Show notes
Welcome to a very special episode on the Lifeguard Project podcast. Today, we get to sit down with Greg Bonann, the creator and producer of Baywatch. At its peak, Baywatch became the most-watched television show in the world, airing in over 140 countries and reaching more than a billion viewers each week.Today, Greg shares his journey from his early start as a kid facing challenges to his first rescues as an LA County lifeguard. Moments that shaped his purpose long before Hollywood came calling. And now 30 years later, Baywatch is returning in 2026 with Greg once again leading the charge, bringing in a new vision, while staying true to the show's roots of courage, community, and rescue.00:00 Introduction to Greg Bonann and Baywatch01:13 Greg's Early Life and Challenges04:04 High School Swimming and Lifeguarding Beginnings09:13 Mentorship and Lifeguard Training21:18 The Lifeguard Brotherhood and Early Experiences28:30 The Birth of a Storyteller31:51 The Rescue That Sparked Baywatch42:32 A Desperate Rescue43:04 The Struggle to Save a Life45:10 A Happy Ending and Reflections46:18 The Frustration of Storytelling46:52 Baywatch's Early Challenges48:18 The Lifeguard's Journey51:40 Junior Lifeguard Program59:03 The Road to Red01:06:27 The Importance of Mentorship01:10:29 Baywatch's Global Impact01:23:21 Pam's Underwater Training01:23:53 Lifeguard Training and Challenges01:25:06 Baywatch's Impact and Recognition01:27:22 Authenticity in Lifeguard Representation01:30:37 Challenges in TV Production01:33:50 Baywatch's Legacy and Future01:45:46 Personal Reflections and Future GoalsRead More About Greg Here:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_J._BonannPresented by The Ben Carlson Foundation:https://www.bencarlsonfoundation.org/https://www.instagram.com/bencarlson_foundation/Subscribe to the Podcast Here:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lifeguard-project/id1748861682https://open.spotify.com/show/7EoZTDiET6jJ6XJ1g5X54thttps://www.instagram.com/thelifeguardproject/https://thelifeguardproject.org/Host, Drasko Bogdanovic:https://www.bogdogphoto.com/https://www.instagram.com/bogdogphoto/