To celebrate our new brand platform Do It For life, we sat down with AIA Ambassador and Australian surfing champion Layne Beachley to find out what motivates her to be a do-er, how her relationship with health has changed over the years and what vitality means to her.
5 Lessons in vitality with Layne Beachley
ARTICLE
1 November 2025
2 min read
2 min read
What motivates this surfing legend to take care of her health?
What keeps you doing after all your years as a professional athlete?
L: “I believe our values often stem from our voids. In other words, the things we come to value are usually born from not-so-healthy experiences where our principles may have been neglected or our needs not met.
When I was surfing competitively, I experienced everything from chronic fatigue to pneumonia, but I pushed through because I didn't want to let anyone down. However, compromising my health like this for professional success led me to really value and prioritise my health later in life. Not only is our wellbeing precious, but it allows us to experience the things in life that truly matter and be there for the people we love.
So, what keeps me doing? Good health, because I’ve known what my life is without it.”
What advice would you give to someone struggling to start a wellness habit?
L: “Start by asking yourself what you want to feel, rather than what you think you should do. Vitality comes from alignment, not obligation, so I approach my health with a bit of curiosity: I explore new things, I take notice of my body and what lifts me up, and I give myself permission to adapt along the way.
For example: I’ve learned that rest is just as productive as moving your body. It gives me energy, it puts me in a good mood, it helps me concentrate and stay present when I’m around people, so I started building small rituals into my night-time routine—like light stretching, reading instead of TV and herbal tea—that help me have a good night’s sleep.”
Enjoy weekly rewards for being active with AIA Vitality
We all need a little extra motivation sometimes. Earn a $5 Active Benefits reward when you reach your personalised physical activity target each week available in the AIA Vitality App.
Do you approach health and movement differently now compared to your surfing career?
L: “Absolutely. When I move now, it’s more about joy and vitality than discipline or routine. So rather than focusing on calories burned, or peak performance, I listen to what my body needs and go from there. Sometimes, that’s as simple as sitting down and taking a few deep breaths.”
How do you stay motivated to keep showing up for your wellbeing?
L: “I come back to my ‘why’. For me, that’s living in alignment with who I want to be and that’s someone who is energised, grounded and present. That doesn’t mean I never have off days, but I meet those days with kindness, not judgement. I remind myself that even a small action—a few mindful breaths, a stretch, a swim—can shift how I’m feeling. And when I care for myself in that way, I have more capacity to care for others too, like my family, friends and even those little interactions with strangers each and every day.”
How would you define vitality now?
L: “Energy in motion. It’s about showing up for life with presence, purpose and a sense of flow. It’s not about doing more but doing what matters, and that can look different every day. Some days, it’s a run or a surf. Other days, it’s journaling or having a nap. But every choice I make now stems from a desire to honour my whole self—body, mind and spirit. That’s real vitality to me.”
Like Layne, at AIA, we believe health is about more than metrics: it’s about the bigger picture. Remembering why our health matters can motivate us to keep making healthier choices. Whether you lift weights so you can lift the grandkids, or take the stairs to keep your hiking form strong, our health and wellbeing hub is full of resources and tools to help you Do It For Life.
Staff Writer
Staff writers come from a range of backgrounds including health, wellbeing, music, tech, culture and the arts. They spend their time researching the latest data and trends in the health market to deliver up-to-date information, helping everyday Australians live healthier lives. This is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances.
Disclaimer:
Copyright © 2025 AIA Australia Limited (ABN 79 004 837 861 AFSL 230043). This is general information only, without taking into account factors like the objectives, financial situation, needs or personal circumstances of any individual and is not intended to be financial, legal, tax, medical, nutritional, health, fitness or other advice. The source information of the articles is current as of the date of publication and may be subject to change. While the information contained herein is believed to be accurate, AIA Australia expressly disclaims any and all liability for representations or warranties, expressed or implied, contained in, or for omissions from, the information.
Copyright © 2025 AIA Australia Limited (ABN 79 004 837 861 AFSL 230043). This is general information only, without taking into account factors like the objectives, financial situation, needs or personal circumstances of any individual and is not intended to be financial, legal, tax, medical, nutritional, health, fitness or other advice. The source information of the articles is current as of the date of publication and may be subject to change. While the information contained herein is believed to be accurate, AIA Australia expressly disclaims any and all liability for representations or warranties, expressed or implied, contained in, or for omissions from, the information.
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This inspirational content is brought to you by AIA Vitality
AIA Vitality is a science-backed program that helps you learn more about your health,
offers ways to improve it and motivates you with rewards along the way.
offers ways to improve it and motivates you with rewards along the way.
