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#72 Bianca Valenti’s Second Act: How She Won Equal Pay, Redefined Her Sport, and Trains Her Body and Nerves for Big Waves — and for Life
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What does it take to paddle into 50-foot waves — and to paddle back out again after life knocks you down?
In this wide-ranging conversation, professional big wave surfer Bianca Valenti joins the Ageless Athlete podcast to talk about what it really means to face fear, rebuild after burnout, and commit to something bigger than yourself.
Bianca is best known for:
- 🌊 Being one of the world’s top female big wave surfers
- 🏄♀️ Competing in the legendary Eddie Aikau Invitational in 2023
- ⚖️ Leading the historic fight for equal pay in surfing as co-founder of CEWS (Committee for Equity in Women’s Surfing)
- 👊 Coaching a 59-year-old rookie to surf Mavericks for the first time
- 🧠 Developing Surf Longevity — a course designed to help everyday athletes extend their physical and mental game
💡 What You’ll Learn
- How Bianca went from being a self-taught longboarder to a pioneer in big wave surfing
- The near-death experience at Ocean Beach that changed the course of her life
- What really happened behind the scenes in the fight for equal pay
- How she prepares for huge swells — physically, mentally, and spiritually
- Simple but powerful breathwork and mindset tools that anyone can use
- Why she believes age is an advantage — not a liability
- How she helps older athletes push boundaries without burning out
Whether you’re a surfer, a weekend warrior, or just someone navigating change — Bianca’s story will inspire you to rethink what’s possible, at any age.
🔗 References & Resources
- Bianca’s Website & Coaching Programs: https://www.bigwavebianca.com/
- Follow Bianca on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigwavebianca/
- New York Times Magazine Feature (2019): “The Fight for Gender Equality in One of the Most Dangerous Sports on Earth” https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/02/07/magazine/women-surf-big-wave.html
- Upcoming Documentary: She Change, directed by Sachi Cunningham
Subscribe to the Ageless Athlete newsletter — 2× a month, no spam. We share behind-the-scenes reflections, longevity tips, and athlete wisdom you won’t find anywhere else. You can sign up at https://www.agelessathlete.co/newsletter/ 📩
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