• Unstuck Woman Project
  • Video
  • About
  • Portfolio
  • Recent Work
Menu

MICHAEL BECK PHOTOGRAPHY

  • Unstuck Woman Project
  • Video
  • About
  • Portfolio
  • Recent Work

The Unstuck Woman" is a passion project that took root in my heart around four to five years ago. It began with a simple yet profound idea: to capture the essence of inspiring women through photography and intimate interviews, with the aim of guiding and connecting others on their own journeys.

Driven by a desire to spotlight the strength, resilience, and wisdom of women from diverse backgrounds, I embarked on a mission to seek out these remarkable individuals. What started as a personal endeavor soon blossomed into a community-driven movement, fueled by the empowering stories and experiences shared by the women I had the privilege to photograph and interview.

Word of mouth became the lifeblood of the project, as each woman I had the honor of capturing on film became a beacon, spreading the word to others who were equally deserving of recognition. Through this organic process, a network of support and empowerment began to take shape, weaving together the threads of shared experiences and aspirations.

Each photo shoot and interview became not only a celebration of individual triumphs but also a testament to the collective power of women supporting women. From artists and entrepreneurs to activists and everyday heroes, "The Unstuck Woman" has become a tapestry of inspiration, offering guidance and connection to all who encounter its stories.

As I continue to document the journeys of these incredible women, my hope remains steadfast: that their stories will serve as beacons of light for those navigating their own paths, reminding us all that resilience, courage, and determination know no bounds. Together, we rise, united in our strength and unwavering in our pursuit of a more empowered future.


Featured posts:

