Taylor Steele Quotes

Powerful Taylor Steele for Daily Growth

About Taylor Steele

Taylor Steele, born on February 14, 1973, in Ventura County, California, is an acclaimed filmmaker, surfer, and photographer who has significantly impacted the action sports world with his innovative storytelling and cinematic approach. Raised in the surf-rich environment of Southern California, Steele's love for surfing and visual arts was ignited at a young age. In the late 1980s, while still in his teens, Steele began documenting the exploits of professional surfers such as Kelly Slater and Rob Machado. This led to the creation of his first film, "Mystic," in 1992. The success of this project launched his career and set a precedent for his future works. Steele's unique style combines captivating visuals with powerful narratives, often pushing boundaries and redefining the genre of action sports films. Some of his most influential works include "The Cinematographer Project," a series showcasing surfing from the perspectives of various cinematographers; "Stoked and Broke," which explores the lives of struggling professional surfers; and "Chasing Mavericks," a feature film that tells the story of legendary big-wave surfer Jay Moriarity. Steele's influence extends beyond the realm of surfing, as he has worked with artists such as Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, and Jack Johnson. His ability to captivate audiences and tell compelling stories has earned him numerous accolades, including eight Surfer Poll Awards for Video Director of the Year and two ESPN X Games awards for Best Surf Film. Taylor Steele continues to push the boundaries of storytelling in action sports films, inspiring a new generation of filmmakers and creators. His work is a testament to the power of creativity, passion, and the enduring allure of surfing.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Life's too short for average."

The quote by Taylor Steele, "Life's too short for average," emphasizes the importance of striving for excellence rather than settling for mediocrity or ordinary achievements. It suggests that given the limited time we have in our lives, it is essential to make each moment count and pursue aspirations with passion and dedication, instead of wasting time on mundane or routine tasks that do not challenge us or contribute significantly to our personal growth and happiness. The implication is that by setting high standards for ourselves and consistently pushing beyond our comfort zones, we can live fulfilling lives and make a lasting impact.


"Dream big, work harder."

This quote by Taylor Steele encourages individuals to aim high in their aspirations ("Dream big") while emphasizing the importance of diligence and effort ("work harder") to achieve those dreams. The message is to set ambitious goals for oneself but recognize that reaching them requires consistent hard work and dedication, inspiring a mindset that combines ambition with action.


"Chase your dreams, but don't forget to enjoy the journey."

This quote suggests that while it is important to pursue one's aspirations and goals (chase your dreams), we should also appreciate and savor the process of working towards those objectives (enjoy the journey). The journey, filled with experiences, learning, and personal growth, can be just as valuable as the destination. This perspective encourages a balanced approach to life: aim for success but don't neglect the pleasure derived from the steps taken along the way.


"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts."

This quote emphasizes the resilience and determination required to achieve success. It suggests that success should be seen as a milestone, not an end goal, and that setbacks or failures should not deter one from continuing on their journey. The courage to persist in the face of adversity is what truly counts towards achieving long-term success.


"Believe in yourself and all that you do; your doubts and fears are an adversary to be faced down."

This quote emphasizes self-belief as a powerful tool for overcoming personal doubts and fears, which can act as obstacles or adversaries on one's path. It encourages individuals to have faith in their abilities and actions, suggesting that believing in oneself is essential to achieving success and personal growth. In other words, it underscores the importance of self-confidence and perseverance in overcoming challenges and realizing one's potential.


My parents had bought a video camera for us to film Christmases and other family events. I took it down to the beach, set up a tripod, and I would grab two other friends, and we'd take turns filming and surfing. Then, at the end of the day, I'd go home and I'd make a video for everybody to watch.

- Taylor Steele

Surfing, Other, Everybody, Video Camera

Going back to the films I made in the nineties, they might not have been the most thought-provoking movies, but there was always this conscious thing of knowing that it was fourteen-year-old surfers who were really into it, and so I've wanted to be responsible with that.

- Taylor Steele

Movies, Back, Been, Nineties

When I started, I was 18 and really into punk rock and just wanted the action. Over the years, I've gravitated towards the travel and experience around surfing and trying to relay that feeling. Going forward, I'm interested in story-driven and personality-driven themes.

- Taylor Steele

Experience, Surfing, Around, Relay

Running with the bulls was the scariest and craziest thing I have ever done.

- Taylor Steele

Running, Bulls, Ever, Scariest

Rwanda was the best place. The people are so nice and positive about their future.

- Taylor Steele

Future, Best, About, Rwanda

Do things you love; then success, possibly, will follow.

- Taylor Steele

Love, Success, Will, Possibly

Cultural differences can be delicate situations we have to work within the respectful boundaries of.

- Taylor Steele

Cultural, Within, Delicate, Respectful

When I started to do work outside of surfing, commercials where I needed to lead, I came out of my shell more, and I realised I wanted to create an environment that's fun because, a lot of time on shoots, people are so stressed and running behind the clock in an intense way.

