Meet Tyler Farnham

We were lucky to catch up with Tyler Farnham recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tyler , so happy you were able to devote some time to sharing your thoughts and wisdom with our community. So, we’ve always admired how you have seemingly never let nay-sayers or haters keep you down. Can you talk to us about how to persist despite the negative energy that so often is thrown at folks trying to do something special with their lives?
Focusing on journaling and listening to my music always made me feel like I was on the right path, no matter what anyone would tell me. It’s been 12 years since I made the decision to go against the societal norms of the USA, still not regretting a thing. Once coming back to America after 11 years of living in Asia I have a new perspective on life and how I’d like to live it. Although, its too foreign, too scary, too uncomfortable and too uncertain for most, its the only way I can see fit.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Born and raised in Cocoa Beach Florida surfing and skateboarding were my passions growing up, and still are.

I began Ocean lifeguarding at 24 years old with an end goal of becoming a firefighter. Although those plans were derailed when I had a near fatal skydiving accident in 2009.

The result, a parachute malfunction, high speed collision back to earth, and a medically induced coma. Five days after the coma I woke up on my 26th birthday with a new grim reality.
The compound fracture was so severe my right leg was nearly amputated, I snapped my left femur in half, broke my upper and lower right arm, shattered both my condyles, fractured my mandible, broke nine teeth that had to be extracted, and fractured my skull. My body was completely destroyed.

After the 11 month journey of recovery, I had heartbreak and Oxycontin dependency looming ahead in the following months. I won those battles through meditation, journaling, fitness, creating, learning and gratitude.

Once back to work lifeguarding, my team and I had a lifesaving rescue earning a valor award and lifeguard of the year in 2010. My surfing and skydiving resumed that same month, March of 2010.
This was also the same time I began working with Surfers for Autism, another life changing moment for me.

2012 I took an opportunity to work as an Ocean lifeguard in Australia, leaving my full time job, family and comfort zone.

Those 11 years away were the best times of my life. Elephants in Sri Lanka, 7 months surf coaching in China, UK, New Zealand, Australia and 9 years in Indonesia. Surf coaching, speaking at schools and leadership seminars, and even getting involved in stand up comedy.

My 8 year old dog is waiting for my return in Bali, along with 2 children in Australia.

As a surrogate father, I know my purpose in this life, to be a role model. Try my best each and every day, be kind and stay humble.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Saying yes to opportunity. Be authentic and true to yourself.
Leaving the comfort zone.

It took me until my late twenties to truly develop saying yes and leaving the comfort zone. When its scary, the rewards are much better. Discomfort is where the growth lives. When you can learn to live in that discomfort, your growth will be beyond your wildest dreams.
My advice, research how your hero’s1 got to where they are.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Currently working back on the beaches of Central Florida, I am looking to move forward with surfing therapy. I’m back teamed up with Surfers for Autism, a non profit here in Florida, established in 2007. I worked back in Bali Indonesia with the Green School doing a similar program, surfers for diversity.

I would like to expand a program into Asia, with special needs, PTSD, addiction and anyone looking for a therapeutic remedy besides pills.
My marketing is poor, along with math skills and computers. Although I have allot of knowledge when it comes to ocean saftey and the therapy that mother nature provides, the ocean.

Contact Info:

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