Meet Natalie, an innovative Surf Therapy Provider based in San Diego. The ocean is an inseparable part of her life and has been the driving force behind the waves of change she has created in the realm of mental health. Since joining us in the Caribbean in 2016 she has become internationally recognised for her work and we wanted to catch up with her to find out more!
—
Tell us a bit about yourself!
I’m Natalie Small and I’m the Founder of Groundswell Community Project. Before my experience with eXXpedition, I worked as a therapist, social worker and even coached surfing on the side. Over time, I realised that I wanted to find a way to combine my background and passion in therapy with my love of the outdoors, whilst holding space for others to find their healing and belonging there as I did.
Photo: Bay Area Groundswell Surf Therapy Program 2017
How would you describe your superpower?
I’m able to look at the constellations and see how everything is connected. I help people reconnect to their bodies, to their community and to nature. The way we do things doesn’t have to fit into one box. Cultural constraints and expectations can remove the joy of creating. I find joy in being curious and looking back to nature and our ancestors to break down barriers and explore new and ancient approaches.
Credit: Nature of Surf Women
How did your journey with eXXpedition begin?
Joining eXXpedition was a pivotal shift in my life. I heard about it through my friend, and it just ticked all my boxes – sailing, ocean conservation, feminine community, and community empowerment! I grew up sailing with my dad and lived aboard a 28ft sail boat in San Diego at the time, but dreamt of doing longer passages.
The voyage was my first time travelling with a group of women. The proximity we lived in and challenges we faced allowed us to create a powerful connection. It helped me realise that when women come together, challenge themselves and push beyond their comfort zones, magic happens. When you’re out at sea, the things we use as ‘safety blankets’ are pulled back and we have a unique opportunity to be seen, heard and honoured exactly as who we are.
Photo: Hakuna wear photoshoot 2018
“It helped me realise that when women come together, challenge themselves and push beyond their comfort zones, magic happens.”
What was the most surprising thing you learnt during your Voyage?
The connection with government officials and big hotel chains. I was surprised by their openness and eagerness to learn and to have these important conversations. It was interesting to see what barriers were preventing change, things that are just part of the ‘system’ without being questioned. Without this ‘peek behind the curtain’, where we can see what and why decisions are being made, we wouldn’t be able to find effective solutions.
Has the experience influenced your work since?
Without doubt. The Groundswell Community Project sessions include a ‘Plastic Confession’ where we ask individuals to collect their plastic waste for one week. We look at our footprint, what that evokes and examine how ocean health and our health are interconnected.
Over the course of the session you notice emotive responses such as fear or even anger. Some just flop over and feel defeated by the enormity of it.
Being able to notice these different responses is how we begin to understand trauma, healing and how they are connected. Using our creativity, we discover tangible joy-filled changes that we can make that, though small, can make a big difference.
Credit: Nathan Weyland
Can you tell us about ‘Groundswell Community Project’?
Whenever I’m feeling big emotions; whether it’s joy, excitement, grief or even anger, I go to the ocean and she holds it all. Just being there helps me reconnect to myself and feel alive. These experiences made me question why therapy has this traditional set framework of being in an office and talking about your problems… especially when we could be in a place that gives you space to heal and connect with nature, self and others.
My time holding trauma therapy groups for women overcoming sexual abuse and trafficking, and guiding them back to the ocean for healing is what inspired the creation of Groundswell.
“The ocean doesn’t see your trauma, mental illnesses or what you’re going through. The ocean just sees you as a human and the waves are going to hit you just the same.”
With the help of others, I began to shift therapy sessions to the beach. It was amazing to see women who felt disconnected from their bodies feel suddenly empowered and strong for the first time. They were cheering each other on, congratulating and high-fiving each other!
The ocean doesn’t see your trauma, mental illnesses or what you’re going through. The ocean just sees you as a human and the waves are going to hit you just the same. We give women from all different backgrounds, experiences, professions and ages an opportunity to be without a label. Similar to eXXpedition, they experience a huge transformation and come out the other side stronger, more informed and connected.
We are the first organisation to provide certified Surf Therapy Trainings accredited by a therapy association. We’ve welcomed over 500 people to discover a deeper understanding of Surf Therapy as a practice for self and community.
What role do you feel our connection to the ocean has to play in the way we treat the environment?
Mental health and ocean conservation are inseparable. When you fall in love with your body and recognise the power your body has, you naturally want to take care of it. During this transformation, you witness people begin to understand that healing themselves is intertwined with healing what’s around them, nature.
Credit: Nathan Weyland
“We need to heal what is around us and what has come before us to set the stage for those that will come after us.”
There are some days when we can’t go in the ocean because of the pollution and we have conversations about why and what this means. It’s not just about ‘me’ at this very moment. We need to heal what is around us and what has come before us to set the stage for those that will come after us.
What has been the most surprising element of your mission when using nature to help heal others?
Some women have zero experience in the water which can cause a lot of fear or trauma to begin with. For example, we worked with a community of Syrian refugees and almost all of them had ocean-related trauma experience. So being able to reconnect to the ocean from a place of love, joy and feeling alive versus fear is so important to the journey.
Photo: Hakuna Wear 2017
“We are nature. And so what’s happening around us is also happening within us.”
What are your plans going forward?
I have a desire to get this approach recognised more widely as a form of therapy. I want to increase accessibility by bringing it into classrooms and universities too.
I’m also in the process of getting my Doula certificate. Birth in many cultures is seen as the first wave we surf. Though birth is an opportunity to reclaim the power of our femininity it can also be traumatic. Like surf therapy, I want to support the transformation of a potentially traumatic experience into a healing and empowering one.
Being able to support others in reclaiming their bodies and creating long-term sustainable joy and wildness through connection can build a positive future not just for us but nature too.
We are nature. And so what’s happening around us is also happening within us.
What keeps you hopeful about the future of the ocean?
There are so many more women engaging in the ocean through surfing, sailing or other forms of ocean interaction – reconnecting with their bodies and with nature. Those joy-filled relationships are what keep me hopeful.
Photo: Groundswell Community surf therapy program in Peru
If you could give one message to the world, what would it be?
Find joy in yourself and in nature and spend time there. Our body is a vessel to experiencing the beauty of life. Take time to learn the language of your body, she has so much to teach you!
