Matthew McConaughey Gave Surfer Griffin Colapinto This Golden Advice

This text is about surfer John John Florence taking a break for mental health and the outfits of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Team for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics. The team’s apparel will be designed by Polo Ralph Lauren for the ninth time, with CEO Sarah Hirshland and Chief Branding and Innovation Officer David Lauren expressing their excitement for the collaboration between fashion and sport on a global stage. The games will take place from July 26 to August 11 for the Olympics and from August 28 to September 8 for the Paralympics, with broadcasts available on NBC channels and Peacock. John John Florence emphasizes the importance of taking breaks when needed, as surfers and athletes cannot perform at their best if they are not fully present. He shares stories of fellow surfers who have taken steps out to prioritize their mental health and returned stronger.

As a devoted fan and supporter of surfing legend Griffin Colapinto, I can’t help but suggest an inspiring partnership. Why not have Matthew McConaughey lend his encouraging presence to aid Griffin in riding the crest of positive energy all the way to the 2024 Olympics?

The young athlete, aged 25, shared an inspiring account with TopMob News during an exclusive interview. He recounted his remarkable transformation from admiring an actor to sharing a wave with his child, and receiving a heartfelt acknowledgement from him just prior to a significant championship finale.

I became utterly captivated by Matthew after reading his memoir, Greenlights, in 2020. Our mutual passion for journaling struck a chord within me, and I couldn’t resist asking a trusted friend to facilitate the possibility of sharing some of my Cola Bros journals with Levi McConaughey, then just turning sixteen.

Friend and WSL analyst Strider Wasilewski shared with Griffin that Levi held a strong admiration for him and would undoubtedly be thrilled if Griffin made contact.

At Hawaii’s Oahu, where everyone was present, an unexpected turn of events had Griffin sharing the waves with Levi at the renowned Pipeline. They engaged in an enjoyable chat during this experience, which was a pleasure to experience, particularly since it involved Levi’s father.

Last summer, Matthew and Quicksilver worked together to create a shocking hype video for the surfer, which was unveiled just before the WSL final in September. The mutual enthusiasm was clear.

In a poetic and eloquent manner, the movie star expressed, “Griff, the roof is an artificial construction, and since you don’t have a cover, just take flight.”

As an avid fan and devoted follower of Griffin’s works, I recall him sharing with me once that his cherished chapter in the captivating book “Greenlights” is titled “A Roof Is a Man-Made Thing.”

Griffin shared that the idea was to avoid self-imposed restrictions and believing in one’s worthiness of success. In simpler terms, if you’ve come this far, you have the ability to progress even more, and it’s an exciting prospect.

During their conversation, the first surfer to make the cut for the 2024 US Olympic surfing team took the opportunity to seek advice from Matthew on handling the unwanted fame and attention that often accompany success.

Griffin acknowledged, “I’m far from achieving McConaughey-level recognition. However, during our visits to surf communities for events, we encounter fame and the constant requests for autographs and interactions from fans. These interruptions can make engaging in conversations with others quite difficult.”

When Matthew encounters a fan at an airport asking for a photograph, he graciously declines and instead offers to shake hands while requesting the person’s name.

“And when people see that he’s not taking photos,” Griffin added, “they end up bailing.”

If an actor is currently engaged in a conversation, he may signal to those wanting a selfie that they’ll need to be patient and allow him to complete the discussion first before taking a picture together. Typically, they oblige to this request.

I was amazed to notice that folks had to wait anywhere between thirty minutes to an hour of my arrival before I could take their photograph. Yet, I remained fully present in each conversation, making those moments special for everyone involved. If individuals chose to stay, I was more than happy to capture their memories afterwards.

The San Clemente, California native, Mitch Colapinto, who experienced his first wave at just 2 years old while riding tandem with his father, values all the wise sayings he has learned in life. He places equal importance on strengthening his mental resilience as he does on perfecting his physical abilities such as balance, which goes beyond being a mere skill for him on a surfboard.

In the past, surfers were often perceived as carefree rebels with a penchant for smoking marijuana, according to Griffin. However, this perspective shifted when Kelly Slater emerged on the scene. Instead of embracing the “pothead rebel” image, Slater prioritized health and fitness, ultimately becoming a dominant force in the sport.

Following Kelly’s achievements, people began to focus on strengthening their bodies. Soon enough, this trend spread, and many were dedicating themselves to maintaining their physical fitness. But what comes after that? The next logical step is mental conditioning.

When you fortify your mental resilience, you gain an even greater advantage over your competitors by being acutely self-aware of your emotions, Griffin explained. The mental aspect assumes significant importance in this context. You come to understand that if everyone adopted this approach, the overall well-being and happiness would significantly improve.

