“Be kind to your mind, be kind to others, and be kind to the environment.”
Cooper Chapman Tweet
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IN THIS EPISODE
In this episode, Dr Espen is joined by professional surfer and mental health advocate Cooper Chapman who opens up about his journey and insights on mental health. He talks about the daily rituals that keep him grounded and the concept of “flow state” in surfing. Cooper also shares how his family’s history has shaped his understanding of mental illness. Dr Espen steers the conversation, emphasizing mindfulness and proactive mental health practices. They discuss the difference between mental health and mental illness, promoting daily habits for well-being and the importance of staying present in life.
00:00:00 – Episode trailer
00:01:08 – The neuroscience behind flow state and its relation to surfing
00:02:42 – Cooper’s journey in surfing and mental health
00:05:59 – How surfing helps achieve a flow state
00:08:37 – Highlight of Cooper’s career
00:13:48 – Mental Health vs. Mental Illness
00:17:43 – Understanding Self-Worth as a pro surfer
00:18:32 – Identifying personal values beyond professional achievements
00:19:23 – Impact of youth suicide
00:22:38 – 1% of your day for mental health concept
00:25:04 – Importance of practicing gratitude
00:28:57 – Statistics on negative thoughts
00:35:47 – Plans for workshops for youth engagement
00:39:28 – 14 Daily healthy habits
00:41:38 – Cooper’s final message to the World
With over a decade of experience as a professional surfer, Cooper has a knack for making mental health not just important, but cool. Growing up in Narrabeen, New South Wales, Australia, Cooper’s passion for mental health advocacy was sparked by personal experiences, including his father’s struggle with depression and his little sister losing two friends to suicide in her last year of high school.
Since 2019, Cooper has dedicated himself to transforming mental health awareness and education. He has conducted extensive interviews with over 100 experts, continuously expanding his knowledge to deliver practical and accessible mental health strategies. Cooper emphasizes that mental health is not the same as mental illness; it is something we all have and should actively care for daily. His engaging approach makes complex mental health topics understandable and actionable for students, empowering them to lead happier and more fulfilling lives.
To date, Cooper has spoken to over 40,000 students, receiving extensive positive feedback and data that highlight the significant impact of his work.
Find out more about Cooper Chapman:
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