5 minute(s) de lecture
‘If you’re not doing what you love, you’re not really living.’
By the age of 23, professional surfer Becca Speak suffered multiple head injuries.
The impact of her last head injury whilst surfing at Waco, led her to discover that she had been struggling with consistent unhealed head injuries for the majority of her life, often making her ‘Feel like I’m in a dream’.
The sport that impassioned her life and inspired her career resulted in a life changing accident, provoking a complex and apprehensive relationship with the thing that once gave her endless joy.
Beyond Normal is an incredible film that explores Becca’s journey through her brain injury and her connection with surfing, which we are proud to sponsor.
Due to the limited understanding of Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI’s) in society, they’re often ‘invisible’ and go unacknowledged, leaving those living with them feeling extremely isolated and misunderstood.
The film offers an important insight into the reality of living and recovering from a TBI and the individualistic nature of brain injuries.
It shares the rollercoaster relationship between Becca and surfing, touching on the risks of the sport but also the addictive nature and ultimate happiness it provides for surfers.
We were keen to speak to Becca about her journey of self-discovery and the vulnerable insight into her progress.
Congratulations on the release of your incredible and inspirational film Beyond Normal. It’s been an epic two and a half year journey sharing your recovery progress. What’s it like to see your journey unfold, and what effect has rewatching the film had on you?
We’re super stoked about how the film turned out and the traction it’s gained. Watching the film is emotional to relive, but it also reminds me of how far I’ve come and how much farther I can go in my journey.
Obviously, at the start of filming, you had no idea what challenges lay ahead, the timeline of progress, or the outcome. What inspired you to make the brave decision to be so vulnerable and share your experience?
I definitely had no idea the journey would be such a long road. Brain injuries are invisible, making them hard to understand for anyone who hasn't experienced one; therefore, they can get brushed off. It’s important to me to spread awareness of the reality of a head injury so we can better understand one another and heal. It wasn’t easy to be vulnerable in front of a camera but it was helpful to have Anna and Jordyn there for me as friends to get through the tough moments.
As you begin to progress in your recovery, we see the lift in your mental well-being when you start surfing again, but also the feelings of conflict and overwhelm associated with it. You share the poignant thought that ‘If you’re not doing what you love, you’re not really living.’ How did it feel to make that realisation, and was this a turning moment for you?
I’ve always been a firm believer in doing what you love. I had to surf again because If I didn't, that would be giving up, and I’m pretty stubborn. I knew that It wasn't going to be easy, but I could find love for surfing again, and I did.
Where are you with surfing now?
I have good and bad days, but so does anyone in any sport. I try to listen to my body and not push myself too far when I need to rest. I’m determined to continue to improve my surfing and cognitive strength, but I try to focus on just enjoying surfing for what it truly is and not get too frustrated.
As part of your recovery journey, you attended the Love Your Brain Retreat in Maine, which provides programs for people who have experienced TBIs. Why was it important for your recovery to join the retreat with the TBI community and connect with other people in this way?
TBI’s can feel very isolating, so it’s so important to have support and community when recovering from a TBI, and I’m so grateful for those that I was connected with. Every TBI is different, but we are all going through it physically and mentally so It was really helpful to have a community to connect with.
What exciting plans are in the pipeline?
We are excited to continue touring the film! I feel like I’m just getting started, and I'm looking forward to what’s to come in my surfing and snowboarding. I have a lot of goals. Stay tuned for a sequel!
Follow Becca
Instagram: @beccaspeak
Facebook: Becca Speak
TikTok: @beccaspeak
#dryrobeterritory
Published on September 17, 2024