IN THE SPOTLIGHT: ELLIE BROOKS

Was it always your intention to be a pro Surfer? Where did it all begin?

I don’t think it was, I think it found me in a way. I was always a sporty kid, soccer, touch football, swimming… I’d give anything a go, a little tomboy I guess haha. I think Dad had me frolicking on a surfboard in the shallows at a young age, but he taught me when I was 10! I still remember my first wave that I caught all the way to the sand and looking back at him with so much excitement. My Mum and Dad also put me into surf lifesaving around 12 and I loved it, I was pretty competitive at that for a while but, my love for surfing took over, If Dad was going surfing so was I!

I didn’t really start competing till I was 15/16 in a few grom comps, I was a late bloomer when compared to a lot of the other kids who has been competing since they could walk haha. But that was the beginning, I got the bug big time.

As an elite athlete, there’s immense pressure to be physically and mentally fit at all times. As a lover of health and fitness, how do you balance it all whilst taking care of your mental health and wellbeing? 

For sure, there are a lot of boxes to tick and a lot of things to balance. A few years ago, I started working with a mental coach, and that was certainly game changing for me. I was around 18 which is a vulnerable age for a female. It taught me a lot about my subconscious and how important being mentally fit is. I love the physical side, I love training and aiming to be as fit as I can be, so much that sometimes I can forget about the mental side, but for me personally that is so much more important. It is easy to have negative self-talk, especially thought out competing when you’ve had a few losses but for me journaling, breath work and meditation and constantly practicing positive self-talk is so powerful. Especially having some great coaches around me. The power of the mind!! Never underestimate it.

What advice would you give to other young surfers wanting to get into professional surfing?

Be patient and just love the whole process of professional surfing. I wouldn’t be who I am without it. It has truly taught me so much. And to also make sure you give it 110%. If you give it your all you won’t have any doubt or coulda, shoulda, woulda moments  And of course TO HAVE FUN, enjoy every single moment, the good and that hard times. Some of my best memories are of the journey, the lugging of the board bags through airports, the culture, the new experiences!

What challenges did you come across in getting to where you are today? 

The losses are always challenging. Working so hard and not getting the result you want is heartbreaking, just trying to find what works best for you. Also, sickness and injuries, one of my first events was in china and I got incredibly sick, gastro, was in the bathroom for a week straight, I finally made the trek home and I guess my body was so run down I ended up with glandular fever. I was out for a few months recovering. That was a blessing in disguise though because I saw a naturopath and got my diet on track. That was basically the beginning of my health journey, I realised how much I loved learning about how fuelling our bodies with healthy food is so important.

Where to next? Any goals you can share with us?

I still have the goal of qualifying for the world surfing tour! That is the dream right there. I am currently close to graduating from my business degree and also just started up my own surf coaching and mentoring business “In Motion” for young girls so building that up as much as I can!

What quote do you live by?

I LOVE quotes so I don’t think I could just pick one haha but I try and live by gratitude! But some of my favourites are: “Learn from the past, prepare for the future, perform in the present”. “With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts” and “see it, believe it, achieve it” also another I like is “Act without expectation”.

What is your go to self-care ritual?

I love self-care, I think it is so important too. But I can’t go past a good magnesium bath! I also love all my essential oils and a face mask! I recently just had an ACL reconstruction so there is plenty of self-care going on here, I shaved my legs and the silkiness against my sheets when I got into bed was something else haha!

Can you tell us something that would surprise us about you?

I love gangster rap haha. My mum put my headphones in once I ran out for my heat and she was shocked haha. Tupac, the game, NWA. But I do love a variety of music, but I think most people would be shocked at that haha.

We live by the motto one action and one person CAN make a difference! Given your passion for our oceans, what is one small action you take to live a more sustainable life?

Limit your plastic! Small changes make a huge difference. Creating new sustainable habits are so important. And if you see rubbish, pick it up and put it in the bin!