
What Am I Doing Now?
(Updated October 8, 2025, from home in La Seu d'Urgell, Catalunya)
Revisiting The Gold Medal Process
An important lesson I've learned on this life journey --> The Olympics have not changed; I have changed.
When I hear/see myself on a podcast in which I expand upon new perspectives and feelings about familiar life events, a life progression is more deeply felt and better understood. This conversation with Jacob Karnes on his Waves Business Coaching Podcast is a wonderful example. We never stray too far from my 1992 Olympic story but the take-aways are new and shared with an evolved sense of growth, connection, and creativity.
I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did! Watch via YouTube by clicking on screenshot below:

The Dance Of Teamwork
When surfing Waves in the sea, even on a one-person surfski, it feels like I am participating in a team sport - working with the Waves and not against them. I recently had the wonderful opportunity to join Cindy Skalicky on the Red Light, Green Light Podcast where we shifted metaphors from the sea to the familiar space of the River where we discussed the "Dance of Teamwork." This was a truly enjoyable exchange that dives deeply into our Olympic journey leading up to the 1992 Olympic Games and peeling back the challenging layers that come with the process of improving collaboration. Please enjoy our conversation on YouTube --> HERE.

In Front Of A Live Audience
Speaking in front of a group is something I used to do a lot. But since moving to Catalunya eight years ago, I've only done this just a few times... which made presenting last week to the Barcelona chapter of Entrepreneur's Organization a special experience for all of us. We dug into the what gets lost and misunderstood in the term, "High Performance," and how we can redefine in a way that works best of us... with a little more simplicity, connection, and kindness.
Collaborating in person with leaders and teams like EO Barcelona in the spirit of growth, connection, and transformation is something I enjoy and look forward to doing more in the future. If you would like to explore developing such a collaboration, let's talk!
(Since this presentation, one of the leaders in the group shared a special recap of the event on LinkedIn. Check it out --> HERE.)

A Surge Of Slalom
More than three years after publishing my book, Slalom: 6 River Classes About How To Confront Obstacles, Advance Amid Uncertainty, & Bring Focus To What Matters Most, it's common to see book sales decline over time... Which made the surge of sales in September a pleasant surprise.
Above seeing more people reading the book, this unexpected video book review on LinkedIn was a beautiful gift.
And not unrelated to the topic, sending all my best wishes to the Slalom athletes, coaches, and teams participating at the 2025 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships in Penrith, Australia - 25 years since the 2000 Olympic competition was stages at the same venue
A New Season Of Thinking In Waves Starts Is Underway...
We are just few essays into the new season of Thinking In Waves and I've already received some of the best replies and feedback since starting this project including this reader reflection via LinkedIn.
If you're not yet subscribed, it's a great time to join us, which is easy to do --> HERE.
For a visual look into the essays that I write and publish every week, this is what the acquisition of Free Energy feels like on the surfski via a beautiful downwind on Catalunya's Costa Brava a few weeks ago:
Also, I shared a fun video reel from a recent downwind adventure that shows a wider perspective of this amazing activity. Watch on Instagram --> HERE
Collaborations
Two collaborations in which I'm investing more time, energy, and resources are:
- The Outlier Project: This networking group based in the United States and founded by my friend, Scott MacGregor, is growing by leaps and bounds. So much so that Scott assembled a team of regional ambassadors to simplify and localize the member experience. I agreed to serve as the international ambassador to support our members living outside the US and Canada (like me.)
- Rios Lodge: This remote riverside retreat on Costa Rica's Pacuare River makes me smile every day... because of the smiles and reviews I see from our guests. I joined the ownership group of Rios Lodge a few years ago and since then, I've watched our leadership make improvements that are as good for the land as they are for our guests. The majority of our clients are retreat leaders who want to immerse their groups in Costa Rica's lush rain forest and enjoy a space that fosters disconnection and transformation. I look forward to hosting my own retreats here soon!

Joe Jacobi
Olympic Gold Medalist, Performance Coach & Author
Unlock Your Why, Achieve Impacting Wins, & Ride Spectacular Life Waves
Ready to position the art of surfing waves as a process for deep reflection and meaningful life transitions?
Subscribe to Thinking In Waves, my short weekly essay about the lessons and experiences that I learn surfing offshore waves on a surfski kayak transferred to an innovative model for clear thinking and better choices <— Short, fun, and memorable - new riders are always welcome!