylde ClipCast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clipcast-the-best-clippers-podcast/id574649000 ClipCast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Aia6OpSRcdTjv15aTtQ8v ClipCast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laclipcast/ Surf Strong Links: Apply for 1:1 surf fitness coaching: https://surfstrongfit.com/start Surf Strong For Life: https://surfstrongfit.com/ The Surf Strong Show is hosted by Greg Finch, surf longevity coach and founder of Surf Strong For Life, helping surfers build strength, mobility, breath control, paddle endurance, and confidence so they can stay surf-ready for decades.

    23 min
  3. 037 Barrett Perlman: Surfing, Breath, and the Inner Work of Staying Present

    MAY 5

    037 Barrett Perlman: Surfing, Breath, and the Inner Work of Staying Present

    n this episode of The Surf Strong Show, Greg sits down with Barrett Perlman — former professional wakeboarder, surfer, transformation coach, and spiritual guide — for a conversation about surfing, breath, meditation, confidence, and what it really means to stay present in the ocean. Barrett shares her path from professional wakeboarding to surfing, including the early frustration of learning to paddle, read waves, and surrender to an environment where no two waves are ever the same. She also reflects on a long backside right in Morocco that still lives in her memory as one of those waves that changes how you see surfing. From there, the conversation moves into the deeper side of surf longevity: breath control, hold-down anxiety, paddle endurance, pop-up mechanics, and learning how to stay calm when the ocean puts you under pressure. Greg and Barrett also talk about dry-land surf training, video review, adapting your pop-up to your own body, and why having fun matters just as much as “getting reps.” This episode is for surfers who want to keep surfing for life — with more strength, mobility, confidence, awareness, and connection to the ocean. Listen now and follow The Surf Strong Show for more conversations on surf fitness, longevity, resilience, and ocean-connected living. LinksConnect with Barrett Perlman Instagram: @barrettperlman Work with Greg / Surf Strong For Life 1:1 Surf Fitness Coaching: surfstrongfit.com/start

    32 min
  4. 036 Shiloh Strong Founder Ashes To Films | Actor | Producer

    APR 28

    036 Shiloh Strong Founder Ashes To Films | Actor | Producer

    Summary In this inspiring interview, Shiloh Strong shares his transformative journey through personal health crises, the power of surfing as a source of resilience, and the impactful work of Ashes to Films, a nonprofit supporting creatives affected by disasters. Discover how storytelling, community, and creative healing can turn trauma into hope. Keywords Resilience, Surfing, Creative Healing, Ashes to Films, Personal Transformation, Disaster Recovery, Mental Health, Community Support, Filmmaking, Inspiration Key Topics Personal transformation through health crisesThe role of surfing in mental resilienceThe mission and impact of Ashes to Films Guest Name Shiloh Strong Sound bites "The Vanagon is almost the perfect vehicle." "The surgery was life-saving." "Reduce resistance, just go." Chapters 00:00 Surfing Memories and Personal Connections 01:39 The Significance of the Vanagon 03:38 Life Changes and Heart Surgery 03:39 Growing Up Between Two Landscapes 05:57 The Healing Power of Surfing 08:36 Transition to Santa Barbara and the Fire Incident 10:47 The Impact of Loss and Community Support 13:38 Introducing Ashes to Films 16:03 Creative Recovery Through Filmmaking 18:56 The Journey of Ashes to Films 21:48 Empowering Filmmakers Post-Fire 25:21 Evolving Perspectives on Time and Creativity 27:10 Finding Balance in Passion and Life 29:59 Reducing Resistance to Enjoy Life 33:15 Navigating Digital Distractions 36:37 Life-Altering Health Challenges 40:55 The Transformative Power of Daily Rituals 46:00 Redefining Success and Creativity 49:14 Building Resilience Through Creativity 55:46 Podcast Outro.mp4 Resources Ashes to Films Website - https://ashestofilms.org Tribeca Film Festival - https://tribecafilm.com Writers Guild of America - https://www.wga.org Director's Guild of America - https://www.dga.org Sundance Film Festival - https://www.sundance.org Guest links Website - https://shilohstrong.com Twitter - https://twitter.com/shilohstrong Instagram - https://instagram.com/shilohstrong

    56 min
  5. 035 Dr. Ashley Allen: E.R. & Integrative Health

    APR 9

    035 Dr. Ashley Allen: E.R. & Integrative Health

    Dr. Ashley Allen lives at a rare intersection: emergency medicine, integrative healing, chronic pain recovery, and surfing. In this conversation, we explore how her work as an ER doctor has shaped her understanding of stress, healing, and the mind-body connection—and how her own personal journey led her to look beyond conventional medicine alone. Dr. Ashley shares how practices like stillness, breath, mindfulness, and surfing can help people reconnect with themselves, reduce stress, and begin creating real change without feeling overwhelmed. We also talk about burnout in healthcare, the challenge of slowing down in a high-stress world, and why healing often starts with small, simple steps and a willingness to believe a different future is possible. This episode is a grounded, thoughtful look at what it means to care for the body, calm the nervous system, and take ownership of your path toward wellness. Takeaways Healing is not always about doing more. Often it starts by slowing down enough to listen.The mind-body connection plays a major role in stress, recovery, and long-term wellness.Small, consistent practices can create meaningful change without adding overwhelm.Surfing can be more than recreation—it can become part of a personal wellness practice.Healthcare providers need spaces and tools to process stress, avoid burnout, and stay connected to their own well-being.Belief in the possibility of change is often the first real step in a healing journey. Chapters00:00 Surfing as Medicine, Escape, and Awareness 28:54 Making Surfing Part of a Wellness Practice 34:32 Beginning the Healing Journey 42:01 Mindfulness, Burnout, and Healing in Healthcare

