Summary

In this episode of One Breath, Katie Jackson speaks with Luciana Blanco-Villegas, a champion freediver and conservationist, about her transformative journey from fear of the ocean to becoming a record-holding freediver. They discuss the empowerment of women through ocean conservation projects in Kenya, the importance of understanding marine life, and the lessons learned from freediving, including patience and mindfulness. Luciana shares her experiences with shark behavior and the need for better education around it, as well as her exciting new project aimed at connecting freediving enthusiasts with retreats around the world.

Takeaways

• Luciana's journey began with a fear of sharks but evolved into a passion for freediving.
• The ocean has a powerful connection to creativity and wellbeing.
• Empowering women through coral restoration projects in Kenya is crucial.
• Freediving teaches patience and mindfulness, essential for personal growth.
• Understanding shark behaviour can reduce fear and promote conservation.
• Community building is vital for ocean conservation efforts.
• Freediving can be accessible to all ages and skill levels.
• The ocean provides a unique opportunity for personal transformation.
• Reframing fear into curiosity can enhance the freediving experience.
• Creating a centralized platform for freediving retreats can benefit both instructors and participants.

Keywords

freediving, ocean empowerment, coral restoration, women's empowerment, shark behavior, mindfulness, ocean conservation, underwater photography, community building, personal growth

Titles

From Fear to Freedom: Luciana's Ocean Journey

Empowerment Through the Ocean: Coral Restoration in Kenya

Sound Bites

"Freediving is not a sport that you can push"

"People want to protect what they love"

"We created a webpage for freediving retreats"

YouTube

This episode can also be viewed in video format on the One Breath Creative YouTube channel;

https://www.youtube.com/@OneBreathCreative

Guest Details

You can follow more of Luciana's journey via her socials;

https://www.instagram.com/lucianaloveslife/

Further information on Luciana's projects;

• ⁠BookFreedivingRetreats.com⁠ (retreats, events, work and blog with the freediving community).
• ⁠REEFolution⁠ (the NGO in Kenya Luciana collaborates with)

To binge even more great episodes of the One Breath- Conversations Below the Surface podcast with Katie Jackson; go to Spotify, ABC Listener Australia, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts and subscribe to more episodes in this exciting first series exploring the transformative power of the ocean.