Joseph Descans grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana, about as far from an ocean as a future big wave surfer could start. That did not stop him from eventually dropping into some of the heaviest waves on earth as a competitor in the K2 Challenge, where he learned early that fear is not a signal to stop, it is information you can use.

Off the water, Joseph built a career most audiences never expect: a freelance writer and editor, then a certified arborist and the owner of his own tree service business. That stretch of hands on work shaped a different kind of patience, and set him on a path toward writing, coaching, and eventually the stage.

Today Joseph is a certified speaker and coach with the John Maxwell Team, and a published author of two books. He speaks on four core topics: suicide prevention, goal setting, entrepreneurship, and inspiring youth, carrying the same message across boardrooms, conference stages, and school gyms. Over more than 15 years, he has spoken to more than 10,000 people, always bringing the same idea, that resilience is not a personality trait, it is a skill you can build one wave, one goal, and one setback at a time.

Joseph is based in San Diego, California, where he continues speaking, coaching, and writing.