In this episode, Daniel Etika Masifilo shares a journey that spans the football field, ancestral lands, and the inner work of reconnecting with his identity. Raised between cultures in Ewa Beach, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi, with roots in Tonga, Norway, and Switzerland, Daniel speaks about his desire to belong, rediscovering his name, and embracing the ever-shifting path forward through the deep internal work of building character. From the intensity of Division I football and professional leagues across the U.S. and Denmark, to coaching and homestead life, this conversation is an honest recollection of how to "unlearn" to become your true self. Daniel's stories are relatable and show the human side of pivoting towards your inner purpose. IMUA! Follow: @dmasifilo @islandskills Episode Highlights 00: Intro to Daniel Etika Masifilo 01:14 Goal Setting 02:49 Ancestral roots in Tonga, Norway and Switzerland; from Puʻuloa, Oʻahu 03:54 Rediscovering self 07:08 Unlearning to recalibrate and be present 09:05 Homestead life on Hawaiʻi island, living in tune with nature 10:58 Growing up half Tongan, half Caucasian in Hawaiʻi; navigating belonging 11:56 Language toggling: Tongan, English, Pigeon 12:58 Evolving to be proud of our Polynesian names 15:56 American identity: we have to go further back to where weʻre originally from 17:08 A thousand ancestors stand behind us 19:10 Love of football and new beginnings 23:22 High school junior - on a different path 25:07 High School senior - back on track 27:00 Mount Sac Junior College and Arizona State 28:43 Self realizations and growth, joining the University of Hawaiʻi Warriors Football team 29:46 NFL hopes and receiving "Iʻm proud of you" 30:45 Playing professional football in Denmark, redefining character, getting back to the roots 32:26 Arena football in Colorado and Nebraska; still hopeful for the NFL 34:01 A new life trajectory - new relationship, getting back to ʻāina (land), connecting with the Lakota Nation and ancestral ways of being 35:12 One last shot 36:07 Back to Hawaiʻi, full circle moments with coaching 38:43 Ahonui: patience with perseverance 39:59 On the horizon 41:57 The producer mindset Episode Art: Molly Mamaril
In this episode, Daniel Etika Masifilo shares a journey that spans the football field, ancestral lands, and the inner work of reconnecting with his identity. Raised between cultures in Ewa Beach, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi, with roots in Tonga, Norway, and Switzerland, Daniel speaks about his desire to belong, rediscovering his name, and embracing the ever-shifting path forward through the deep internal work of building character. From the intensity of Division I football and professional leagues across the U.S. and Denmark, to coaching and homestead life, this conversation is an honest recollection of how to "unlearn" to become your true self. Daniel's stories are relatable and show the human side of pivoting towards your inner purpose. IMUA! Follow: @dmasifilo @islandskills
Episode Highlights
00: Intro to Daniel Etika Masifilo
01:14 Goal Setting
02:49 Ancestral roots in Tonga, Norway and Switzerland; from Puʻuloa, Oʻahu
03:54 Rediscovering self
07:08 Unlearning to recalibrate and be present
09:05 Homestead life on Hawaiʻi island, living in tune with nature
10:58 Growing up half Tongan, half Caucasian in Hawaiʻi; navigating belonging
11:56 Language toggling: Tongan, English, Pigeon
12:58 Evolving to be proud of our Polynesian names
15:56 American identity: we have to go further back to where weʻre originally from
17:08 A thousand ancestors stand behind us
19:10 Love of football and new beginnings
23:22 High school junior - on a different path
25:07 High School senior - back on track
27:00 Mount Sac Junior College and Arizona State
28:43 Self realizations and growth, joining the University of Hawaiʻi Warriors Football team
29:46 NFL hopes and receiving "Iʻm proud of you"
30:45 Playing professional football in Denmark, redefining character, getting back to the roots
32:26 Arena football in Colorado and Nebraska; still hopeful for the NFL
34:01 A new life trajectory - new relationship, getting back to ʻāina (land), connecting with the Lakota Nation and ancestral ways of being
35:12 One last shot
36:07 Back to Hawaiʻi, full circle moments with coaching
38:43 Ahonui: patience with perseverance
39:59 On the horizon
41:57 The producer mindset
Episode Art: Molly Mamaril