Christa Funk
Christa Funk went from the Coast Guard to becoming one of the top names in surf photography. Her story is not just about her career, but also about grief, faith, and the mental challenges she has faced along the way.
In this interview, she speaks openly about difficult chapters in her life, the drive that almost pushed her too far, and the mindset that helped her move forward to document some of the most important moments in big-wave surfing.
Foundations of Mental Strength
When did you first realize that mental resilience was just as crucial - if not more - than physical skill?
You have to stay completely focused on your surroundings when shooting in the ocean. The first time I brought a camera into the water, I realized how quickly conditions can shift and how easily a lapse in awareness can lead to injury. Without that constant focus, you put yourself at real risk.
What's the toughest mental challenge you've ever faced, and how did you push through it?
That moment happened around 2017, but there was a long build-up to it. Back in 2014, I went through a horrible experience in the Coast Guard. At the same time, I wasn’t processing what had happened when my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. She survived, but less than a year after she was declared cancer-free, my dad was diagnosed with stage 4 aggressive cancer. It felt like everything was piling on at once, and I sank into a deep depression.
If the waves were good, I’d head out after work, shoot until dark, edit until 1 a.m., then wake up at 4 a.m. for work. I was obsessively driven to shoot, addicted to the escape it gave me. But when the waves weren’t good, I’d shut the blinds, lie in bed, and withdraw. I wasn’t sleeping, my eating habits fell apart, and at my lowest, I felt like I was trapped alone at the bottom of a dark well.
Through all of it, I kept praying. I felt like God was giving me a light at the surface, and I had to keep focusing on that to climb out. Depression is ugly, and battling that mindset is exhausting. My recovery wasn’t neat or quick—it often felt like rising up only to be knocked back down again. There were so many moments I could have stopped trying, but I held on to my faith, and that’s what kept me moving forward.
Quickfire Takeaways
Resilience isn’t about being unshakable - it’s about acknowledging the hard moments, adapting, and finding the strength to continue.
Practice self-compassion when you fall short. Give yourself grace. Failure isn’t proof you can’t accomplish your goals; rather, failure provides insight into what you need in order to grow and improve.
Side note: I’m constantly working on self-compassion. When I fail, my first instinct is to get angry at myself. I have to make it a point to step back and see it as a chance to learn.
Peter Pan is one of my favorite books. This line has stayed with me since I first read it in middle school: “The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease for ever to be able to do it.”
Can you share a specific moment where your mindset made the difference between success and failure,
During the 2021 season, a massive swell hit—big enough to run the Eddie, but the event wasn’t allowed to happen because of Covid. That day, I was shooting stills for Red Bull Magnitude, a women’s big-wave digital surfing event that ran through the winter months. The women had chosen to surf Waimea, and I stood on the beach debating whether there was enough time between sets for me to make it out to the lineup.
I believed I could, but choosing the right window is always an educated guess. When I finally committed to the swim, I knew there was no room for hesitation. I locked my focus onto my landmarks and imagined them pulling me forward with every stroke. I didn’t allow myself even a moment to think about failing—because if I had, I was sure that doubt would have kept me from leaving the beach.
That determination, along with the lessons from my past experiences, carried me through to the lineup to shoot that day
60-Second Tools Anyone Can Use
I take a deep breath and assess my surroundings. If I need to relocate to manage the stress, I find a way to do that so I can calm down. I remind myself that haste makes waste - slow is fast. By staying composed and reacting effectively, I avoid having to start over what I’m working on or making a situation worse.
Take a second to think about all the training and preparation you’ve done, and bring that to the front of your mind. In those moments, I tell myself, “trust yourself.” I’m not perfect and sometimes my first reaction is, “oh fuck.” But then I stop and remind myself, “you know what you’re doing. Breathe. The solution is there. Relax and review what’s happening.”
What internal dialogue or thought process do you rely on to stay grounded when things don't go as planned?
When things don’t go as planned, I tell myself one simple thing: relax. Nine times out of ten, that’s exactly what I need to calm down.
In diving, before heading to the bottom, I focus on deep breaths – slowing everything down, calming my body, and conserving energy to make the most of each breath hold. When I’m held under by a wave, I tap into that same mental space. I relax every part of my body that isn’t holding the camera and lean into the moment rather than fight it.
Panic or resistance only burns through oxygen faster, making the situation far more dangerous. Staying calm and conserving energy is what keeps me safe.
Have you experienced self-doubt or fear in critical situations? How do you reframe those feelings and regain control?
Yes, I have. There have been moments where I’ve frozen and had to pull myself out of self-doubt or fear. Afterwards, I’ll talk through the experience with my husband, who was an emergency responder and never hesitates to give honest feedback. It can be tough to hear when my hesitation made a situation worse, but those conversations are valuable. Learning from the times I’ve frozen has taught me how to respond more effectively if I face something similar in the future.
Tools & Techniques for Mental Resilience
What specific techniques do you use to stay mentally sharp and focused?
My mind tends to jump all over the place, but when I’m shooting or editing I can lock in completely. In other areas of life, things feel scattered, so I keep my approach simple. When I need to focus, I write a to-do list, take ten deep breaths, and reset. When I need sharpness and energy while working, I lean on coffee.
The truth is, I have untreated ADHD. While it brings challenges, it has shaped many of my cognitive and creative strengths. Learning to navigate those challenges has ultimately made me more resilient and contributed to the way I see and create today.
What's your process for recovering mentally after an intense or exhausting experience?
After long days in the ocean, I like to reset with a good meal, a movie with my husband, and an early night’s sleep. Whenever possible, I hold off on reviewing the images right away – other than making sure everything is backed up. Waiting to start editing a few days allows me to return with fresh eyes, less self-criticism, and a clearer perspective on the work.
Are there any unexpected or unconventional techniques you use to strengthen your resilience?
For me, it’s reading. I often have to give myself permission not to feel guilty about spending a few hours with a book. If that leads to a nap, that’s okay. Reading quiets my swirling thoughts and gives me a break from the real world. That pause recharges me with the energy I need to keep moving forward with whatever’s ahead.
