About Shayden Pacarro
Born in Puna, Hawai‘i, Shayden Pacarro grew up surrounded by both endless beauty and endless cycles of pain. In a place where aloha meets hardship, he was exposed early to things no child should have to navigate — violence, addiction, and the kind of generational wounds that quietly shape how you see yourself and the world.
Out of curiosity and survival, Shayden turned to substance use and alcohol at a young age — believing, like many do, that they gave him power, confidence, and escape. But over time, he learned that what he thought gave him strength was slowly taking it away. The very things he turned to for freedom were stealing his purpose, his clarity, and his peace.
When Shayden moved to the North Shore of O‘ahu, his talent in surfing opened doors, but it also magnified the chaos within. Surfing culture often glorified the very behaviors he was trying to outgrow. It took hitting a breaking point — a moment of truth — to see that he was standing on the edge of repeating the same pain he was born into.
That’s when everything changed.
With Danielle Zirkelbach, founder of Imua Moms, and their son Imua, Shayden began the hardest work of his life: breaking the chains of his past. Together, he and Danielle made a commitment — that the story of their childhoods would not be the story their son inherited. The thought of passing on those same haunts was unbearable, and their love for him became the catalyst for deep transformation.
They did it alone — just the two of them — facing down the shadows that once defined them. There were no shortcuts, no rescue, only faith, humility, and relentless determination. Through recovery, prayer, and the daily choice to rise, they built a new foundation — one rooted in truth, accountability, and love.
Today, Shayden stands as a self-made man, father, and professional surfer who turned his pain into power — not the kind that destroys, but the kind that rebuilds. Together, he and Danielle co-founded Imua Dads, a brotherhood for men who are ready to heal, lead, and redefine what strength means — for themselves, their families, and the next generation.
Because the greatest comeback isn’t in the water —
it’s in the home, the heart, and the man who chooses to change everything.