competitive paddling – Your Ocean Life

The Zen of the Paddle: How Steve Shlens Found Flow After Breaking His Back

by Joshua PedersonHealing & Resilience, Podcast Episodes November 14, 2025No Comments

The ocean is a demanding and unforgiving teacher, often requiring those who pursue its depths to demonstrate not just physical prowess but extraordinary mental fortitude. For prolific prone paddleboarder Steve Shlens, this lesson was learned not once, but repeatedly, across decades of competitive endurance racing and life-altering adversity. Steve’s career is a testament to resilience, …

Finding the Deep Water Flow: Mark Schulein’s Epic Endurance Paddles for a Cause

by Joshua PedersonConnection & Community, Podcast Episodes November 13, 2025November 13, 2025No Comments

The ocean has a unique way of forging character, transforming personal ambition into profound charitable purpose, and demanding a level of physical and mental commitment that few activities can match. For dedicated watermen like Mark Schulein, the rhythm of the paddle is not just about covering distance; it is a guaranteed path to fitness, mental …

Mastering the Ocean Flow State: Endurance Paddler Amy Spector on Leadership and Limitless Drive

by Joshua PedersonPodcast Episodes, Riding Energy November 13, 2025November 13, 2025No Comments

Welcome back to the podcast, where we dive deep into the lives of athletes who find their truest selves in the rhythms of the sea. Today, we feature a remarkable guest whose name echoes across countless race results, yet whose greatest accomplishments lie in her ability to lead, endure, and inspire. Amy Spector is a …

Finding the Flow State in the Channel of Bones: Nick Franco’s Epic Ocean Life

by Joshua PedersonPodcast Episodes, Riding Energy November 13, 2025November 13, 2025No Comments

Imagine paddling 32 grueling miles across one of the world’s most treacherous stretches of water, the Kaiwi Channel, known chillingly as the Channel of Bones. This is not just a physical feat; it is a profound mental undertaking, a deep dive into self-imposed suffering in pursuit of something extraordinary. It is in this crucible of …

Riding the Edge of the World: How Gerry Lopez Found Flow in the Fabled Molokai Channel

by Joshua PedersonPodcast Episodes, Riding Energy November 13, 2025November 13, 2025No Comments

Welcome back to the podcast, where we dive deep into the lives of those who find their deepest connections and most profound sense of self within the vast, blue expanse of the ocean. Today, we are honored to share the wisdom and exhilarating stories of a true ocean legend, a man whose name is synonymous …

Beyond the Horizon: How a 55-Mile Monterey Bay Paddle Defined the Ultimate Ocean Flow State

by Joshua PedersonPodcast Episodes, Riding Energy November 13, 2025November 13, 2025No Comments

Imagine standing on the precipice of a vast, cold expanse, preparing to embark on a solo journey that few would ever dare attempt. This isn’t a supported expedition with a crew and a safety net; this is a personal pilgrimage across one of the deepest, most dynamic bodies of water on the planet. For Mike …