  • July 2024
    • Jul 2, 2024 Oriana Poindexter Jul 2, 2024
  • June 2024
    • Jun 18, 2024 Danielle Black Lyons Jun 18, 2024
    • Jun 4, 2024 Kassia Meador Jun 4, 2024
  • May 2024
    • May 24, 2024 Janina Casanova May 24, 2024
    • May 17, 2024 Heathyr Smyth May 17, 2024
  • July 2021
    • Jul 29, 2021 Becky Mendoza Jul 29, 2021
    • Jul 5, 2021 Meredith Ambruso Jul 5, 2021
  • June 2021
    • Jun 14, 2021 Isabella Manning Jun 14, 2021
    • Jun 14, 2021 Janina Casanova Jun 14, 2021
    • Jun 10, 2021 Heathyr Smyth Jun 10, 2021
  • February 2020
    • Feb 18, 2020 Brooke Kelley Feb 18, 2020
  • December 2019
    • Dec 31, 2019 Caylee Hawkins Dec 31, 2019
    • Dec 9, 2019 Erin Falconer Dec 9, 2019
    • Dec 3, 2019 Staci Hall Dec 3, 2019
  • November 2019
    • Nov 21, 2019 Miriam Brummel Nov 21, 2019
    • Nov 19, 2019 Courtney Coles Nov 19, 2019
    • Nov 11, 2019 Cierra Xavier Nov 11, 2019
    • Nov 4, 2019 Sara Lezama Nov 4, 2019
  • October 2019
    • Oct 29, 2019 Becca Kennelly Oct 29, 2019
    • Oct 14, 2019 Amanda Benson Oct 14, 2019
  • September 2019
    • Sep 16, 2019 Casey Schostag Sep 16, 2019
  • August 2019
    • Aug 19, 2019 Nicole Aug 19, 2019
    • Aug 12, 2019 Caity Watson Aug 12, 2019
    • Aug 5, 2019 Allegra Michelle Jones Aug 5, 2019
  • July 2019
    • Jul 22, 2019 Gemma Jimenez Jul 22, 2019
  • June 2019
    • Jun 24, 2019 Kari Jaffe Jun 24, 2019
  • May 2019
    • May 27, 2019 Lexy Bowman May 27, 2019
    • May 21, 2019 Mackenzie Howe May 21, 2019
    • May 21, 2019 Tracie Garacochea May 21, 2019
    • May 20, 2019 Laura Jean Anderson May 20, 2019
    • May 6, 2019 Lauren Kim May 6, 2019
    • May 1, 2019 Whitney Skauge May 1, 2019
  • March 2019
    • Mar 4, 2019 Vicki Tan Mar 4, 2019
  • February 2019
    • Feb 25, 2019 Christina Chi Craig Feb 25, 2019
  • January 2019
    • Jan 21, 2019 Corina Rose Jan 21, 2019
  • December 2018
    • Dec 16, 2018 Diandre Fuentes Dec 16, 2018
    • Dec 3, 2018 Ashleigh Johnson Dec 3, 2018
  • November 2018
    • Nov 26, 2018 Golden Shyne Nov 26, 2018
    • Nov 13, 2018 Adri Law Nov 13, 2018
    • Nov 5, 2018 Jenavieve Belair Nov 5, 2018
  • October 2018
    • Oct 30, 2018 Shannon O'Conner Oct 30, 2018
    • Oct 15, 2018 Sara Combs Oct 15, 2018
    • Oct 9, 2018 Jen Hood Oct 9, 2018
    • Oct 2, 2018 Laura Rubin Oct 2, 2018
  • September 2018
    • Sep 18, 2018 Alex Ta Sep 18, 2018
  • August 2018
    • Aug 27, 2018 Amy Hood Aug 27, 2018
    • Aug 20, 2018 Amanda Gilbert Aug 20, 2018
    • Aug 6, 2018 Kat Renyolds Aug 6, 2018
  • July 2018
    • Jul 23, 2018 Kat Jul 23, 2018
    • Jul 9, 2018 Brittney Wood Jul 9, 2018
  • June 2018
    • Jun 25, 2018 Marissa Rascon Jun 25, 2018
    • Jun 16, 2018 Lex Weinstein Jun 16, 2018
    • Jun 12, 2018 Kristen Flores Jun 12, 2018
    • Jun 4, 2018 Judith (Rose Cuts Clothing) Jun 4, 2018
  • May 2018
    • May 29, 2018 Jenn Sinclair May 29, 2018
    • May 22, 2018 Jessica Stone May 22, 2018
    • May 14, 2018 Ginger Caranto May 14, 2018
    • May 13, 2018 RY May 13, 2018
    • May 7, 2018 Velia De Iuliis May 7, 2018
    • May 1, 2018 Arielle Estoria May 1, 2018
  • April 2018
    • Apr 24, 2018 Natasha Nicole Apr 24, 2018
    • Apr 17, 2018 Genevieve Apr 17, 2018
    • Apr 10, 2018 Veronica Lowe Apr 10, 2018
    • Apr 3, 2018 Tanika hoffman Apr 3, 2018
  • March 2018
    • Mar 15, 2018 Johanna Swanson Mar 15, 2018
    • Mar 6, 2018 Wesley Bird Mar 6, 2018
    • Mar 1, 2018 Renee Mooi Mar 1, 2018
  • February 2018
    • Feb 27, 2018 Taylor Carrozza Feb 27, 2018
    • Feb 13, 2018 Kelly Yazdi Feb 13, 2018
  • January 2018
    • Jan 23, 2018 Torrey Jay Jan 23, 2018
    • Jan 20, 2018 Sarah Larson Jan 20, 2018
    • Jan 9, 2018 Elise Crigar Jan 9, 2018
  • December 2017
    • Dec 18, 2017 Bleu Archbold Dec 18, 2017
    • Dec 12, 2017 Kestrel Jenkins Dec 12, 2017
    • Dec 5, 2017 Kaitlin Mogentale Dec 5, 2017
  • November 2017
    • Nov 28, 2017 Lou Samantha Nov 28, 2017
    • Nov 13, 2017 Buckley Nov 13, 2017
    • Nov 6, 2017 Kinley Danger Winnaman Nov 6, 2017
  • October 2017
    • Oct 21, 2017 Natasha Zoë Garrett Oct 21, 2017
    • Oct 16, 2017 Amy Leverton Oct 16, 2017
    • Oct 9, 2017 Sloane Oct 9, 2017
    • Oct 2, 2017 Nice Turner Oct 2, 2017
  • September 2017
    • Sep 25, 2017 HEIDI ZUMBRUN Sep 25, 2017
    • Sep 21, 2017 Monica Reyes Sep 21, 2017
    • Sep 18, 2017 Joy Lewis Sep 18, 2017
    • Sep 11, 2017 Lucy Mae Sunday Sep 11, 2017
    • Sep 4, 2017 Madison Isbell Sep 4, 2017
  • August 2017
    • Aug 28, 2017 Juri Ko Aug 28, 2017
    • Aug 21, 2017 Lauren Lilly Aug 21, 2017
    • Aug 14, 2017 Nouel Riel Aug 14, 2017
    • Aug 7, 2017 Ashmore Ellis Aug 7, 2017
    • Aug 1, 2017 GLORIA J. NOTO Aug 1, 2017
  • July 2017
    • Jul 21, 2017 Blake Spencer Jul 21, 2017
    • Jul 21, 2017 Anya Jul 21, 2017
    • Jul 10, 2017 Farron Feiner Jul 10, 2017
  • June 2017
    • Jun 29, 2017 Genevieve Davis Jun 29, 2017
    • Jun 20, 2017 Amy Reda Jun 20, 2017
    • Jun 20, 2017 Michaela Eichenbaum Jun 20, 2017
    • Jun 17, 2017 Beckie Peralta Jun 17, 2017
    • Jun 14, 2017 Tamara Raye Jun 14, 2017
    • Jun 9, 2017 Ally Ferguson Jun 9, 2017
  • May 2017
    • May 31, 2017 𝕮𝖍𝖗𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖎𝖓𝖆 𝕻𝖑𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖘 May 31, 2017
    • May 10, 2017 Jaime Dempsey May 10, 2017
  • February 2017
    • Feb 13, 2017 Sara Lyons Feb 13, 2017

