2x ISA SUP Surfing Gold Medalist, APP World Champion, Real Estate Agent and exemplary Authenticity Advocate in Jacksonville, Florida
1. Tell us your name, where you were born, and your first memory you have from where you began!
Sean Poynter. Cincinnati, Ohio.
2. What were the overlaying cultural themes in your family? How did that align or differ to the communities you were surrounded by?
We were such a mutt of a family, we have Polish, Italian, Irish, German, etc and we never really adopted any ‘cultural’ traditions. If anything I would say our family had the ethos of homemade over anything. Be it in food or business. And, well, maybe this is an adoption of the Italian culture, because more times than not discussion in our family hovers around food and business.
3. What did you like least about where you grew up? What did you like most?
I don’t think there was anything that I disliked. At such a young age, you don’t know what you don’t know and I usually live in a positive mindset so I loved it all. Prolly the biggest thing would be my older brother who would pick on me and beat me up from time to time.
4. What was the first big idea you ever had? Did it come to fruition in some sense? That I wanted to become professional soccer player. I feel like I was en route to do that until we moved to Florida where those competitive leagues didn’t exist. It was then I was introduced to surfing and a new goal formed, be a professional surfer. That did come to fruition.
5. Who influenced your taste in expression as a child? How so? By large, it was a brand, Volcom. They were the edgy, youth movement brand that said F the world and were the rebels of the surfing world. I wanted to be a part of that. It was my influencer. I would imitate Bruce Irons by throwing up the middle finger when I claimed a wave. Getting the mohawk like Shawn Barney Barron. I was a sweet kid who was playing the punk roll for sure.
6. What was the first full album you purchased/found and couldn’t get enough of? What did it make you feel?
Geez, it was a Lynard Skynard album. I have no idea which one. It was a purchase out of pure unknowing of an artist. My uncle took my cousin and I to Walmart and made a mention of, “pick a record, I’ll buy it for you”. An hour earlier I was overhearing Free Bird and I went right into purchasing ol’ Lynard. It’s funny now though, I live in Jacksonville and a couple miles from my house is the Van Zant house.
7. What hobbies, sports, events, arts, were you drawn to before the age of 10? Do you feel like you’re still interacting with these same genres in your current time in life? Do you miss any of them?
Soccer. That was my bag. I loved it. That and rollerskating. Roller skating we had a lot of fun with that. We were the punks at the roller rink who would skate around the rink and during the love songs skate through the couples and break up them holding hands. We had a blast making ramps and playin hockey on em.
8. Who was your first best friend? What is your most vivid memory of your friendship?
Ol’ Peter Mooney, he was my partner in crime up in Cincinnati, there were a few of us that played and rolled as a pack but we surely spent the most time together. I remember a time when we were making a shortcut through the woods to go to the candy store and Peter happened to jump right onto a bees nest. The damn thing exploded with pissed bees stinging us. We ran out of there getting stung repeatedly. Peter had about 13 stings and I about 7. We got back to the house and his mom was putting baking soda on our stings and I remember Peter turned to me and hugged me. I thought it was weird. I came to find out later that Peter was allergic to bees and it could have gone bad for him. I realized that hug may of been a gesture of love for me if something were to go wrong. It registered in me the love that Peter had for me. I love that dude.
9. Where do you go to find your peace?
The Ocean. It’s my sanctuary of sorts. The place where I can turn it off and be one with now. It’s also a great place for reflection for me. It’s unusual that I get out and enjoy just the peace of it but those sessions when I’m out by myself and just out floating and taking it all in, those are the best.
10. What is a lifelong goal you can’t wait to start? What is it about it that brings you to life?
To help people and connect people on a grander scale. I’m working on it right now but it’s a lifelong goal and will take all of it.
11. Where do you wish to travel to that you have never been? Why?
Santorini. The views and blues and whites, some of my most favorite colors and settings -coastal towns.
12. How do you connect best with other people?
Common interests that we can discuss or take part in.
13. Favorite song of the moment?
Have Mercy by YBN Cordae
14. What are you most proud of at this exact moment in time?
That I’m getting closer to accomplishing my next goal.
15. What is the thing you are most shy about? What is the worst that could happen if you did it?
Sharing about myself! Lol. People to understand who I am or what I’m not.
16. What are the qualities that you value most in a friend today?
Care and thoughtfulness of you, and direction. Someone who is after something.
17. How do you find your personal calm in tumultuous times?
Faith. Talking to myself, the higher power to say I will get through this, cause really what’s the worst that can happen even if the worst is to happen.
18. What is your current greatest fear?
Being broke
19. What is your current greatest strength?
Drive to accomplish
20. What brings you the most joy?
Being with my loved ones, family, friends. In a setting where everyone is comfortable and enjoying themselves.
21. How does your current line of work support your core values?
The business that I’m creating right now is called Sold For A Difference. A certain % of earnings goes towards the local community, impoverished regions that lack support to create abundance. This falls right in line with my want to help people but in return it provides an outlet for me to get better as well.
22. What advice would you give your 10 year old self? What advice would your 10 year old self give you?
To my 10 year old self, ask yourself at the end of the day, did I do the best I could do today? 10 year old to me now, keep doing your best.
23. What projects are you working on now that you are most excited about? Why are they so valuable to you?
Sold For A Difference, as explained above.
24. Who would you have coffee with dead or alive? Why? Stephen R. Covey, Bob Proctor. Both have the fundamentals of life down in their unique ways. Stephen R Covey is author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and it’s a very powerful book -one of my favorites. Follow that book and you will live your best life hands down. Bob Proctor, the man of manifestation.
25. Who do you find most inspiring at this current time in your life? Financial experts, Entrepreneurs. Wealthy.
26. Do you have a morning or night routine? If so, why are they important to you?
Morning- roll, stretch (and meditation sometimes), prayer, self talk. Evening -read, ,write.
27. How do you best honor yourself?
By listening to myself and choosing to do what is best for me at the time.
28. What is the craziest thing you want to do?
Fly like Vincent Reffet on the jet pack. My ultimate dream.
29. What is your favorite meal to cook when you need something fast, and when you are ready to invest in the kitchen?
Fast, I mean, single man, pasta cooked with boiled carrots (for slight sweetness) sauce and beyond meat.
30. What are your favorite travel tips?
Always link up with locals! They will fill you in on the best stuff.
31. And of course, what is your go-to travel snack?
Anything that is portable. Simple. Ha! Sean currently resides in Jacksonville, Florida and can be found at @seanpoynter .
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