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Fishbird

@fishbird________

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Custom projects & special moments to start Sept

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My childhood was stitched together by fear.
Fear of what might happen.
Fear of what might never happen.
Fear of who would walk through the door carrying harm, and fear of who wouldn’t show up when I needed love.

The things I imagined in the dark started becoming real, and so I ran.

I spent years alone, running from everything, until at 14 I found a way to go numb.

That didn’t save me.
It carried me into addiction, suicidal tendencies, and addiction carried me through my life into my 30s.

At 36, I lost my leg, and nothing got easier.
I became a full-blown addict to my pain medication.
I lost hope.
I lost desire.
I lost dreams.
I lost myself.
All I wanted was a way out.
In those years I was terrified.
I had a family, beautiful kids, a wife.
But nothing got better, because I wasn’t doing anything to make it better.
I was hunting for proof that someone else was to blame.
Waiting for someone to come fix me. Believing someone needed to do something for me, when I wouldn’t even do something for myself.

Then came the day I chose to do it for myself.
That’s when everything changed. That’s when my steps steadied.
That’s when my inner words softened. That’s when I learned to do the small, hard things that carry a person through grief and back to gratitude.

And now I thank everything that tried to stop me. The fear taught me what courage feels like.
The addiction taught me what freedom costs.
The loss taught me what I’m willing to fight for.
The pain taught me how to heal. Nothing that tried to break me was wasted.
It all brought me here, to a place where I can finally say thank you.

#GratitudeForTheStruggle #FromPainToPurpose #RecoveryJourney #HealingOutLoud

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@andrew_cotty , in the thick of it ☠️

Last entry for this year's #WarriorsOfWinter by @downthelinesurf. It has been such a crazy Winter. Hopefully a few more crazy sessions left 🙌
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#surfphotography #carvemaglineup #wildatlanticway #sonyalpha

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this is it! 🌀

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Break free 🌀

@fishbird________

#BreakFree
#fishbird
#LiveWithPurpose
#WhatMakesYouFeelAlive
#InnerJourney

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Because of this awesome life of mine, I always walk the ropes and hold the line—
That little guy jumping over the road in front of me was the best ever
#keephammering #limblossawareness #ropes #mentalhealthawareness #play

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…

The new year.

A time for resolutions and fresh starts.

For me, it’s a reminder that some things don’t change.
You just get stronger.
I’ll still wake up every morning as an amputee. And that’s 100% okay.

I don’t ever wish for a new leg or a different life.

I wish for more strength – strength to handle life’s challenges, to push through pain, and to find inspiration in the darkest moments.

I want to be able to do more, to give more, and to live more.
I want to walk through anything that comes my way with courage, resilience, and determination. My hope is to turn obstacles into opportunities, to find the lesson in every struggle, and to emerge stronger on the other side.

Bring it THE FK on, new year.
I’m soooo ready
#limblossawareness #mentalhealthawareness #keephammering #motivation #pushupseveryday

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No highlight reel. 🌀

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WSL Nazaré Challenge.
Big, clean, powerful. Full team effort with @jamesscarew and @alemaodemaresias . The crowd and energy on the cliff were unreal all day.
Proud to finish 3rd on a day that didn’t always run smoothly. Late start, long periods on hold, surfing peak restrictions later in the event that changed the natural flow, and an early finish. Not something the crowd would’ve seen.
Bigger than results though. Nazaré delivered, and we wrapped it up with an unreal sunset free surf.

📸 1,2,3,6,7,8,9,10 @sam_sherring
📸4,5 @wsl

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Atlantic swells haven’t stopped.
After the big one rolled through, the energy didn’t fade. Nazaré just shifted gear, not tempo 😂

Stair runs ✅
Radio comms ✅
wipeouts ✅
rescues ✅
chaos ✅
RedBull 🪽
cliff-top vibes ✅
team support ✅
Training days ✅
warehouse ✅
non-stop energy✅

UK crew pushing on. The long range forecast is insane 🌊🤯🌀

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2010 ➜ 2025

Back to the original warehouse the same place we started with @mcnamara_s in 2010 and home again for the last few seasons.
Huge thanks to @praiadonortenazare for making it all possible.
This place still carries the energy of the early days the teamwork, the trust, the way everyone shows up for each other.
That’s what big wave surfing in Nazaré has always been about.
Grateful for @xtratuf , @dryrobe and @montkush for backing the warehouse project and keeping the space alive.
A solid base, an amazing lounge, and a place for the whole crew to come together before and after sessions.

Feeling lucky with this one.
Swipe to see then and now 🌀

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It was an honor to present at American Valor a Salute to Our Hero’s this weekend in DC. Make sure to catch the inspiring show on November 11th on @abc @cbstv @foxnation @nbc

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