World champion surfer Layne Beachley inspires with her new book, Awake Academy
Beloved seven-time world champion surfer and Queenscliff local Layne Beachley is know for her feats in the water. But many may not know that following her retirement after 19 years on the professional surfing circuit, Layne found herself lacking purpose. She filled the void that professional surfing left behind with a host of activities which eventually led to burnout – a situation she turned around over time by looking inwards and ‘doing the work.’
“I am an open book,” Layne, 53, says. “The majority of my story has been available in the public forum for a long time.
“I feel that when we share our stories, we help people feel less alone in their own pain.”
Now, the mental wellness advocate has shared her journey in Awake Academy, a book written with friend, Tess Brouwer, who overcame her own significant challenges following a major brain and spinal cord injury – the result of a skiing accident. It’s a step-by-step guide filled with practical activities, tips and advice for those looking to develop their mindset and embark on a journey of self-empowerment.
Both Layne and Tess are very open in the book, sharing everything from their personal diary entries, to details of the traumas they have both endured – and grown from.
“Essentially the book is a mirror for people to hold up for themselves and see themselves in it, and then ask themselves the questions that we ask ourselves,” Layne explains. “And go a little bit deeper than surface level to truly uncover what is either holding you back, or causing discomfort or inspiring you to continue to stay motivated.
“It’s not all anchored in negativity, it’s just anchored in positive psychology. And that is definitely one of the intentions – to inspire people to see themselves and do the work. Because doing the work is what helps you unlock your potential and live a happier, more purposeful life.”
Layne was there when Tess was at the lowest point in her life, lying in a hospital bed. In Awake Academy she recalls Layne visiting her, and giving her a journal, titled Live Your Dream Life. “She just thought I was so out of touch,” Layne recalls. “She’s there lying on her back, her whole life was completely shattered along with her spine, and here I am telling her that she can live a dream life.”
Layne explains that while she was honouring where Tess was at, she was empowering her ‘to choose to live a different future.’ “I was giving Tess a toolkit to make different decisions. And I know she looked at that book and went, ‘you’re out of touch,’ and she only wrote one thing in it – and that was to start a business.”
Five years on, Tess and Layne have a business they built together – Awake Academy, and they run workshops both online and in person for individuals and companies to overcome challenges and take ownership of who they want to be.
The information from the courses informed the book, which was released late last year.
“The rawness, the openness, the vulnerability, the strength – all of the things that Tess and I present are within every single one of us,” Layne says. “We just have to have the fortitude and the courage to tap into those aspects of ourselves.”
Awake Academy by Layne Beachley and Tess Brouwer is available at all good bookshops. Visit awakeacademy.com.au