Becky Mendoza

July 29, 2021

Hey everyone meet Becky (@actionsportslaw). Becky splits her time between running a law firm and a nonprofit called @changingtidesfoundation. She is a connector, collaborator and all around positive force doing good in the world.

How’s your definition of success changed over the years?
Growing up in Miami, in a very fast-paced setting, success was generally measured by how much money you make. I was never a money-driven person. I didn’t really care about the fancy cars and the jewelry but I saw myself falling into the trap the first couple years out of law school. It didn’t feel like me at all. That’s why I decided to move out to California and pursue my passions and step into a lifestyle that felt way more comfortable for me. Success to me now is finding out a way to make a living doing what you love. I believe that happiness comes first, and the money will follow, as long as you’re responsible and realistic about where you are headed and live within your means.

What do you love most about your boyfriend?
My boyfriend is an amazing chef and a great partner and father to his now 13-year-old son. The things I love most about him is that he had the courage to pursue his passion and start his own business in his mid-30’s. Being a young single father, he didn’t really have the option to pursue this career path and working in the traditional restaurant setting was not sustainable for him or his son’s life. He got creative and took the dive into his private chef business the first year of our relationship and I have watched him thrive and shine. He has also done a lot of work on himself to be the best partner and father he can be. I’m so proud of him.

You’re an attorney can you tell me a bit about it…
I’m a lawyer and have been for 16 years. I started my law firm, Action Sports Law Group in 2008 with a mission to help action sports athletes further their careers. I’m lucky to say that I have worked with some of the best action sports athletes including Olympians, helping them get visas to the US and helping with endorsement contracts. I’m not an agent, but I work with athletes or their agents, to review their contracts and make sure things are fair. I also work with photographers, videographers, and artists. I actually didn’t want to be a lawyer, but I did it anyway and managed to merge my passion for action sports with my law profession to keep things fun. It’s all about getting creative.

