Are You Serious? Excerpt

(Watch the full film here stabmag.com/pr...)
Brain injuries - or concussions, or TBIs - might be the most important, least talked about topic in surfing. In this excerpt of Are You Serious?, Sterling Spencer, Albee Layer and Shane Dorian share their experiences with something you've likely experienced in the water.
Are You Serious? - a 45-min documentary - is streaming now on Stab Premium.

[@MrPrunecandy]

Proud of Sterling for shedding light on this. Crazy seeing him be so serious but it needs to be addressed.

[@tubopedia]

For the sake of getting people talking about this, stab should release this to the public.

[@eganc1976]

God Bless Dr. Doug, I teared up when I heard the guy say that Dr. Doug "understood". Probably saved guys life then and there.

[@kembooo000]

Come on Stab this is not the kind of movies to hide behind a paywall

[@jonathancaliguire]

Dang there is such a hole in surfing content with this stuff. Thanks for covering this story.

[@P_Izenberg]

So sorry to hear about your injury Sterling. I remember surfing in the water with you in Malibu many years back and was just in awe at your skills. I'm happy to see you are getting the support you need and pushing for positive changes in the sport in the process.

[@LithiumBlock]

Thanks for posting this. Repeated head trauma can cause major issues and PCS has deep and lasting effects on much more than just their balance or headaches. A lot of groms still talk about concussions with pride, as I did. At some point I realized it wasn’t just me “getting old” but had a lot more to do with repeated head injuries and micro-concussions.

[@coldshoulder3753]

Previous to 2001 I had around 25 concussions from sk8 ,surf , snowboard , football ,fights, etc. In 01 during a heated snowboard park session I got a edge to the head due to a mid air collision. I was not coherent for 1 hr , it was 3 months before I could stand on a skateboard . To this day I still suffer from ocular migraines light sensitivity and depression. At 44 I'm still out charging the surf skate and the snow. But I am definitely aware that any session could be my last.

[@nonow1353]

I'm thinking that my 45 foot rodeo to head meets knuckle may have had some undiagnosed lasting impacts.

[@sullivanfachner1937]

Props man, ive had 3 concussions in my life and skate and surf almost every day. 22 and get awful migraines all the time. Last year i had one for 6 months straight.

[@john-nx4xn]

I've had concussions. Hard ones and little dingers. My last was not that bad of a fall. Lights bright, headaches, nausea and vertigo. Took 3 months to pass... Must be tough doing the things you love knowing one more fall could change u forever. Best of luck to you always.😊

[@josephparko]

@@john-nx4xnhey bro I’m dealing with vertigo from a concussion 6 weeks ago. I’m hoping it will pass and get better soon. So hard at work Especially at work in construction

[@john-nx4xn]

@@josephparko be careful extra careful. In general, concussions become easier and easier and hang around longer and longer. Ever hear of a fighter losing his chin? That's exactly what's happening to them. Being in construction must make a hard job harder. TC

[@Sol_Weird]

Wow! To be going through something to impactful, and life changing, and keep the attitude he has, and one of a kind sense of humor, is really an incredible thing. Awesome that your bringing attention to something almost never talked about.

[@lfc8277]

I suffered a head injury 5 years ago after being hit by a vehicle. I have had to learn to walk and talk again. Problems with dizziness balance and a great deal of visual problems. I wear prism lenses with sunglasses over top to help with light sensitivity. I also have a great deal of trouble in the grocery store in the aisle . It's very hard to stand up. Wearing a hat helps. But thank you for the video can't wait to see the rest. Hope for your recovery 🙏

[@OspreyVision]

I had post concussion syndrome from an auto accident in Mexico during a surf trip. I had to use a walker for 6 months afterwards, because I had vertigo. This was years ago and I regained my mobility and continued surfing up to this day, but I'm still dealing with the brain injury daily.......

[@davotulipan5335]

Very informative. Thank you to all involved with making this clip. As a surfer for almost 40 years, I appreciate the message.

[@MrTheGiant]

I found it quiet strange why everyone wasn't believing him at first but instantly had to simply remember my own childhood... where my parents use to teach me that if you make fun all the time of everything and every person no one takes you seriously if something is happening for real....! Hope he makes a full recovery and is back in the water in no time!

[@user-xr4jp3vl6o]

Its like your a GURU (was going to say surfgod) in the surfing community... You have done so much and keep contributing!!! you make the world a better place..... And you cousin is pretty rad too.

