Steemit Voices returns this week with more inspiration for living a full and healthy life! Much can be learned from listening to the views and experiences of others, particularly people like @surfermarly, who is living proof we can have all the adventures of our dreams, if only we can gather the courage from within ourselves and take that faithful leap!

This interview series picks the brains of our fellow Steemians, sharing valuable knowledge, expertise, and personal health testimonies that can benefit us all!

Last time we chatted vegan blogger and health-enthusiast @heart-to-heart... If you missed it you can read the interview here.

This week we talk to @surfermarly in the Canary Islands: the highly-inspirational surfergirl, eternal optimist, Steem Ambassador, and founder of the Steem charity @dreamsoftheocean! There's nothing this woman cannot do when she sets her mind to it!

1. You've been on Steemit for 2 years now – can you tell us a little about what kind of things you blog about and the motivation behind it?

First of all, thanks a lot for having me @woman-onthe-wing! My blog has been constantly developing over the years, but it's actually a mirror of my own life. I'm an expat living on Canary Islands, and the fact that I'm now living the life of my dreams enables me to motivate others to find their passion and go for it.

2. Your enthusiasm for adventure, living life to the full, following one's bliss is truly inspiring! How do you think this kind of attitude affects one's overall health and well-being?

Thanks for the compliment and excellent question! I'm 100% convinced that a considerable part of our health system is controlled by the mind. I can only speak for myself, but the island life has even helped me to overcome a couple of chronic health issues (without needing any medicine). Besides these hard facts, I've really become a different person: more self-confident and laid-back.

3. How would you describe the effects of leaving behind your 'old life' and moving to the Canary Islands?

Well many of us believe that there is a life that's "meant for us", but I think that's a myth. There is no such thing as destiny, and there is also nothing we have to do. There are options we can choose from. Leaving my old life behind was a statement to say: "Alright I thought I would become a Business Consultant and drive expensive cars, but actually all I ever wanted is to be wearing flip flops."

4. What advice would you give to others who have dreams about changing their lives, but feel practical considerations, family/social responsibilities, work, etc prevents that 'leap of faith'? Is following one's dreams a luxury for the few, or an achievable reality for anyone who wants it?

Great question! People generally don't like change, because it's more comfy to leave everything as it is, even thought it's actually not "perfect" to us. It requires a lot of courage to make life changing decisions, especially when you're assuming the responsibilities you just mentioned. My dad is a great evidence in that context: In 1997 he quit his job, sold our house, took his wife and three kids and followed his dream. Apparently these steps require a lot of efforts, but to regret having missed the life of your dreams is worse. I'm convinced that dreams are not reserved for a few, but it's on us to turn them into reality.

5. Surfing must take quite a bit of physical and mental preparation and exertion – what kind of things do you do to look after your body and general health?

I've noticed that my body weight has an influence on my surfing, which is why I especially try to keep my shape in summer, avoiding sugar and grease. If I wasn't spending so much time on Steem, I'd probably start doing a yoga class. That's definitely the ideal preparation for surfers combining physical and mental training.

6. Is diet an important consideration for you? Do you follow any particular 'diet' or avoid certain foods?

Honestly, my way of living is: "There is no such thing as a must." I've never been on a diet in my life and also don't believe that it makes too much sense in general. I prefer to not miss a thing, but also don't carry things to extremes. I've even been eating a doughnut in one of my vlogs on Steemit, so I'm not a good example at all - haha!

7. You wrote an interesting piece about how 'peak experiences' like surfing can prevent suicide – can you personally testify to its significant positive impact upon mental well-being, or know of others who have 'saved their lives' so to speak from surfing (or other 'peak experiences'?)

People who consider ending their lives have gone through the worst and now they can't find a way to get out of it by themselves. Natural environments (such as forests, beaches, etc.) are often considered in therapy. You may google "forest therapy" for instance that is practiced a lot in Japan. These places provide a high level of oxygen and enable people to live what is called a "present-moment experience". Many of our problems are only taking place in our heads, stepping out of that head and starting to live the "here and now" helps to solve them.

8. What has been your best/most memorable surfing experience?

There have been many, but my best experience is probably always the last best wave. That moment when the wave starts to push you and you realize that you started paddling into it at the perfect spot, is like being born over and over again.

9. You founded the charity @dreamsoftheocean – can you tell us about this, its impact already in the lives of children, and how we can get involved or offer support?

That project has really become my baby! It's a privilege living close to the Ocean and getting in touch with Mother Nature over and over again for the above mentioned reasons. That's why I decided to start a crowdfunding for kids who were born into rather unfortunate circumstances which don't enable them to swim, surf, play at the beach whenever they want. Dreams of the Ocean is a charity that finances watersports activities for kids here on the island of Lanzarote. I'm happy and proud to say that we've just covered all the costs for our next event only by donations from the Steem community. Starting from Monday 23rd of July we'll be offering a swim training for 14 kids. It's an amazing feeling to know that we're going to change the lives of these 14 little ones forever. To me that's the very best about Steem actually.

10. Do you have any hopes for the future regarding any of your projects/missions on Steemit or 'out there' in the world? What's next for @surfermarly?

I don't have any wishes for @surfermarly particularly, but I'd love to see the old community spirit coming back to Steem. That's the reason why I decided to become a Steem Ambassador recently. I think we're quite good at recruiting new people, but we can do much better at keeping and entertaining the ones that are already here. Starting from January 2019 there will be some bigger changes in my private life, so probably 2018 will become something like my "final spurt" on Steem - reason enough to go all-in.