As any surfer might tell you, a highlight of any surf trip is often the post-session feasting which will typically transpire after a long surf, the result of which being a ravenous appetite. One of the joys of surfing is arguably experiencing the richness of cultures of the surf destination, and that experience is often characterized by the cuisine of that spot.
Read MoreA recent challenge set by my friends at KEEN saw myself and buddy (and Editor of Cooler Magazine) Lou Boyd truss up our backpacks and shoes to see if we could find adventure with just a weekend to do it in.
Read MoreAgadir, Taghazout and its surrounding areas is a veritable treasure trove of adventure and wellness activities. The azure-hued oceans and gold-dust deserts rich in culture and with super-friendly locals makes it’s a no-brainer as a Mad To Live Retreats base. We’ve been exploring the epic terrain out here the last year and check out our guide to the top wellness and adventure activities.
Read MoreSummer is finally beginning to cast it's glow across what has been an unfathomably long and cold winter. Buoyed up by sunny vibes and a road trip to California, I've penned a piece for my fav women's all-time rock n' roll surf brand, Billabong Womens, hot off the back of the launch of their New Wave collection inspired by Billabong's long-time heritage in surf and the wild and rad bonds of a badass crew of friends.
Read MoreThe first budding blossoms of spring bring with it a taste of a summer to come, and with a hot spell stretching it’s giving touch across Europe to the UK, we were blessed with the hottest April on record for a Mad To Live hosted Seafolly Australia Retreat in Devon. Devon has long been one of my favourite places in the world to explore and adventure in, it’s clean waters, rambling expanses of lush green lands and vast unparalleled beauty.
Read MoreWellness, in its many guises, fads and fashions, seems to have well and truly adopted its western assumed cloak of green shakes, downward dogs, gluten-free-gilded £15 a-pop avocado eateries and butt-skimming lycra.
Read MoreRecent Mad To Live Reteats attendee and friend for life Natalia Fludra is a woman after our own heart. To me Natalia perfectly epitomises exactly what I have endeavoured to showcase about Mad To Live Retreats: being a modern, successful woman (Natalia works in law) who also is passionate about actively following her interests and dreams and does not sacrifice them.
Read MoreHow I love running women's surf retreats. It could be selfish but sheez, I am just getting to meet the MOST radical awesome ladies doing this, and making incredible new friends. So from a selfish perspective, I LOVE IT as I am making so many brilliant new friends, women that are inspiring me in turn to be creative and do epic things.
Read MoreThe latest leg of Mad To Live Retreats has just wrapped and I have waved off a group of some of the most incredible women I have been fortunate enough to spend time with, let alone be part of their adventure. Experiencing the highs of catching waves, pushing their limits and more, in the wildly raw and beautiful Nosara, Costa Rica.
Read MoreBali has stolen a little piece of my heart and on my last trip there in January this year I set off for a few days exploring the azure waters and cruisy waves of Nusa Dua. I decided to try out the awesome new Chanel J12 watch, captured by my great friend and insanely talented photographer, Crille Rask. This is the result of our day playing in the water.
Read MoreAfter a near two month hiatus from snowboarding through a combination of injuries and travels, come the first goldening of the leaves this autumn I had one thing on my mind: mountain adventures.
Read MoreIf you find yourself on travels for an extended period of time, whether it's making the most of a career break, the end of university, or have some time to make use of between jobs, sticking to a budget if you don't have income coming in can be daunting if you're on the road for a few months. Fresh off the boat, I've just completed 4 months travelling the world after a long 8 year stint working in London. I've compiled my best tips for how to best budget and be careful with your dollar whilst on the road below, followed by a dreamy video of an underwater adventure to Nusa Lembongan, meeting some of the extraordinary locals (below) whilst free diving.
Read MoreSo guys, I've emerged on the other side after a wildly righteous couple of months on the road and off the road in Latin America. Leavin' a little piece of my heart, my favourite shades and a whole heap of new friends, I've been piecing together the travel whirlwind that's been Latin America. Here's a run-down of what's been going down and a video high-light reel including bull-riding (a real taste of Costa Rican culture), a rosé ridden fishing and surf trip where we caught fresh tuna for a fish taco feast, and a balls-to-the-wall, high speed boat ride through the San Blas Islands in Panama to Colombia.
Read MoreThere's nothing like hustlin'/crowbarring a group of friends together for a workout. Training solo can sometimes get a little dry, and pulling together a homie or 2 for a group training session isn't just fun as heck, but can push you harder, as your amigos spur you on that extra bit.
Read MoreSince landing across the pond Latin-side I have been elbows deep gorging on a medley of quite frankly stupidly delicious meals and treats, getting my munch on and more than once (ahem) drownin' in the zestiest, saltiest, god damn zangiest Margaritas around.
Read MoreAfter a solid week out the mobile zone whilst I was off exploring the other-worldly islands of San Blas in Panama with the Kuna tribe (video to follow soon y'all!), fuelled by tasos of delicious Colombian coffee in Cartagena I have now finished the Costa Rica leg video edit for your viewin' pleasure!
Read MoreA few weeks back my crew and I packed our bags and hot-tailed it over to Asturias in Northern Spain in search of waves and warm autumn wanderings. I love to check out new spots, land in new airports, sample the different, so jumped at the prospect of a last-minute trip to a part of Spain I hadn't yet been to.
The raw beauty of Asturias was evident from the get-go, the landscape boasting a near Jurassic Park rugged wildness to it. Think endless lush green hills, verdant forests packed thick with trees, exposed stone faces and rich, warm earth. We headed straight to our lodgings for the first part of our trip, the Alamar Surf House in Salinas, run by the smiling & super-welcoming Caco & crew. A colonial-style house facing the beachbreak of Salinas, Alamar makes you feel at home straight away, with invitations to hostel dinners, the offer of board hire and heaps of tips on the local spots readily given.
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