NH: What are some simple activities that consistently make you happier?
JB: Playing poker, surfing, fishing, going to concerts, and raising awareness for Life Rolls On. Honestly, I live, eat, breathe, sleep Life Rolls On, and to be able to share the story, to be able to raise money, to be able to raise exposure – I do that everywhere. Everybody I meet, I talk about my life, but I talk about Life Rolls On, because that is my life. When you’re dealing with a Foundation, and you’re dealing with a company, a brand, if you don’t eat, sleep, breathe it, it’s going to get swallowed up by every other company or foundation out there. You have to believe in it before anybody else can believe in it.
What is your definition of happiness?
Warm weather, soft skin, a full house, a big fish, and a beautiful wave.
What’s something you know about happiness now that you did not know at 25 years old?
You don’t need to go out as much, you don’t need all the money you thought, you don’t need all the jewelry, or the flashiness. Being happy could be sitting in the sun, throwing a rod in the ocean, watching a movie with your loved one. I wish I knew what I know now back in the day. I’d be ahead of my game.
What does “stoke” mean to you?
Being comfortable, and being comfortable for me is being warm. Being able to do the things I love. To challenge myself, be competitive, to be challenged mentally. Learning new things and meeting new people. Those are the things that “stoke” me.
What do you think is most important in life?
The most important things in life are your health and your own happiness. Without those two things, you can’t really put out positive energy. If you don’t put out positive energy, you’re going to get negative energy. Whatever you put out into the world is what you’re going to get back. And some of the most important things in life are finding out what your passion is, and believing in yourself. That confidence is what is going to take you to the next level. If you don’t believe in yourself, you’re not confident, and you’re not a leader, then that’s how people are going to perceive you. And you don’t want that.
So you believe that what you put out is what you get back?
Yep.
Why do you think we’re here?
We are here to procreate as much as possible. No, we’re all here to help each other out. To make everybody’s life beautiful. Everybody deserves to be healthy. Everybody deserves to be financially set. Everybody deserves to do what they love. And there are people out there to help you. There are people out there that feel they have to do things by themselves. But that’s not true because everybody needs help. No matter if you’re young, old, strong, weak, rich, poor. Everybody needs help in everything in life. And never feel afraid to ask, because one day it’s going to be them who’s asking, so help each other out now, you know?
Do you believe in a higher power?
Do I believe in a higher power? Yeah, I believe in a higher power. Like the beautiful storm system that brings in beautiful waves, or the power behind that fish going, “Man, I want to bite your line today.” But, I’m not really religious, I’m more spiritual in the way that I think life is beautiful, and there is opportunity for everybody. Maybe things happen for a reason. Maybe, maybe. And if, right now, that’s the reason that I’m paralyzed, I think I’m answering to the God above. I think I’m doing the right thing. Because at the end of the day, I’m the only one who really knows if I’m doing the right thing, and I have to put my head on my pillow and fall asleep and share my life with the people that I love. And if I’m not doing it right, it’s going to be an uncomfortable, unhappy life. I’m super happy, and I’m good, so I must be doing everything right.
