Board Women

Author of ‘Struggle: the surprising truth, beauty and opportunity hidden in life’s shittier moments’, Grace’s take on struggle fits brilliantly in to the world of board sports, and so we're delighted to be back after the summer break with this episode. Grace is an award winning speaker, author, chief encourager and struggle strategist, and for before joining this chat, she gave skateboarding a go for the first time.“This thing we call struggle is quite often the place where we learn, where we discover, where we stretch, where we might find something that that we wouldn’t have found otherwise….sometimes it’s not until we find ourselves in struggle that we discover what we’re made of.”Episode highlights:Struggle as the birth place of our best work. Shining a light in the middle of the tunnel, rather than trying to get out of it.With curiosity, what are the rich learnings we can glean from our moments of struggle?Skateboarding for the first time - the power of invitation to try something new. Understanding the four stages of competence.High functioning fear - what is it and how does it limit us?More about Grace:gracemarshall.com@gracemarshallninjaOthers mentioned in this chat:yellowhatskateschool.com@yellowhatskateschoolJoin the Board Women movement:boardwomen.co@boardwomenHost: Caroline KeylockProducer: Selma ChalabiPhotography - Clare KeylockArtwork - Rozi Wan Rimli Music - Brother Brother by Benjamin Caleb Johnson, performed by BENSON

In our last episode before the summer break (we're back in September), I talk to the phenomenal JoJo White @jojolecook, who has admirably managed to combine her career and passion for boarding from the outset. After studying journalism at Bournemouth Uni, where she squeezed in surfing in to her studies wherever she could, she landed a job straight out of college working on Onboard Snowboarding magazine. She helped to launch the magazine online from the mountains of Chamonix. She then did the same for @surfeuropemag from Biarritz.She is now co-owner of All Conditions Media with Matt Barr of the excellent @welooksideways podcast. An avid surfer and snowboarder in her 40s, Jojo is now a mum of two, who knows the reality of juggling roles and finding time to surf.Having seen the boarding industry evolve over the last 20+ years, she has some unique and fascinating insights to share, particularly on how girls and women fit in. Episode highlights:Starting out in a male dominated industry: life as a journalist on boarding magazines, and reflections on how the industry has changed and is changing for women.Partnering with Matt Barr to create All Conditions Media, a communications company that works with leading brands in outdoor sportsFostering a progressive, inclusive working culture in the company, and moving it to a ‘donut’ employee owned model where “everyone with a seat at the table has an equal role to play".“Sainsbury’s or surfing?….surfing is the ultimate in self care”.The importance of finding time for oneself to do the thing you love.The changing face of board sports: how they’re becoming more inclusive for girls and women. "Sliding sideways well in to our 70s" - you're never too old to try out these sports, but make sure you focus on strength and conditioning too. More about JoJo:@jojolecookAll Conditions Media@allconmediaGroups JoJo mentions:Lusty Surf Life Saving ClubJoin the Board Women movement:boardwomen.co@boardwomenHost: Caroline KeylockProducer: Selma ChalabiPhotography - Clare KeylockArtwork - Rozi Wan Rimli Music - Brother Brother by Benjamin Caleb Johnson, performed by BENSON

Danni Gallacher @danniinthewild is the founder of @girlskateuk and the exceedingly beautiful @theskateretreat which cleverly combines learning to skateboard in a natural and calm environment. Danni is an icon in the world of skateboarding, and this conversation gives a deep insight in to what has inspired Danni to do the work she does, and what she is planning next. Episode highlights:How Danni combined her love of nature and skateboarding to form the one of a kind @theskateretreat.Skateboarding as a teenage girl.Why she started @girlskateuk and how her role as a community builder has changed over time. How she’s ‘dug’ into her love of foraging and her new book ‘The Forager’s Almanac’.Why women need to break out of gender specific spaces when it comes to skateboarding.The growing space of skaters in later life.More about Danni:@danniinthewild@theskateretreat@girlskateuktheskateretreat.comgirlskateuk.comJoin the Board Women movement:boardwomen.co@boardwomenHost: Caroline KeylockProducer: Selma ChalabiPhotography - Clare KeylockArtwork - Rozi Wan Rimli Music - Brother Brother by Benjamin Caleb Johnson, performed by BENSON

This week’s episode is a bit longer than usual and features two guests - Harry and Nessy of Ride On Retreats - a luxury surf and yoga business. Both keen surfers, as well as beginner skateboarders, these lifelong friends bought the business from a mutual friend, and are busy turning their dream in to reality. It’s a really inspiring story. Episode highlights:How Nessy and Harry came to join forces and co-own Ride On Retreats. How they function as a team.Why they came so late to board sports, and the positive effect it is having on their lives and that of their families.The importance of family support as you try new things.The power of cold water swimming.The chair of awareness - Surfers Against Sewage.Take the first step - sign up for a lesson.More about Harry and Nessy:rideonretreats.com@rideonretreatsPlaces and people mentioned in the chat:Stockwell SkateparkYellow Hat Skate SchoolSurfers Against SewageJoin the Board Women movement:boardwomen.co@boardwomenHost: Caroline KeylockProducer: Selma ChalabiPhotography - Clare KeylockArtwork - Rozi Wan Rimli Music - Brother Brother by Benjamin Caleb Johnson, performed by BENSON

