The WOW Factor: Facilitator Martin Shares His Story
“I love being part of an organisation that is making history with a new way of doing therapy.”
Martin Salinas, originally from Chile, joined the WOW Family as a facilitator on the Gold Coast in 2022 after generously donating his time as a WOW surf mentor. Martin brings with him a Bachelor in Psychology and a Masters in Organisational Psychology at Universidad Adolfo Ibanez, Chile. Since arriving in Australia, he has studied Fitness, Strength and Conditioning and a gained a Diploma in Sport Development. Throughout this time Martin has learnt how powerful exercise and sport can be as an aid in the journey of healing and personal change. The WOW Family are grateful for his clinical expertise, solid surfing skills and infectious smile! We asked him a few questions about his time with WOW…
What attracted you to the WOW role?
It was an opportunity I couldn't refuse. I started as a surf mentor and what initially attracted me was (and still is) the integration of the ocean (connecting with an outdoor setting), physical movement (surfing), flow state and interpersonal relationships as a structured intervention to improve psychological, emotional and physical wellbeing. Since day one it has been an amazing learning and growth experience.
Something else that attracted me was the warmth and relatability of the facilitators and participants - something that I can now recognise as one of the implicit values that run through the organisation.
What kind of clinical experience do you bring to the WOW program?
Most of my experience has been at the other end of the spectrum, within performance psychology, helping people achieve peak performance either in sport or in the corporate world.
Even though mental health is like a rainbow, with multiple colours and expressions, I strongly believe mental and emotional skill development impacts and enhances personal wellbeing and social connection. For me, positive psychology, narrative therapy, mindfulness and the 'third wave' of CBT has been the cornerstone of how I approach all of our WOW programs.
What kinds of real-life experiences do you bring to the WOW programs?
Being a former emergency service personnel - firefighter - and the son, grandson and nephew of veterans, allows me to relate to a lot of what emerges during our sandy conversations.
I think that coming from another country puts me in a position to have an external view on cultural belief systems, attitudes and values that might be so ingrained within the Aussie culture that only foreigners or returning ex-pats can notice by contrast.
What’s the best thing about working for WOW?
Being able to witness people going through the process of opening themselves up, being vulnerable and sharing their personal struggles with all sorts of emotions and body language, to having a massive smile on their faces after catching a wave for the first time or by having a great time in the ocean with their peers. The family culture within the organisation - the warmth and similar interests. Being able to share the froth for the ocean with a bunch of legends! The constant support and ongoing professional development that the organisation and their people offer. Being part of an organisation that is making history within a new way of doing therapy. Getting to watch the sunrise at the start of your "work" day!
What is something you've learnt about yourself during your time with WOW?
So many things! Every session has an insight, teaching or revelation. I have realised that I'm profoundly hooked by the power of interpersonal relationships and group dynamics in the process of personal change.
I have also learnt that as I'm getting older, I prefer to change to a dry wetsuit between sessions, rather than stick to a wet wetty for the whole day - there is something about comfort that I'm not willing to trade!
Would you like to combine your love of the ocean with helping people? Take a look at our Careers page to see if you can become part of the WOW Family.