Welcome to ResetU
In this episode, Andy Rhodes and Nathan Gardner are joined by James Mallows, serving police officer and co-founder of Operation Surfwell, an innovative wellbeing programme using surfing and blue space therapy to support emergency service workers experiencing trauma, stress, and burnout.
James shares his journey through over 20 years of policing across rural and urban environments, and how a devastating assault on a colleague became the catalyst for creating something radically different. Frustrated by traditional interventions that weren’t helping officers recover or return to work, James and his colleague Sam began asking a simple question: what actually helps us reset after the toughest days?
The answer came not in a boardroom, but sitting on surfboards off the coast of North Devon. From that moment, Surfwell was born.
Throughout the conversation, James explains how Surfwell goes far beyond “just taking people surfing.” Built on action-centred therapy and underpinned by academic research, the programme creates a psychologically safe, carefully structured environment where participants are supported by instructors who understand the realities of emergency service life. By combining cold water immersion, peer connection, learning a new skill, and trust-based relationships, Surfwell helps unlock conversations that many participants didn’t realise they were ready to have.
This episode is a powerful exploration of resilience, innovation, and what happens when we rethink how we care for the people who spend their lives caring for others.
For more information on what has been discussed in today’s episode please head to the below links:
Surfwell: https://www.surfwell.co.uk/
Download the ResetU App: https://resetu.co.uk/
This podcast is proudly sponsored by Police Mutual, which supports the police family with wellbeing, financial, and practical support, while recognising extraordinary bravery across the UK. To find out more, please head to https://www.policemutual.co.uk/
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