[@jeromeouellet6097]

Holy shit This is crazy. I went through something similar( still going through it) the only difference i a that I could still walk, but I had no energy and had to lay on my back every 10 min. Could work. Would have constant high anxiety and the feeling of having ducked it up forever. I also was vegan for 4 year, and at the peak of my symptoms my body went in duck it mode ,I was carving for milk, cream , meat. I would look at veggies and my brain was telling me" bro you will die of you eat more veggies". It's been going on for 2 and half year now ,but I'm on the getting better side of things since a year now. I started enjoying life more recently. I'm getting in touch with reality more and the send of doom is less intense. I known that on the long term ,I will be fine. Honestly feels like I had to fight to keep my sanity. Losing your mental health is a scary thing. Laughing , gladly , is something I can do now and it feels so darn good. Thanks a million time for that video. Some friends and family try to understand but they don't fully get it. Keep the stoke going !!!

[@Mywave840fla]

I 😢 when Albee talked about his head. You are the shit! ❤ this feature!!

[@Stylecounciler3000]

Thanks. Knowledge is king

[@scottcoolum]

Owen Wright has recovered so well from his , very inspiring !!

[@goddamaddog]

That’s crazy , all the best for your recovery

[@delamiket]

You guys should post the whole thing

[@perc3136]

I respect this dude so much, amazing dude.

[@daleharrison9357]

I had Side Injury after a heavy fall on concrete, to which I lost everything! Nerve damage led to further damage, eventually ended up damaging the brain like a tear. I walked along the cold section of the Supermarket to where I literally froze down the injured side. I grimaced in pain composed myself after about 20-30 seconds, then headed to the checkout! :(

[@RudiAlt]

It‘s great that you are raising awareness since many underestimate the risk of brain injuries but promoting pseudo science like „chiropractic neurology“ isn‘t the way to go. Please consult with experts who work on a factual scientific basis when doing these kind of videos.

[@hunterdavis3003]

This is nothing like what pro surfers experience BUT I took a couple of like “whiplash slams” on the east coast during hurricane frank. I remember thinking damn that really rang my bell. I think head injuries in surfing are much more prominent than we are willing to acknowledge

[@john-nx4xn]

We are our brains. Consciousness is an emergent property. There is no duality. Hope this young man not only makes a full recovery but as a result of his injury becomes even more of an amazing person. One day at a time...

[@toddread2112]

DR Shark guided you to Dr Brown what an Amazing Journey. God Bless you and your Family, Much Love, Aloha and Great waves to you Sterling

[@dallascowboy23]

I got my brain injury from a basketball to the back of the head from the other end of the court. Been 4 years and I keep getting worse. It also triggered dysautonomia\pots, mecfs, fibromyalgia and other stuff that's not diagnosed yet. I'm housebound. I hate it so much.

[@christophehardy2085]

Really good job.thanks.use to Wear more my skate/slab surf helmet

[@scottfoster3548]

Relevant topic. They have taken Brain MRI of traumatic brain injury TBI patients and the findings reveal large white matter regions THEN subject to a period of hyper-oxygen therapy and update MRI and found way less white matter. Possibly reversing TBI. Football and Motocross are ahead of surfing in this area.

[@bucklesfilms]

Ive had brain injuries probably like 10 due to bmx n motocross. I had one really bad probably 5 years ago where a face planted hard and it didnt hit any of my helmet. Ive felt off and just kind of out it since then. I think ive been kinda depressed since then to be honest. The overwhelming part is really true to me and im sick of it because it is all the time. Still kind of embarrassed to get help mentally off and body seems like it is always awkward and doesnt perform the way i want it to.

[@tylercox4387]

This movie needs to be available for everyone. Please remove the paywall.

[@beauluftenburg3167]

Im just glad to see your ok. An that somone els doubles up their lokes. 😎

[@Jim-mp3og]

I'm going through it right now You have confirmed what has happened to me. My story is Slightly different but I have slowly lost everything and everybody. I am literally on the verge of being on the streets It happened at work and through insurance they covered the physical part of my injury But not treating the mental side of things. So I lost my job eventually I am dead Broke and in crippling debt. major depressed. Nobody gives a shit and doesn't believe I have a problem. Everyone just thinks I'm being lazy. My girlfriend the love of my life tried to be supportive, But in the end she gave up and hates me, wants nothing to do with me and it's not her fault. I can't blame her because of how it seems from the outside.

[@greatlakeblake]

awesome, thanks

[@Surfweinerhawaii]

Had a buddy also say he would become overwhelmed in stores after his brain injury.

