Honolulu, Hawaii \u2014 For Buddy Wiggins of Honolulu, Hawaii, the end result of a yearslong sports gambling addiction has come to this: soliciting strangers on the beach. <\/p>\n
The 32-year-old pool cleaner says he heard a voice, a calling, to take his life in a radically different direction.<\/p>\n
“I finally came to a point where I lost pretty much everything,” Wiggins told CBS News. “And I’m on my hands and knees, and I’m crying.” \u00a0<\/p>\n
What Wiggins felt called to do was to come down to Waikiki Beach, approach total strangers who had never surfed before, and ask them if they wanted a free lesson.<\/p>\n
Wiggins calls it the First Wave Project. Twice a week, he and a couple of friends extend their free offer to the most unlikely surfers they can find. <\/p>\n
“The energy that they had made you feel like you could do exactly what he was saying,” surfing student Quest Douglass said. <\/p>\n
“They gave me a confidence that I haven’t had since I was in my 30s,” said Manny Fernandez, another student.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It is a confidence that often lasts a lot longer than the ride.<\/p>\n
“I think when you overcome things that you never thought was possible, you start thinking, ‘OK, what’s next?'” Wiggins reflected.<\/p>\n
So far, Wiggins and his team have helped about 100 people ride that wave of inspiration.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“Especially at a time when I’m struggling financially,” said Wiggins, who added that he does it for free because it provides him “the feeling of giving.”\u00a0<\/p>\n
It’s all thanks to that mysterious voice in his head that told him to tackle his addiction by sharing his passion.<\/p>\n
If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, help is available.\u00a0The National Problem Gambling Helpline<\/a>\u00a0offers free, confidential support 24\/7. Call 1-800-GAMBLER to speak with trained counselors who can provide guidance, resources, and treatment options.<\/p>\n \n More from CBS News\n <\/p>\n \n Go deeper with The Free Press\n <\/p>\n