- Taylor Steele

Behind, Surfing, Needed, Shoots

My parents are really supportive of my interests and try to help make them happen with the tools I need. More importantly, they instilled in me that anything is possible if you work hard to make it happen.

- Taylor Steele

Supportive, Importantly, Instilled

'Proximity' features four legends and four rising stars who each bring their own athleticism, thoughts, and experiences in this behind-the-scenes look at modern surfing.

- Taylor Steele

Thoughts, Surfing, Rising, Proximity

With talent so stacked on a project like 'Proximity' and so many intense locations explored, it's almost impossible to showcase every highlight in the confines of one film.

- Taylor Steele

Like, Stacked, Almost, Proximity

I feel like there is plenty of room for fresh ideas, always.

- Taylor Steele

Feel, Always, Like, Fresh

I don't know how many movies I have made. Movies that pop into my head when asked are 'Momentum,' 'Loose Change,' 'Shelter,' 'Sipping Jetstreams,' and 'The Drifter.'

- Taylor Steele

Change, Shelter, Made, Loose

Things always evolve and change on location, especially due to the nature of travel and the waves. A lot of unexpected things happen. Often we get lucky, but we also find ourselves scrambling a lot, especially when we are looking for waves in the remote spots of those locations.

- Taylor Steele

Unexpected, Lucky, Remote, Spots

Our project goal was to push the boundaries of VR technology to show what a surf trip feels like from the first-person perspective. I'm excited to share this. It's pretty incredible knowing my mom can now experience riding a 20-foot wave.

- Taylor Steele

Project, Show, Feels, First-Person

You've got the movie, distribution, and marketing. All are equally important, so educate yourself on how to do the best you can at each of them.

- Taylor Steele

Best, Movie, Equally, Distribution

I loved the fact that Mitch Coleborn wasn't on my radar for 'Stranger than Fiction' until he sent 10 waves of himself to us. Then he went from unknown to having a great section in the movie.

- Taylor Steele

Fact, Movie, Fiction, Radar

I was hoping that I could one day get a job at Quik or Billabong working on their videos. So I made 'Momentum' on a shoestring budget for fun and sort of a resume to work for others.

- Taylor Steele

Resume, Made, Could, Budget

I feel like surf films are something I go back to for some balance - to reset myself as a filmmaker. They're something I'll always gravitate towards.

- Taylor Steele

Always, Surf, Films, Filmmaker

I'm not the best filmmaker, but on the sets, it seems like everybody is having fun.

- Taylor Steele

Everybody, Having, Sets, Filmmaker

The more I learn and grow, the more I feel fulfilled, and even if I'm shooting a commercial for a car or a computer, I try to deliver a filmmaker's point of view where I can learn from the experience. Then I really enjoy it.

- Taylor Steele

Point Of View, Commercial, Filmmaker

It's not about the equipment. Be less concerned about what kind of camera you have and more about what kind of effect you're trying to accomplish. Finding an original take is much more important than what you shoot it with.

- Taylor Steele

Kind, Original, Concerned, Shoot

The beauty of my job is I do all different kinds of film directing, not just surf films anymore. And I do stuff from commercials to short films to working on feature films, and none of it is based from where I live. It's all based elsewhere, so I can live anywhere and commute to where I need to go.

- Taylor Steele

Beauty, Different Kinds, Directing

The nice thing about working in surf films so long is becoming part of the surf tribe. Anywhere I go where there are surfers, I get welcomed pretty easily.

- Taylor Steele

Pretty, Surf, Films, Nice Thing

I started filmmaking when I started surfing, so the two things have been with me since I was 12 years old, so it's sort of been in my bones to make surf movies. I guess every now and then I just crave to do it again.

- Taylor Steele

Filmmaking, Surfing, Been, Now And Then

Me and my family, we sort of had this plan to... once we had kids, we had a plan that about every six years we'd move to a new country. So, when we had kids, we moved to Bali for six years, then we went to Australia for six years.

- Taylor Steele

New, Country, Move, Bali

I started doing non-surf stuff like commercials, short films, and music videos and just started expanding my filmmaking that way. I started doing that more for a career: you know, it was paying the bills, and it was challenging. I was stimulated by it.

- Taylor Steele

Career, Doing, Expanding, Bills

I get really excited when I see filmmakers make something that is subtle and feels real. It is really tough to do right.

- Taylor Steele

Excited, I See, Feels, Filmmakers

For me, storytelling is the most interesting part of movie making.

- Taylor Steele

Storytelling, Making, Most, Movie Making

I think there just needs to be an emotional attachment to the surfer, however you get that, so that, when you watch the surfing, you can relate to that person, or you're rooting for them, in a way.

- Taylor Steele

Think, Needs, However, Attachment

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