[@unkletonyahearns179]

I was a wise ass jock at 4 foot tall at least seven concussions… And the Navy deep-sea diver on top of it… My CTE is bad… No memory… Essential tremors… They think I’m headed for MS… Only Dale, Earnhardt, Junior, and Sterling have a shed any light on head injuries… Just saying

[@terenceflynn5125]

SS is a beautiful creature that needs our protection.

[@stevenbeecheymusic]

Dr. Shark?

[@tyeauga]

Bummer this can only be watched with a subscription to a streaming services

[@edwardsimons6732]

That’s crazy I just seen foley Alabama on stab please go like 10 min down the road to orange beach and check the local break

[@xisotopex]

"dr shark"??? LMFAO

[@ppg4667]

I don't know how ppl eat shit in the barrel at monster pipe or Chopes and function the next day, I got wrecked in Nica on not my biggest wave but def the deepest widest barrel I've been in and that shit had me walking up to the car like I was drunk.

[@richardward2469]

You rock the dad bod bro 🤟🤟🦦🦦💖💖

[@benjaminhouser4316]

Is there a Dr like that in Orlando Florida I've had 6full on brain surgeries from tbi I could use a doc like that

[@nelsonevans5175]

How do we get help with no money and no insurance I struggle to pay bills and insurance is insane expensive!! I’ve had so many head injuries it’s not funny I get dizzy and have to lay down I can’t remember anything anymore 😢no back story here.. was just rough on myself for a long time and it’s starting to scare me I want to at least find a program to help it heal like Mr. Sterling Spencer has bc he’s better now and I want to be better

[@roostersurf]

I think a lot of people not just surfers would benefit from watching this entire film. Any way it can be released for all viewers not just premium members.

[@flatulente9329]

Neurology chiropractor?!?

[@gstream8441]

I think the scooter in the grocery store thing was a joke. He can’t help it!

[@whatmemories3728]

Heavy stuff!

[@davidtettleton2732]

Im thinking the topic doesnt sell wetsuits or boards , surflessons etc so we havent been hearing about , not only brain but other injuries to the back. In some of my jobs i do if i even , ALMOST, get injured its axwakeup call. Ive failed...made a huge mistake. Somehow surfing has been pushed...

[@helenamoniqueclarke8135]

Yay, something else macho where men don't talk about their feelings, just what was needed. Keto for your brain.💯

[@generalmayhem8318]

Truth

[@robinhooduk8255]

im his biggest podcast fan but im half way through this and still cant tell if its real or a bit. literally everything he says is funny, "your brain needs animal fat to heal" if joe rogan said it i wouldnt bat an eyelid but sterling saying it makes it comical.

[@dominiquebeninca3449]

Oh shit 😮

[@Bronchiosis]

Imagine having your brain washed and rewired by people instead of waves... You'd probably want to surf more.

[@timkeane2907]

Goes to show you care more about the money vs culture and well being of surfers

[@erringent]

This is really sad. I hope Sterling can get better soon. The important issue here is that helmets need to be normalized in surfing.

[@timkeane2907]

Stab you should be ashamed of yourselves. An inquiry about brain injuries that you have to pay for premium to receive all the information that could affect the rest of our lives! Disgusting 🤢

[@0warami_7oo]

do you need some tissues?

[@boogieheads]

@@0warami_7oo stabs going to need some

[@travishancock2302]

I can never tell if he’s just playing a bit on me…?

[@cwr8618]

People throw the term genius around a little too loosely

[@alienzordfalcon5162]

Do you know Sterls? I agree w/ u but he can be considered a surf comedic genius. He is the one who did the Jeremy Flores voiceover from back in the day

[@cwr8618]

@@alienzordfalcon5162 just be extension. I was stationed in pensacola and got to know some folks in the surf community. he's funny for sure. seems just as awkward

[@buffalosolider206]

would helmets help??

[@buffalosolider206]

the brain needs animal fat intereting

[@richardward2469]

It would be a real shame if trump choked on a Big Mac.😳😳

[@ChickenJoe-tq6xd]

Would be even better if Biden go bye bye from dementia

[@raff23able]

Why does this still feel like he’s joking 😩

[@dacat867]

He is?

[@perc3136]

Tf?

[@MikeGoesBadaBoom]

You know the rules

[@richardward2469]

That lady had her fucking arm bitten off by a shark,she deserves RESPECT.💖💖💖🤟🤟🤟🤟☯️🦦

[@richardward2469]

Bethany Hamilton thoughts on the wsl are wise words.🤟🤟🤟🤟🤟💖💖💖💖🦦☯️🪼