    45 min
  6. FEB 17

    Surf Strong Express Show — Episode 037: Bare @ss Minimums (BAMs)

    Life gets busy. Motivation comes and goes. That’s why I use BAMs (Bare @ss Minimums)—the non-negotiable baseline I hit daily so I stay surf-ready no matter what’s going on. In this episode, I break down a simple 3-phase BAM framework: Morning: set intention + lowest-friction startMidday: movement “snacks” to stay loose and strongEvening: decompress, reflect, and reset for tomorrowIf you want surf longevity without overcomplicating your routine, start here: define your BAMs and hit them daily. Listen to more episodes here: https://surfstrongfit.com/podcast Apply for Surf Strong For Life Exclusive Coaching: https://surfstrongfit.com/start Key Topics CoveredWhat “BAMs” are (and why they beat motivation)Choosing the day’s highest priority with less resistanceMorning setup: intention + simple structureMidday movement: keeping joints and tissue “online”Evening reset: reflection, decompression, and continuityTakeaways Consistency wins when motivation fades—BAMs give you a baseline you can always complete.Define non-negotiables that support surf longevity: movement + breath + mindset.Start your day by identifying one highest-priority target (then protect it).Use midday movement snacks to reduce stiffness and maintain readiness.End the day with a short reset: decompress, reflect, and tee up tomorrow.Keep BAMs small enough to succeed daily, then build upward from there.Chapters / Timestamps 00:00 — What are BAMs (Bare @ss Minimums) 01:05 — Why life distraction kills consistency (and how BAMs fix it) 02:58 — Morning Phase: intention + lowest-friction start 04:20 — Picking the day’s highest priority (simple filter) 05:52 — Midday Phase: movement snacks to stay surf-ready 07:30 — Examples of quick movement / mobility check-ins 09:40 — Using breath + mindfulness to shift state fast 12:09 — Evening Phase: decompress, reflect, reset 13:30 — How to stay adaptable without losing the routine 14:20 — Simple challenge: define your BAMs and do them tomorrow

    18 min
  7. Breathe Strong, Surf Strong: How Better Breath Transforms Your Surfing

    12/10/2025

    Breathe Strong, Surf Strong: How Better Breath Transforms Your Surfing

    Breathe Strong, Surf Strong: How Better Breath Transforms Your Surfing Episode OverviewIf you want to surf stronger, longer, and with a calmer mind, it starts with something you are doing all day anyway: breathing. In this episode of The Surf Strong Show, coach Greg Finch breaks down how breath impacts your surfing, your recovery, and your day-to-day stress levels. He explains why most modern breathing habits quietly work against performance, and shares simple, practical breath techniques you can plug into your routines in and out of the water. You will learn how to use breath to boost paddle endurance, calm your nervous system after heavy efforts, and stay present in the lineup when conditions or crowds start to spike your stress. Greg also explores how combining good posture, mindful breathing, and small daily “micro practices” can turn your sessions into repeatable training for both body and mind. “Breath is powerful on so many levels.” What You’ll LearnWhy breath is one of the most underrated performance tools in surfingHow to weave breath techniques into your daily routines to improve recoveryThe role of posture and alignment in effective breathingHow mindfulness and breath work help manage stress, anxiety, and overwhelmWays to practice breath in and out of the water so it shows up when you need it mostHow to use breath to stay calm under pressure in challenging surf or life momentsSimple ways to extend your connection to the ocean with post-surf breathing rituals“Stay present, feel the wind and sand.” Episode HighlightsThe Power of Breath (00:00) Why breath is central to surf performance, focus, and long-term surf longevity.Modern Breathing Habits and Their Impact (04:24) How our daily lifestyle quietly trains shallow, inefficient breathing and what to do instead.Practical Breathing Techniques for Surfers (14:09) Simple, repeatable exercises you can use before, during, and after your sessions.Connecting Breath with Surfing (14:31) How to link breath to paddling, positioning, and staying composed in critical moments.Post-Surf Breath Practices (28:28) Ways to cool down, recover faster, and carry that ocean calm into the rest of your day.“Extend out the positive of the surf.” Take This Into Your Next SessionEvery paddle out is a chance to practice. Choose one breath technique from this episode, set a reminder on your phone, and use it: Before you check the surfWhile you are sitting in the lineupAfter your session as you towel off and head back to your dayYour surf training is not just what happens in the gym or in big swell days. It is in how you breathe through all of it. If you want more tools to build breath endurance, recovery, and mental focus for surfing, make sure you grab Greg’s Surf Breath Checklist and keep training your breath to Surf Strong For Life.

    34 min

About

Conversations For a Healthy Community. Join us as we chat with people working in diverse areas and leading interesting lives. I am committed to helping Surfers Surf Strong For Life and this podcast is dedicated to pushing the needle forward. I look forward to getting to know you and building our Surf Strong Show Community. STAY SURF STRONG, Greg Finch

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