Koa Smith: Nature Did What Antidepressants Couldn't After He Nearly Died | TUH #288

About this video

Professional big-wave surfer Koa Smith discusses fear, a traumatic brain injury and the depression that followed it. Smith describes learning to face fear incrementally from childhood surfing, and credits meditation, time in nature and the ocean with restoring a sense of connection he says antidepressants did not give him; he and Brecka also discuss psychedelic experiences as a topic Smith credits with personal insight, alongside his view that similar states can be reached through sustained meditation and surrender. The episode is a personal recovery story, not a treatment guide.

Key takeaways

• Smith says fear must be faced repeatedly and that avoiding a wave leaves a worse feeling than attempting it
• He credits surfing, nature and meditation with helping him recover after a traumatic brain injury and depressive period
• Smith and Brecka discuss psychedelics as powerful but demanding tools, with Smith noting meditation can reach similar places more slowly
• Smith defines being an ultimate human as continually exploring one’s potential without letting fear set the limits

Episode details: published July 21, 2026 · 11.5K views · 1:00:43 long. Summary written by Self Growth Videos from the episode itself. Gary Brecka is a commercial health figure, not a physician. The claims described are Brecka’s or his guests’, presented for education — not medical advice and not endorsed by Self Growth Videos. Consult a qualified professional before changing your own health practices.

← Previous: Live at the Southern Utah Holistic Health Summit 2026 | TUH #287 · Next: You’ve Been Detoxing Wrong This Whole Time ft. Dr. Rahm, Dr. Kim & Dr. Peatross | TUH #289 →

All Gary Brecka videos · Gary Brecka profile · The Ultimate Human (official site)