Speaker Event & Podcast with Mayer Brown

Mayer Brown Speaker Event & Podcast

Welcome to Season 4 of our NextGen Talks podcast series.

In Episode 2, we are thrilled to welcome one of the world’s leading big wave surfers, Freddy Olander. In our conversation, Freddy shares his incredible journey from a career in business administration to conquering some of the planet’s most challenging waves. We delve into the pivotal moments that inspired his dramatic career shift and what it truly means to surf professionally.

We also discuss the role of resilience in overcoming challenges, the significance of having a reliable and supportive team during competitions and how Freddy makes calculated, risk-based decisions when selecting the perfect wave.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation that highlights the dedication, strategy and passion required to excel in the world of big wave surfing.

From Business Administration to the World’s Biggest Waves

The conversation explores the journey that few people would have predicted: a young man with a background in business administration who chose to pursue professional big wave surfing rather than a conventional career path. What looks from the outside like an irrational leap is, when examined closely, a highly calculated decision built on years of preparation, self-assessment and clear understanding of risk.

This is precisely what makes the conversation relevant for Mayer Brown’s audience of lawyers, business leaders and high-achieving professionals. The frameworks Freddy uses to assess risk in the ocean are the same frameworks that underpin sound decision-making in professional and business contexts.

“The biggest risks I have taken in my life were not the waves themselves. They were the decisions to change direction, to leave the conventional path and to commit fully to something most people thought was impossible.”