The Teenage Big Wave Surfer Who Went Viral - Plus Why Your Protein Obsession Might Be Making You Fatter

What the Health

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Wednesday, 10 June 2026 - 55 minutes

This week on What the Health?!, host Claira Hermet sits down with Malakai Hagley, a 19 year old professional surfer from Devon who is quietly becoming one of the most talked about names in big wave surfing. After a video of him taking on one of Mullaghmore's biggest ever waves went viral, the messages came flooding in from some of the most famous athletes on the planet - including Kelly Slater himself. Trained by Andrew Cotty, Britain's leading big wave expert, Malakai talks about what it actually feels like to ride a wave at that size and speed, how he trains himself not to panic when everything goes wrong underwater, what a tow-in actually is and what happens when it doesn't go to plan. He also opens up about his ambitions for the World Surf League adult tour and the Olympics, and the very real funding challenges facing the next generation of big wave surfers in the UK. Then Claira is joined by Jo Travers, Harley Street nutritionist, dietician and author, known as The London Nutritionist. Jo is here to cut through the noise around the protein craze that has taken over social media and what she has to say might surprise you. From protein maxxing and the 200g a day trend, to why protein consumed at the wrong time can actually cause weight gain, to the risks of the carnivore and keto diets, Jo breaks it all down in a way that finally makes sense. She also gets into the protein supplement industry and why she doesn't recommend bars and shakes, what leucine is and why it matters so much after 50, and what a genuinely healthy breakfast actually looks like.

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