Host of the Everyday Adventure podcast and founder of Resilience At Work, Nicki Bass is an occupational psychologist and TEDx speaker. The focus of her work is to help organisations develop the leadership skills and resilience of their people. An ex-army officer, Nicki is also a talented snow boarder and surfer in her 40s. Episode highlights:Failure is an important part of learning.How the Everyday Adventure podcast came about.Reframing adventure - What does it bring to you? What’s the feeling you get? It can be found everywhere and in the every day. Finding awe and wonder in the every day.Recording the TEDx talk - it wrote itself.On being an army officer.Developing Resilience At Work - tips and tricks on developing resilience.Board Sports and resilience - going just beyond your point of comfort.Why women are now coming more to board sports.Get started by choosing something you love and starting small. More about Nicki:resilienceatwork.co.ukinsta: @everydayadventurepodTEDx talk: The Life Changing Power Of Everyday AdventuresJoin the Board Women movement: boardwomen.co@boardwomenHost: Caroline KeylockProducer: Selma ChalabiPhotography - Clare KeylockArtwork - Rozi Wan Rimli Music - Brother Brother by Benjamin Caleb Johnson, performed by BENSON

Caroline Paul is author of New York Times best seller The Gutsy Girl and more recently Tough Broad: from Boogie Boarding to Wing Walking - How outdoor adventure improves our lives as we age. Whether it be walking mindfully and with awe in your neighbourhood, bird watching, hiking, surfing, or wing walking, the stories in Caroline’s new book are truly inspirational. When we’re constantly told that ageing is a slow decline, these stories remind us that as we grow old, and responsibilities may start to fall away, we can have the time of our lives and age in a fulfilling way. Episode highlights:Falling on a one wheel.Tough Broad - a quest to change the narrative of ageing.Skateboarding through grief and loss.Wing Walking - seeking courage and finding ecstasy. Cultivating awe in your daily life.Simply being outside is good for you as you age - the science says so.Being in your 60s can be a great time of exploration and adventure. The five drivers of healthy ageing.More about Caroline:carolinepaul.cominsta: @carolinembpaulJoin the Board Women movement:boardwomen.co@boardwomenHost: Caroline KeylockProducer: Selma ChalabiPhotography - Clare KeylockArtwork - Rozi Wan Rimli Music - Brother Brother by Benjamin Caleb Johnson, performed by BENSON

Known for her amazing freestyle routines and tricks (including handstands on her board), Cornely @raizortail has competed in the European Championships, having taken up the sport in her late 30s.As a child she'd always wanted to skate, but she didn't want to stand out more than she already did, and so she decided not to. Now in her middle years, she's fully embracing 'dancing' with her board.Episode highlights:Getting in to skateboarding and joining forces with other women - Dorks On DecksGrowing up queer in a Christian family, and not wanting to stand out more.Freedom and energy - "skateboarding makes me a better mum, partner and worker".Freestyle skating is like a puzzle of tricks you shove in to one another - the weirder the better.Taking part in the European Championships.Skateboarding is like dancing.The skate community is such a warm and uplifting community - "I totally fit in".Cheer for each other and for every single baby step you take.More about Cornely:Insta: @raizortailGroups Cornely mentions:@dorksondecksJoin the Board Women movement:boardwomen.co@boardwomenHost: Caroline KeylockProducer: Selma ChalabiPhotography - Clare KeylockArtwork - Rozi Wan Rimli Music - Brother Brother by Benjamin Caleb Johnson, performed by BENSON

Introducing Board Women, the podcast - an exploration of women, board sports and confidence.Get on board. Join the movement.boardwomen.co@boardwomenHost - Caroline KeylockProducer - Selma ChalabiPhotography - Clare KeylockArtwork - Rozi Wan Rimli Music - Brother Brother by Benjamin Caleb Johnson, performed by BENSON

Get ready for the infamous @auntyskates. Oorbee is well known for her social media images and videos of flying along on a skateboard in a saree. Oorbee began her skating journey in her 40s after deciding she no longer wanted to sit on the sidelines, whilst her husband and children had fun. Now almost 50, she has made skateboarding her career, inspiring women around the globe with her teaching, retreats and Tiktok and Instagram posts. “I’m so freaking lucky that I get to call myself a skateboarder. This is not what I imagined my life to be at almost 50 years old.”Enjoy this half hour of infectious energy and enthusiasm, and tell us what you think. Episode highlights:The journey from being a kid who wasn’t allowed a bike to a women skating huge bowls.The unexpected rise to fame through social media posts going viral.Skateboarding through grief and loss.Coaching and encouraging others.Representation and skating.When you feel fear, that’s the time to take action.More about Oorbee:Insta: @auntyskatesauntyskates.comJoin the Board Women movement:boardwomen.co@boardwomenHost: Caroline KeylockProducer: Selma ChalabiPhotography - Clare KeylockArtwork - Rozi Wan Rimli Music - Brother Brother by Benjamin Caleb Johnson, performed by BENSON