At the age of 19 in the year 2017, Griffin made history as the first American mainland surfer to claim the Triple Crown title in surfing since Kelly had achieved it back in 1998.

As I prepare for my inaugural Olympic experience, I’m thrilled that surfing is making its second appearance at the Games in Tokyo after a three-year absence. Amidst this excitement, I’ve made it a priority to openly discuss the importance of mental wellbeing.

I, along with my younger brother Crosby Colapinto, have been passionate about journaling and striving to become the best in the world at surfing. We’ve discovered a deep connection between these pursuits. In alignment with our values, we’ve chosen to collaborate with To Write Love on Her Arms, an organization that offers vital resources for individuals dealing with depression, addiction, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts.

The siblings’ advocacy efforts were noticed by P&G Good Everyday, a partner of the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics. As a result, they received one of P&G Good Everyday’s 20 Athletes for Good grants, totaling $24,000, which they can donate to TWLOHA.

Money, according to Griffin, has the power to significantly aid individuals facing difficult circumstances in life, who may be unable to cope or articulate their struggles.

And just reaching out in the first place can feel like an insurmountable obstacle, he acknowledged.

If you find yourself acting strange or out of sorts, people may react with curiosity or concern, thinking, “What’s wrong with him?” or “He’s certainly an odd one.” It can be terrifying to confront the inner turmoil that prevents you from being your authentic self. However, by avoiding these feelings, they only grow stronger, leading eventually to depression.

Griffin shared his experience, which isn’t too dissimilar from the ups and downs of adolescence, and commended TWLOHA’s weeklong interactive program, Between the Bells. This initiative encourages open discussions among high school students regarding mental health issues.

He pointed out that if you suppress traumatic experiences in your life, they may resurface unexpectedly and negatively impact you in the future. The film “Between the Bells” focuses on the emotional aspect of this issue by bringing together children to discuss their struggles and find solace in each other’s company.

He’ll bring along all the accumulated life experiences with him as he journeys to Tahiti for the Olympics, which surprisingly enough, is not in Paris but rather over 9,700 miles away, where the surfing events are being held.

Griffin, who was scheduled to travel to a French Polynesian island for a brief adjustment period before returning home to Orange County and making another trip for the Games, spoke calmly when conversing with TopMob.

“He remarked, after our eighth event this year on the World Championship Tour had concluded, that he was fully focused and committed. Maintaining self-discipline, strengthening his body, and keeping a clear mind were his top priorities. Consistently adhering to his routines and remaining balanced were key for him throughout.”

For those whose boats may not seem perfectly balanced before a competition, Griffin advises embracing that uneasiness, just as one would ride a wave.

I strongly recommend being mindful of your emotions and acknowledging what may be causing you distress. Consider jotting down your thoughts or finding a trusted confidant with whom you can share your feelings. Recognizing these emotions is an essential step in overcoming the challenges they present.

It’s important to pause and prioritize mental well-being, as Griffin emphasized, using the metaphor of “a beautiful thing.” He highlighted some surfers on the tour who have done this, explaining that without it, “you can’t truly perform” on the surfboard.

He remarked, “It’s impossible to straddle the fence in such a situation; it will only lead to being torn apart. However, those who take a bold step out and leave, often return with newfound strength, like experienced surfers.”

—Reporting by Nikaline McCarley

As Griffin gears up to don his (wetsuit) for the 2024 Olympics, take a peek at what every American athlete has planned for their attire during the opening and closing ceremonies:

In a statement for the press, Sarah Hirshland, CEO of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, praised Ralph Lauren’s latest designs. She explained that these creations not only encapsulate the quintessential American style but also embody the spirit and pride felt by Team USA members. As the athletes prepare for the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games, Hirshland noted that the iconic apparel represents unity and serves as an inspiration for both the team and their millions of fans.

Nine times over, Polo Ralph Lauren has served as the outfitter for the US Olympic and Paralympic Teams.

“Ralph Lauren is deeply privileged to set the style for the American team at this esteemed global event, as stated by Ralph Lauren’s Chief Branding and Innovation Officer, David Lauren, in the official announcement. Over the past five decades, Ralph Lauren has been a trailblazer where fashion and sports intersect. The energy, enthusiasm, and individuality expressed through sport have consistently served as major sources of motivation for our brand since the founding of the iconic Polo label in 1967.”

I’m thrilled to share that this coming summer, Paris will serve as the stunning setting where fashion and sports will intertwine on a global platform. The anticipation of witnessing this collision between style and athleticism is truly exhilarating.

From the 26th of July to the 11th of August in 2024, the Olympics in Paris will unfold. Following this, the Paralympic Games are scheduled from the 28th of August until the 8th of September. Spectators can catch these games on NBC broadcasts or stream them via Peacock.

2024-07-14 17:16

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