Rodrigo Perez: Active Patience
from Waterpeople Hosted by Lauren L. Hill & Dave Rastovich - surf stories & ocean adventures
What do you need to change to still be surfing in 20 years? Performance and longevity coach Rodrigo Perez is practical about what it takes to keep surfing as we age, from mindset and community to the unglamorous basics of strength and mobility. He is the author of The Art of Longevity. Rod’s path to coaching is built on lived experience. He grew up in Brazil and struggled with respiratory issues that kept him sidelined from sport. He learned firsthand how movement, breath control, and patient repetition can change a body completely. At 23, Rod sold his car, flew to Australia with $500 in his pocket, taught himself English, and has built a career to share what he's learned the hard way. Rod has spent more than two decades working with elite surfers on both the men's and women's World Tour. He supports everyday surfers and world champions alike, to heal, handle setbacks and redefine personal perceptions of what it means to be 'well.' We get specific about surf injury prevention and performance: why lower back pain and hip problems are so common, how tight hips can limit your surfing over time, and why shoulder stability matters for paddling endurance and neck health. Rod’s life and career reiterate a central message: bodies are built to adapt. If we let them. He gives us his recommendations for the top ways to set kids up for strong physical foundations and says he's doing his best wave riding at 50, which we hope you take as an invitation. We did, and we've been spending a lot more time hanging from things since. Send us Fan Mail ... Co-Hosts + Production: Lauren L. Hill & Dave Rastovich Sound + Video Engineer: Ben J Alexander Theme song: Shannon Sol Carroll Additional music by Kai Mcgilvray + Ben J Alexander Closing track: 'Sunseekers' by Andysixstring Join the conversation: @Waterpeoplepodcast ... Thanks to our generous sponsors this season: Patagonia Australia: in business to save our home planet Ngalung Kalla Eco Retreat: surf adventure paradise The Sunglass Fix: give your favourite sunglasses new life Sodii: hydration for salty humans ... Subscribe to our newsletter for BTS stories from making the podcast, and the books, films and music we’re currently into. Written by us + free to read.
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What this episode covers
What do you need to change to still be surfing in 20 years? Performance and longevity coach Rodrigo Perez is practical about what it takes to keep surfing as we age, from mindset and community to the unglamorous basics of strength and mobility. He is the author of The Art of Longevity. Rod’s path to coaching is built on lived experience. He grew up in Brazil and struggled with respiratory issues that kept him sidelined from sport. He learned firsthand how movement, breath control, and p...
Chapters
- 0:00 The Honesty Check Before Change
- 0:22 Welcome To Water People
- 8:37 Brazil’s Champions And The Hunger Gap
- 22:58 Can Surfing Ever Work On TV
- 28:25 Rod’s Leap From Brazil To Australia
- 34:40 Breath, Anxiety, And Learning To Adapt
- 40:53 Surfing Origins And Staying Playful
- 49:21 Sponsor Break
- 51:13 Blue Zones And The Power Of Community
- 55:30 The Patterns Behind People’s Breakdowns
- 59:31 The Injuries That End Surfing
- 1:03:27 Strength, Mobility, And Swimming For Paddling
- 1:16:05 Defining Health And Training For You
- 1:25:50 Building Strong Kids Through Movement
- 1:29:28 Self-Acceptance As The Starting Line
- 1:31:41 Closing Thanks And Where To Follow
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