You’re a cofounder of Changing Tides Foundation can you tell me a bit about that?
Changing Tides Foundation is a nonprofit organization that empowers women to protect the planet. We invite everyone to join us in this movement, not just women, because we feel like we need more women stakeholders and decision-makers to solve the problems that exist in the world today. I started the organization in 2016 with 5 of my best friends because, as surfers, we wanted to do more than just take waves. It all started as a travel-based organization, where we would help alleviate issues in the places we visited, and it was all centered around sustainability and environmental protection but it has grown into so much more. We work with teenage girls to mentor and empower them using the ocean as a tool to promote self-confidence, the creation of strong bonds, and a sense of responsibility to protect the environment.

What habits do you have now that you wish you started much earlier?
I don’t love using the word “habits” I’d prefer to use “behaviors.” I now consider myself much more patient than I used to be, and I attribute that to years of self-reflection and learning by reading books, doing meditations and yoga, and having more meaningful conversations and connections. I do wish I would have started surfing, skateboarding, and snowboarding much earlier, but mostly because I feel like I’d be better at them than I am now :)

If you could ask God one question what would it be?
What is the meaning of life?

Do people ever really change?
People grow and with growth comes change. Change can be good or bad but I do think change is not only possible but necessary. I try not to lump everyone into “always” or “never” categories, so I’ll say people can sometimes change.

What are the greatest lessons you’ve learned from your Cuban family?
Great question. Cuban families are large and loud, it’s pretty awesome. We love gathering and dancing…so much dancing, so yes, I can salsa and merengue and I grew up loving going dancing. The biggest lesson I have learned is the importance of family, of taking care of each other. One by one, my family fled communist Cuba to Miami in the 60’s. My maternal grandfather had 13 brothers and sisters. My dad was the youngest of 11, so you can imagine the number of cousins and extended family we had, which meant big parties growing up. I learned you didn’t need a lot of money to make a party fun and awesome. Another lesson that sticks out in a working-class Cuban family is work ethic. Nothing came easy to my family in Miami and they all worked hard to earn a living and create a good setup for my generation. I was taught that from an early age as well. They also taught me to be a team player, to take care of the people you care about, and to always open your door to someone in need.

What are some of your daily habits that help you to be happy?
I personally don’t like routines. I’ve never been one to do the same thing every day. I have never even been a coffee drinker. I can tell you one thing I do is make my bed every morning. It brings me a sense of accomplishment first thing in the am. Then every time I walk into my bedroom, it looks nice and it makes me smile. Luckily my boyfriend is totally on board with making the bed so we take turns. I also am a morning activity person, so whether I’m heading to a HIIT class or a surf session, I do like to get my body moving in the am. I also go into my veggie garden every single day to check on and take care of my plants. I’m like a proud mom, haha seeing a new fruit or veggie never gets old to me. These are habits that make me happy.

What are your thoughts on the ocean?
I love the ocean. I spend so much time looking at her and being inside of her as a surfer. It is my playground and we are so lucky to get to experience the weightlessness and ride the energy she produces. She gives and gives and humanity is destroying her. That is why I feel so called to protect her.

What are a few small changes we can make to help lessen our environmental impact?
First and foremost, you can refuse single-use plastics and replace them with reusables. You can keep food waste out of the trash by composting your food scraps. You can pick up trash you see at the beach and in the water. But more than anything, you can get educated on the topics affecting our oceans, like industrialized fishing, oil drilling, plastic pollution, and stormwater runoff. Support organizations that are planting corals, regenerating mangrove forests and sea kelp. Then take action, sign petitions, and make your voice heard. Our representatives work for us and if enough of us make noise, they have to push for regulations that will protect the ocean and the environment.

