We recently connected with Carey Missler and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Carey thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’re complete cheeseballs and so we love asking folks to share the most heartwarming moment from their career – do you have a touching moment you can share with us?

A Life-Changing Experience That Shaped My Perspective

On October 6, 2023 at the age of 43, I experienced a life-altering event—an artery dissection in the back of my neck that led to a severe brain stroke. At the time, I had no idea what was happening to me. It was the most terrifying moment of my life. Not recognizing the severity of my condition, I didn’t seek medical attention for three days while my brain was still deteriorating. Looking back, I don’t know how I survived.

When I finally arrived at the hospital, a CT scan confirmed the extent of the stroke. I was immediately admitted to an intensive rehabilitation program, where I began physical therapy, cognitive therapy, and counseling. Being one of the youngest patients in the ward was a humbling and eye-opening experience. Determined to regain my independence, I applied my business acumen, resilience, and relentless drive to my recovery. After one month of intensive therapy, I was discharged, having relearned how to walk.

My journey didn’t stop there. I continued with a three-month outpatient rehabilitation program, working tirelessly to restore my cognitive and physical abilities. It was an incredibly challenging period, but I remained focused on my recovery. Today, I’m beyond grateful to have made a remarkable comeback. I’m back to surfing, efoiling, and working toward my ultimate goal—returning to competitive soccer.

During my recovery, there were moments when I doubted whether I would ever feel like myself again. As someone who had always been active and healthy, the experience was both shocking and transformative. Now, 1.5 years later, I feel stronger than ever. With the unwavering support of my fiancée and family, I’ve returned to my business with a renewed sense of purpose and passion—achieving even greater success than before.

Every day, I remind myself how fortunate I am to have been given a second chance. Sadly, not everyone is as lucky, and that perspective drives me to live life to the fullest, appreciate every opportunity, and continue pushing boundaries—both personally and professionally.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My Journey into Entrepreneurship and Efoiling

From a young age, I was always a dreamer. While I was deeply involved in sports—especially soccer—academics never truly captured my focus. Instead, I was constantly envisioning new opportunities, drawn to creativity, business, and the thrill of forging my own path. My father, a successful entrepreneur, instilled in me the values of hard work and innovation, which shaped my mindset from an early age. I was always hustling, eager to carve out my own journey, though I quickly realized that working for someone else wasn’t for me.

My passion for filmmaking and business naturally led me to the Center for Arts and Technology, where I earned a degree in Digital Filmmaking in 2018. Through a partial government grant, I was able to attend this prestigious technology school, and during my first year, I founded DCD Productions—an award-winning production company specializing in films, commercials, and brand marketing. Through this venture, I gained invaluable experience in storytelling, content creation, and product marketing. Two of the films I produced are currently streaming on Amazon Prime (USA), and I successfully launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund one of them.

After building my production company, I expanded into the business world in an unexpected way—by becoming the Canadian distributor for a major U.S. hot tub company. This opportunity provided hands-on experience in sales, marketing, and business growth, as I successfully scaled their brand and generated significant revenue for them. It reinforced my passion for entrepreneurship and gave me the confidence to take on new challenges.

Growing up in Kelowna, British Columbia, a beautiful lakeside city, I was always drawn to water sports—wakeboarding, wakesurfing, and eventually foiling. While filming a project with California-based surfer Austin Keen, I was introduced to hydrofoil surfing, and from that moment, I was hooked. The sensation of gliding above the water felt like flying, and it quickly became an obsession. As technology advanced and electric hydrofoiling (eFoiling) emerged, I knew this was the future of water sports—and the next big opportunity.

This passion led me to create MSLR EFOILS, a company dedicated to revolutionizing the eFoil industry by introducing Patented innovative technology and making the sport more accessible. Over the past five years, we have continued to push the boundaries of eFoil technology, securing two patents along the way. We are proud to be the only eFoil company in the world to integrate a patented marine LED lighting system directly into our boards—an innovation that enhances both visibility, safety and aesthetics, giving riders an experience akin to gliding on a Tesla of the water. This year, we introduced the MSLR MSLED Pro, featuring our Silent Transit Technology (STT), a breakthrough in performance and efficiency.

From humble beginnings in Kelowna, BC, MSLR EFOILS has now expanded into the U.S. market, where we spend half the year focusing on research and development to refine our technology and bring the best possible products to the market.

I am incredibly proud of what we’ve built—taking a vision and turning it into a thriving business at the forefront of an evolving industry. More than just a company, MSLR EFOILS is about innovation, adventure, and community. I love working with athletes, enthusiasts, and pioneers who share the same passion for pushing the limits of water sports.

The journey has been challenging, but starting this company from scratch and watching it grow into an internationally recognized brand has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. And we’re just getting started.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Overcoming Adversity: A Story of Resilience
One of the greatest tests of my resilience came just 1.5 years ago when I suffered a severe brain stroke due to an artery dissection in my neck. The damage was so extensive that I truly believed I would never be the same person again. The road to recovery was daunting—I faced significant cognitive and physical challenges, and the uncertainty of whether I could regain my full abilities was overwhelming.

However, through the power of neuroplasticity, relentless hard work, and an unwavering commitment to my recovery, I fought my way back. With the incredible support of my loved ones, I focused not only on rebuilding my business but also on prioritizing my physical and mental well-being. It was one of the most difficult challenges I’ve ever faced, but it also reinforced the strength of my perseverance and determination.

Today, I am back—stronger than ever—continuing to grow my company, pushing the boundaries of innovation, and embracing life with even greater appreciation. This experience has taught me that resilience is not just about overcoming obstacles, but about using them as fuel to drive forward with even greater purpose.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

Reflections on My Career Path

If I could go back in time, I would absolutely choose the same path. Entrepreneurship is a relentless hustle, but I thrive on the challenges it brings. While I’ve always had strong business goals, my greatest motivation has been making my family—especially my father—proud of the life I’ve built.

I was never the most successful student; I was always a dreamer, and I still am. At 44 years old, I am incredibly grateful for the second chance at life I’ve been given, and I refuse to take it for granted. Like anyone, I’ve made mistakes along the way, but I believe that growth comes from learning, adapting, and moving forward.

No matter what hardships we face, the key is to keep pushing forward—because resilience and determination are what ultimately define success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mslrefoils.com
• Instagram: @mslrefoils
• Youtube: MSLR Efoils

Image Credits

Carey Missler
Chia Lopez