“Johnson’s creative footprint has been instrumental in shaping not just Patagonia’s brand vision, but adventure culture as well”.
Jeff Johnson has surfed distant shores, climbed mountains you’ve never heard of and travelled to corners of the world most people couldn’t place on a map. All of this is impressive, but what is most striking about Johnson is his authenticity. This genuineness comes across in his photography, his film 180 South and his book Bend to Baja. He is not dazzled by the flash of today, but seeks the wisdom of those who are further down the path of life. In our conversation Jeff shares why he gets up early every day, how skateboarding shaped his outlook on life and work, and the inherent value of friends and mentors who inspire you to take stock of how you are living your days.
You may find yourself as I did after this conversation, stepping outside under the night sky with your bare feet on the earth just happy to have another day on this shared planet of ours. You can learn more about Jeff at jeffjohnsonstories.com.
Follow Jeff on Instagram: @jeffjohnson_beyondandback
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EPISODE SHOW NOTES
Books, Film and Social Media by Jeff Johnson
- 180 South: Conquerors of the Useless (Book)
- 180 South: Conquerors of the Useless (Movie)
- Bend to Baja: A Biofuel Powered Surfing and Climbing Road Trip (Book)
- Jeff’s Instagram
Resources Mentioned
- Thrasher Magazine
- Surfers Journal
- Knob Creek
- 180 South: Conquerors of the Useless
- Patagonia
- Factotum by Charles Bukowski
- The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles
- Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse
- Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy (Print or Audiobook)
- Solo Faces by James Salter
- Link to Jeff’s Instagram Post regarding his Dad
- Dave Eggers’ Article on ‘selling out’
People
- Malloy Brothers
- Yvon Chouinard
- Doug Tompkins
- Tom Curren
- Miki Dora
- Greg Noll
- Pat Curren
- Steve Caballero
- Tony Hawk
- Jay Adams
- Stacy Peralta
- Z-Boys
- Warren Harding
- Royal Robbins
- Gerry Lopez
- Laird Hamilton
- Shane Dorian
- Charles Bukowski
- Ernest Hemingway
- Gary Hemming
- Dave Eggers
- Tommy Caldwell
Practice
- Yoga, Reading, Writing and bare feet on the earth
Drink Pairing
- Coffee (though Tequila is Jeff’s drink of choice)
Highlights
- I read that you get up at 5am every day, why is that?
- When I was researching you the word that popped up most often was ‘authentic’, how does resonate with you?
- How the DIY skateboarding ethic play out in your work as a writer and photographer?
- What role does friendship and community play in kindling the examined life?
- What role have mentors played in your life?
- What specific lessons have you taken from Yvon Chouinard or Gerry Lopez?
- Do you have any specific practices that ground you?
- If someone were going to teach a class on the formation of Jeff Johnson, what 3 books that formed you would definitely be on that syllabus?
- What’s next on horizon for you?
Photo credit: Death to Stock Photo
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