What are some ways people can get involved with Changing Tides Foundation?
Obviously, donations are a great way to support any nonprofit, so we welcome individual and corporate donations at Changing Tides Foundation. We recently just launched a new Memberships program which gives people the opportunity to get more involved with CTF and actually chat with our whole team several times a year, it also comes with awesome perks from our brand partners! Volunteers also do help us a bunch, we are looking forward to creating more volunteer opportunities far and wide. We will also be doing more ladies surf meetups which we will open to the public. We also have group challenges throughout the year that help to raise awareness about how our own personal behaviors affect the environment, so those are great to participate in. Supporters also have the opportunity to launch their own fundraisers to benefit CTF.

What are your thoughts on surfing?
Surfing has changed my life. From where I live to the types of people I am around and what I do socially with my friends. Surfing gives you courage, it washes away pain and worries, it’s therapy, it centers you and connects you with nature. I feel like we would be so much happier as a society if people found their “surfing.” Nothing in my life has so effortlessly and consistently brought me into the present moment quite like surfing does. Sprinkle in some dolphins and some friends cheering you on and you’re on cloud 9.

Where did you catch your very first wave?
I caught my first wave in Stuart, Florida. I’m from Miami and the waves are fickle in South Florida because the Bahamas blocks the swells, so I went up to Stuart with a friend from law school and he took me out for the first time. I ended up cutting my head with a fin (it was just a little slice) and I got sun poison from laying on my board (I hadn’t learned to sit yet), but I was hooked.

← Heathyr SmythMeredith Ambruso →
Back to Top

email: michaelbeckphoto@gmail.com

phone: 949-491-2074

What would you like for your next birthday?⁠
@allisonbroberts :⁠
I pretty much want the same thing for my birthday every year… A warm destination with a fun little wave & dreamy beaches! I’m pretty consistent in this category! Hahaha
@allisonbroberts ⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
. ⁠
.⁠
.⁠
. ⁠
#womenwhosurf #skaka #surfgirl #californiasurf #ladieswhoshred #aloha #surf #surfing #lovesurfing #surfeveryday #dogood #surfsurfsurf #ilovesurfing #welovesurfing ⁠
What life skills are rarely taught but extremely useful?⁠
⁠@allisonbroberts :⁠
I think communication and expression are one of those life skills that could use more focus in the youth of our culture. We’re taught to think and live in a box, in
How do you keep yourself psychologically healthy?⁠
@allisonbroberts :⁠
I wish I could say I have this mastered… There’s times when my self-care game is on point & I feel really centered, and other times when I get swept up in the gri
What are things that bring you joy in the world?⁠
@allisonbroberts :⁠
⁠
The things that bring me joy are really so simple… It’s warm morning air & birds singing in my backyard… sipping morning coffee… hearing my daughte
@allisonbroberts ⁠
⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
. ⁠
.⁠
.⁠
. ⁠
#womenwhosurf #skaka #surfgirl #californiasurf #ladieswhoshred #aloha #surf #surfing #lovesurfing #surfeveryday #dogood #surfsurfsurf #ilovesurfing #welovesurfing ⁠
When do you know if it is the right time to change things up and why?⁠
@allisonbroberts :⁠
I think our intuition deserves heaps of credit for this one.  It really holds the key! I think if you listen to your gut…when it’s telling somethi
.@allisonbroberts ⁠
⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
. ⁠
.⁠
.⁠
. ⁠
#womenwhosurf #skaka #surfgirl #californiasurf #ladieswhoshred #aloha #surf #surfing #lovesurfing #surfeveryday #dogood #surfsurfsurf #ilovesurfing #welovesurfing ⁠
What does the perfect day look like?⁠
@allisonbroberts :⁠
Mmmm… A perfect day is waking up feeling healthy! It’s lighting a little incense while the coffee is brewing. It’s opening all the doors to let in some warm fresh air &
@allisonbroberts ⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
. ⁠
.⁠
.⁠
. ⁠
#womenwhosurf #skaka #surfgirl #californiasurf #ladieswhoshred #aloha #surf #surfing #lovesurfing #surfeveryday #dogood #surfsurfsurf #ilovesurfing #welovesurfing ⁠