Ryan was born and raised in South Bay, California, and has been surfing since the age of 6. Surfing was something he lost during the depths of his addiction and something he has since regained in his recovery. Early in recovery, he was reintroduced to surfing and instantly fell back in love with surfing and the ocean. It became a healthy outlet and a safe space to return to amidst all of the anxiety, stress, and fear that accompanies early sobriety and a significant lifestyle change. Surfing and connecting with the ocean provided him with a new lens through which to view recovery and the world. Surfing and going outside provided him with purpose, passion, and a new community to support him on his journey. It also gave him a new way to connect with people in recovery, taught him lessons about living in acceptance, and surrendering to external situations, and forced him to be present as he did so. It enabled him to connect for the first time with something greater than himself, and as a result, he began to focus on being of service by teaching other people to surf.

Sophie was born and raised overseas and fostered a passion for working with vulnerable populations and young people finding their path as a result of her own recovery. She learned to surf a few years ago and fell in love with the healing powers of the ocean and surfing.

Sophie and Ryan met on the beach and have found a way to merge their skills and passion for the greater good. Surfing and the ocean has been a huge part of recovery for both Sophie & Ryan. It has helped them find spiritual connection, community, purpose, freedom, gratitude, joy and so much more. Waves of Recovery came about naturally from their passion to help others and combining their skills - experiential therapy and surf coaching - and has now come full circle as a way that they give back to the community.