People will tell you what’s realistic. They’ll size you up, dismiss your dreams, and tell you to aim lower. Lauren didn’t listen—and she made it to the Olympics. Maybe you don’t need to either.

Born into a legendary surfing family, Kelia Moniz seemed destined to follow a specific path. Her dad, Tony Moniz, was a professional surfer and one of Hawai‘i’s pioneers in big-wave riding. Surfing wasn’t just a sport in their household, but a way of life.