From Wipeout to Wake-Up Call: How a Near-Death Experience Transformed Chris J. Evans’ Life

It only takes a moment to change everything. For world-renowned photographer and former semi-pro surfer Chris J. Evans, that moment came crashing down literally. Born with the soul of a creative and the heart of a thrill-seeker, Chris was living a dream life in Hawaii: riding waves, rocking out in a band, and capturing beauty through his lens. But it was a single surf session gone wrong that jolted him into a new reality.

He almost didn’t make it. The doctors said he should be dead. In the seconds between breath and blackout, Chris experienced what so many of us fear but rarely talk about; the flash of everything you love, everything you’ve built, and everything you’ve left undone. When you’re staring death in the face, there’s no more pretending. You see exactly what matters.

And for Chris, that wake-up call didn’t just shift his perspective, it completely realigned his life.

He emerged not just physically alive, but spiritually awakened. His art deepened. His business transformed. And most importantly, his purpose became crystal clear: to create from a place of intention and to help others do the same.

We recently went live with Chris on Instagram to pull back the curtain on what this kind of transformation really looks like; from burnout to breakthroughs, from chaos to clarity. And in this blog, we’re breaking down the biggest takeaways.

Because here’s the truth: Success isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing what matters most.

Chris told us, “When you don’t slow down, life will do it for you.”

Sometimes, burnout shows up in subtle ways: boredom, resentment, or just feeling off. And if you’ve ever had a moment where everything felt too heavy, that’s not a failure; it’s a signal.

That moment is sacred. It’s your body saying: pause, reset, recalibrate.

👉 Try This:

• Give yourself permission to pivot. What worked last year might not work now.
• Track your energy, not just your time. Notice when you feel most alive vs. when you’re drained.
• Ask: Is this still working for me? If not, change it.

You don’t need to hit rock bottom to change directions. You just need to listen before life forces you to.

Chris doesn’t surf to chase waves anymore. He surfs to return to himself.

After his near-death experience, wellness became more than a routine; it became a requirement much like it did for me getting a treadmill desk. He learned that your nervous system is your power source. And when it’s fried, everything else follows.

Whether you’re running a business, building a brand, or raising a family, your real currency is energy.

👉 Try This:

• Find your anchor movement. For Chris, it’s surfing. For you, it might be walking, dancing, or breathwork.
• Eat like your creativity depends on it; because it does. Think: blueberries, walnuts, leafy greens. Food is medicine.
  
• Choose one small thing you can do daily. It doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to be consistent.

Wellness isn’t a luxury. It’s the foundation.

Chris’s photography is beautiful and intentional. It’s how he tells stories that words can’t touch. Creativity became his way of healing, connecting, and leading with purpose.

But creativity isn’t just for artists, it’s for everyone. It’s how you problem-solve. How you make decisions. How you connect with others.

👉 Try This:

• Start a 5-minute daily journal. One line is enough. A thought, a vision, a truth.
• Create something just for you. No deadline. No client. No pressure.
• Protect space to play. Without expectations.

Your creativity isn’t a hobby. It’s a heartbeat. Use it.

Purpose doesn’t always show up like fireworks. Sometimes, it’s quiet. A whisper. A gut feeling. A moment of peace when everything aligns.

Chris’s journey reminded us that purpose is a goal and a guide. When you know your “why,” the “how” gets easier.

👉 Try This:

• List your 5 non-negotiables. What do you need to feel like you?
• Audit your calendar. Are you making space for what matters, or just checking boxes?
• If your to-do list is louder than your why, it’s time to recalibrate.

The purpose is personal. And it will lead you back to yourself.

One of the most powerful parts of Chris’s story is the intention he brings to everything: the trips he takes, the clients he works with, the people he surrounds himself with. He’s creating connections.

👉 Try This:

• Plan your next trip around transformation, not escape. Ask: What do I want to learn? Who do I want to become?
• DM someone who inspires you. Connection starts with one message.
• Make decisions that your future self will thank you for.

Your legacy is built one aligned choice at a time.

🎁 PS: Chris created a free workbook to help you build your brand with clarity. Email us “content tips” at: connect@angelaproffitt.com and we’ll send it your way.

If you’ve been chasing success that leaves you depleted…

If you’ve been ignoring your body just to hit another deadline…

If you’ve forgotten what actually makes you feel good…

This is your sign to reset. Not with hustle, but with intention.

Because the next chapter of your life?

It deserves to be written with joy, with purpose, and with your whole heart in it.

Watch our replay of the live below 👇

Whether you’re focused on movement, mindset, or meaning; we’ve got a framework that meets you where you are.

📥 Email us “WELLNESS” at: connect@angelaproffitt.com to start your reset.

Because feeling alive is the best kind of productivity! 💛