Lilliana Bowrey - Young, Free & Fierce

Where did you grow up, and what was your world like before travel and surfing became such a big part of your life?

I grew up in Noosa Heads. I started surfing when I was five, but before I fully pursued it I was actually a dancer and loved touch football. I danced three days a week and sometimes even on weekends. I danced full time until I was about twelve, and that’s when I made the decision to pursue surfing more seriously because I realised dancing didn’t really make money!

You seem to travel everywhere — how do you make that work logistically and financially, and what does a ‘normal’ season of life look like for you behind the scenes?

I absolutely love travelling. The first time I travelled solo I was twelve years old and flew to Hawaii, and that was the moment I realised how much I loved the freedom of it. From then on I knew I wanted a life where I could keep exploring, but I also realised that if I wanted that lifestyle to work I had to be smart with money, planning and logistics. I’ve learned that structure is actually what allows me to live freely. For me that looks like journaling and making lists. I’m always writing down my goals, what I need to get done that week, videos I want to create, people I want to shoot with and content I need to capture. A “normal” season behind the scenes is a balance of travel, work, training and admin. It’s not always easy constantly being on the move, but keeping a diary with me helps me stay organised and present. That structure is what lets me actually enjoy the lifestyle instead of feeling overwhelmed by it.

Your personal brand feels very natural and unforced — was building it a conscious decision, or did it evolve organically over time?

Honestly, it all happened really organically. My “brand” was never something I set out to build. It grew naturally from my love of surfing. I was simply sharing what I loved and the lifestyle that came with it, and over time a community formed around that. Then an acting opportunity unexpectedly came into my life with Surviving Summer, which introduced me to a whole new audience. That definitely expanded my community, but at the core everything has always come back to the ocean and staying true to who I am. I think that’s why it still feels natural — because it is.

You spend so much time in the ocean and outdoors — how do you look after your skin, hair and overall beauty while living such an active, salty lifestyle?

I’ve always really valued looking after my hair, skin and body, so over the past couple of years I’ve really refined my routines and learned what works best for me, from products to nutrition. Being in the ocean so much means I have to be intentional about care and protection, especially with sun and salt exposure. I focus on hydration, gentle skincare, nourishing foods and consistency rather than anything complicated. I’d definitely say Sol Sista has been a game changer for my skin though. It’s helped me avoid breakouts and sunburn, which is huge when you’re outdoors as much as I am. For me, beauty is really about supporting your body so it can keep doing what you love.

Your surfing looks effortless — but we know that doesn’t happen overnight. How did you build your confidence and skill in the water, and what’s surfing taught you about patience and persistence?

It definitely didn’t happen overnight. I’ve been surfing for fifteen years and I’m still learning every single day. That’s one of the things I love most about surfing — you never really “arrive,” you just keep evolving. Since I was young I’ve always had a pretty fearless mindset. I’m not afraid to try things or to be seen learning, even if I fail. I think that’s where my confidence in the water came from. I stayed persistent, kept pushing myself to improve, and whenever I failed I’d get straight back up and try again, usually even more determined than before. I’ve always been competitive too, especially with myself. If I’m not good at something I don’t quit — I keep going until I feel proud of it. Surfing has taught me patience, resilience and how to trust the process. The ocean doesn’t reward perfection, it rewards persistence.

Living life this way can look dreamy, but it’s not always easy — what have been some of the challenges people don’t see?

I always say, “If it were easy, everyone would do it.” From the outside my life can look really dreamy, but like anything there are challenges people don’t always see. One of the biggest is the pressure around image, especially living in such a visual industry and sharing your life online. There can be moments of comparison or feeling like you have to look or be a certain way. Over time though I’ve learned that real confidence doesn’t come from perfection. It comes from self-acceptance and knowing who you are outside of other people’s opinions. Living this lifestyle actually teaches you resilience. You learn to ground yourself, stay focused on what matters and not let outside noise define you.

What’s next on your bucket list — places, experiences or personal goals you’re excited to work towards?

One of my next big personal goals is to create a new surf film, which I’m really excited about. It’s something I’ve been wanting to pour my creativity into, and I love the idea of telling a story through surfing, travel and visuals. Aside from that I’m honestly just focused on the simple things — improving my surfing, looking after my health and spending as much time in the ocean as possible. Getting barreled more is definitely high on the list too!

For girls who look up to you and dream of a similar lifestyle, what honest advice would you give them about what to chase — and what not to?

My biggest advice would be: stay authentic. Don’t change who you are for anyone. The more you say yes to things that don’t feel right for you, the further you step away from yourself. When you stay true to your own path, the right opportunities tend to find you naturally. At the same time, it’s important to remember that you get out what you put in. Dreaming is beautiful, but dreams only become real when you’re willing to work for them. This lifestyle isn’t built overnight. It comes from consistency, passion and showing up for yourself even on the days you don’t feel like it.