There’s a lot going on in women’s surfing.
World champions have quit the tour. Roxy cut ties with iconic team riders. And Pipeline has (finally) been dominated by women who rip harder than most dudes ever could.
And it took a long time to get here, something surf legend Layne Beachley has been speaking openly about. In the clip below, she revisits a career-low when she sh*t-talked Andersen and Barton Lynch intervened.
Related: Big Wave Surfer Kai Lenny Breaks Down the XXL Swell Headed for Sunset Beach
She captioned the post above:
“Overcoming self-sabotage: What I did to get out of the victim mentality and improve my performance by lifting up my competitors.”
Beachley says that early on, she succumbed to self-sabotaging behaviors like showing up drunk and hungover to heats, and generally unprepared.
She continued:
“I certainly didn’t have a smile on my face because I’d bought into this victimized mentality.”
Then, she bashed Lisa Andersen on TV:
“They were asking me, you’re going to Hawaii, how do you rate your chances?
“I put shit on Lisa. I actually said ‘Well she’s crap in big waves and I’ve got a way better chance at beating her and I’m really good in big surf.'”
So a fellow Aussie surf legend called her out:
“I remember getting a call from Barton Lynch who’s been one of my mentors. He basically said, ‘Pull your head in.’
“‘When you drag your competition down, you make yourself look really foolish, especially when they beat you.’
“‘So if you can start elevating your competition, and then you keep beating them, then it makes you look a whole lot better.'”
Her followers loved the transparency:
“She’s a legend and a true role model for surfing. Publicly reflecting on moments of growth takes courage, especially when you were wrong.”
“I freaking love your authenticity. And you rip!”
“Thanks for sharing and being honest.”
“Incredible inspiration. Thank you. We are always so grateful for you sharing such beautiful raw truths.”
“Preach! Pure gold the younger generation of sportswomen (& women in general) are so lucky to have you to look up to.”
“This is amazing advice. So good for your mindset.”
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