EP 3592 You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf

In episode 3592 of The Strong Life Project, Shaun unpacks a simple truth that most high performers forget when life gets rough: you don't control the ocean, you control your response. The "waves" are pressure, setbacks, conflict, fatigue, uncertainty, grief, and the problems that show up at the worst time. If you keep trying to stop the waves, you waste energy fighting reality and you miss the only leverage you actually have.

This episode reframes resilience as a trainable skill, not a personality trait. Shaun explains why calm isn't the absence of chaos, it's the ability to stay directed while chaos is present. He breaks down how people typically fail under stress: catastrophising, chasing certainty, trying to control other people, abandoning the basics, and making impulsive decisions to get short term relief.

Then he shares a practical "surfing" framework for staying steady:

1. Notice the wave early: body signals, mood, self talk.

2. Name it accurately: what is happening and what is just fear.

3. Choose your stance: values, standards, and the outcome you want.

4. Commit to the next right action: one controllable step, done well.

5. Recover on purpose: sleep, hydration, movement, connection, and downtime that actually restores you.

You'll also hear reflection prompts to pressure test your behaviour: What am I trying to control that I can't? What am I avoiding because it's uncomfortable? What basic habit would stabilise me fastest today? Where do I need to lower drama and raise discipline?

The punchline is blunt. Waves don't stop. Waiting for life to calm down is a losing strategy. Build capacity, master your mind, and keep steering. If you're feeling stretched, reactive, or stuck, this episode will help you regain agency, respond with discipline, and move forward with clarity even when conditions aren't ideal. day after day.