You know her as the woman who can build a high-efficiency smoker out of a rusted barrel or track a predator through the Alaskan brush without breaking a sweat. Misty Raney Bilodeau is the backbone of the Discovery Channel hit Homestead Rescue. She's tough. She's "Alaskan tough." But when the snow starts burying the Raney homestead and the temperatures drop into the negatives, Misty isn't hunkering down in a cabin.
She's catching waves.
Most fans are shocked to learn that this master of survival spends a huge chunk of her year in a bikini with a surfboard tucked under her arm. It feels like a glitch in the matrix. How does a woman born in the rugged wilderness of Sitka, Alaska, end up carving through Pacific swells? Honestly, it's not a contradiction. It’s a balance.
The Dual Life of Misty Raney Bilodeau: From Ice to Surf
Misty and her husband, Maciah Bilodeau, have perfected a "snowbird" lifestyle that would make any travel influencer jealous. They don't just take a vacation; they migrate. For part of the year, they are in Alaska, running the family business, Alaska Stone and Log, and filming the grueling rescues we see on TV.
Then, everything shifts.
When winter hits the northern hemisphere, the Bilodeaus head to Hawaii. This isn't just about escaping the cold. Maciah Bilodeau is a carpenter, but he’s also a serious, lifelong surfer. He’s the one who really brought the surf culture into Misty’s world. They live a lifestyle that's basically the ultimate dream: 800 square feet of cabin life in the woods, followed by salt air and sand.
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It’s a different kind of survival. Instead of worrying about a grizzly bear getting into the chicken coop, the focus shifts to timing the sets and reading the reef.
Is Misty Raney Actually a Pro Surfer?
Let's clear the air on this. If you’re looking for Misty Raney Bilodeau on the WSL (World Surf League) rankings, you’re going to be looking for a long time. She isn't a professional competitive surfer.
She’s a lifestyle surfer.
There’s a massive difference. While her husband, Maciah, has been described as a competitive-level surfer with deep roots in the sport, Misty approaches the ocean with the same practical, "get it done" energy she brings to a construction site. She’s athletic. You’ve seen her haul logs; her core strength is probably insane. That translates well to a surfboard.
Their son, Gauge Bilodeau, is also being raised in this dual-world environment. He’s been around boards and wax since he could walk. For the Bilodeaus, surfing isn't a hobby—it's the family’s collective reset button.
Why the "Surfer" Label Surprises Fans
People have a habit of pigeonholing reality stars. We see Misty in Carhartt bibs and muddy boots, so our brains can't compute her in the tropics. But think about it. The skills required for homesteading—patience, physical endurance, and a deep respect for the elements—are exactly what you need in the water.
- Observation: In Alaska, she watches the weather patterns to know when to plant.
- Adaptation: In Hawaii, she watches the tide and the wind.
- Physicality: Both require raw, functional strength.
It’s funny, actually. You’ll see comments on her social media where people are genuinely confused. "Wait, is that Misty? Where's the snow?"
The reality is that the Raneys have always been more than just "mountain people." Marty Raney, her father, is a musician and a world-class climber. The family has always valued being multi-dimensional. Surfing is just Misty's version of that family trait. It’s her way of not being "just" a TV carpenter or "just" a homesteader.
What Really Happens in Hawaii
When they are on the islands, the pace changes, but the work doesn't stop. Maciah works as a carpenter there, too. They aren't sitting in a resort sipping Mai Tais. They live a life that’s still very much "off the beaten path."
They have a small homestead in Hawaii as well. It’s just that instead of building bear-proof fences, they’re probably dealing with tropical humidity and salt corrosion. The "surfer" lifestyle for Misty is deeply integrated with her desire to live simply and close to nature.
Common Misconceptions About Misty’s Surfing
- She's leaving the show: No. Just because she's surfing in Hawaii doesn't mean she’s done with Homestead Rescue. It’s a seasonal cycle.
- It’s all for the Gram: Misty is famously low-key on social media. She isn't posting "beach babe" thirst traps. When she posts about Hawaii, it’s usually about the family, the water, and the gratitude for the sun.
- She’s a beginner: She’s been doing this for years. While she might not be hitting Jaws or Pipeline, she’s far from a "kook" (surfing slang for a beginner who doesn't know the rules).
The Actionable Takeaway from the Bilodeau Lifestyle
There is a lesson here that goes beyond celebrity gossip. Misty Raney Bilodeau proves that you don't have to be one thing. You can be a rugged builder who knows how to use a chainsaw and someone who finds peace in the surf.
If you're feeling stuck in your own "brand" or "identity," take a page out of the Bilodeau book.
How to live the Misty-Maciah Balance:
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- Identify your "Seasons": Not every month of the year has to be high-octane. Build in a season for recovery.
- Cross-Train Your Skills: Use the physical strength from your "work" life to fuel a "play" life that's totally different.
- Value Privacy: Notice how Misty doesn't overshare? You don't have to prove your hobbies to the world for them to be valid.
- Invest in Experiences, Not Just Gear: They live in a small space so they can afford the freedom to move between two of the most beautiful places on Earth.
Misty Raney Bilodeau isn't just a "surfer" or a "homesteader." She’s a person who refused to let the cold define her. She found a partner who shared that vision, and they built a life that spans from the tundra to the tropics. That’s the real rescue.
To see this in action, next time you're watching Homestead Rescue, look at her tan. That’s not a spray tan from a Hollywood studio. That’s Hawaii sun, earned on a surfboard, before she headed back to the frost to help someone else survive.
To get a better sense of her construction style versus her lifestyle, you should look into her specific projects on the Discovery website—she focuses heavily on sustainability, which is a philosophy that works in both the Alaskan woods and the Hawaiian islands.