In a harrowing recount on the Smartless podcast, Aquaman star Jason Momoa shares his terrifying experience of almost drowning while surfing at Jaws, Maui in 2007. Surviving the ordeal changed his perspective on life and led him to quit smoking.

Jason Momoa, known for his role in “Aquaman,” faced a scary situation at sea in his real life. The actor recalled almost drowning in 2007 while out surfing in Pe’ahi, one of Maui’s biggest surf breaks, when his leg rope snapped. The area he was paddling in, nicknamed “Jaws,” was experiencing high winds before the wave crashed down on him.