Click here to read the first part of the story.
Let me set the scene: it’s the middle of the pandemic, and I’m stuck on dry land, staring at the ocean from my window. With no diving on the horizon, I needed something to keep my mind from going stir-crazy. So, I started training static apnea in my living room and jotting down ideas about freediving. A small book about a four-week training plan for static apnea was born there, and the seed for The Depth Collector was planted.
What began as a fun side project quickly turned into something more. A napkin sketch in a Taipei restaurant—originally outlining four training pillars—evolved into a full framework of eight. That napkin became the foundation of The Depth Collector.
Writing this book felt like freediving itself: full of challenges, breakthroughs, and more than a few facepalm moments. But just like in the water, persistence paid off. Here’s the story of how those scribbles turned into a guide for freedivers to train smarter, dive deeper, and connect with the ocean and themselves.
The Eight Pillars of Freediving Training
If there’s one thing I’ve learned about freediving, it’s that there’s no single path to success. Honestly, even defining “success” in this sport is tricky—and perhaps that’s part of its beauty. It’s certainly a topic I plan to explore in a future article. But here’s what I do know: to grow and excel as a freediver, these eight fundamental building blocks, this eight pillar of freediving training are the essential steps that create the foundation for every freediver’s journey.
Pillar 1: The Art of Managing the Burn (CO2 Tolerance) It’s about training your brain’s chemoreceptors to embrace the burn, to stay comfortable as CO2 levels rise, and to remain calm when your body starts screaming. CO2 tolerance weaves into every aspect of your dive.
Pillar 2: Dancing with Hypoxia (Hypoxia Resistance) Hypoxia is the quiet companion of deep dives. We’re all, at some point, flirting with it—like a flame that we can’t resist getting closer to. This pillar is about learning how to approach that flame without getting burned. It’s about training your body to adapt to low oxygen levels and teaching your brain to see the drop in O2 not as a threat but as something you can understand and control.
Pillar 3: The Science of Efficiency (Technical Skills) Freediving is all about working smarter, not harder. From nailing the perfect equalization to gliding effortlessly with flawless finning, this pillar is your guide to moving with grace and precision in an element 1,000 times denser than air. Energy conservation is king.
Pillar 4: Embracing the Pressure (Anatomical Adaptation) As you dive deeper, your body transforms in ways that seem almost magical. This pillar is about embracing those changes—training your body to handle the squeeze of pressure and adapt seamlessly to the underwater world.
Anatomical breakdown: The 8 key muscles involved in a freediver's final breath for maximum efficiency and lung capacity. Pillar 5: Mastering the Mental Maze (Mental Hacks) The mind is your greatest paradox—both your anchor in the chaos and the storm that stirs it. This pillar dives into mastering mental clarity—techniques to sharpen your focus, keep relaxation steady, and overcome the mental hurdles that can define your experience beneath the surface.
Pillar 6: Building Your Engine (Physical Preparation) Strength and endurance are the engines that power every athlete, and freedivers are no exception. This pillar pushed me to rethink everything I knew about physical preparation for freediving. Here, we dive deep into training methods designed specifically to build the physical capacity needed to excel beneath the surface.
Anatomy of No-Fins Freediving: Highlighting the key muscle groups involved in efficient propulsion and control during no-fins dives. Pillar 7: Fueling the Dive (Sport Nutrition) What you eat fuels every moment underwater. This pillar is about understanding and choosing the right nutrition to power your dives, sustain your endurance, and speed up recovery—all while mastering the perfect timing to ensure your body performs at its peak.
Pillar 8: The Power of Stillness (Rest and Recovery) Progress isn’t just about training harder—it’s about understanding the rhythms that drive your performance. This pillar explores the critical role of rest in balancing effort, from syncing your training with your circadian rhythm to avoiding the pitfalls of overtraining. Rest isn’t just downtime; it’s when your body adapts, repairs, and grows stronger, ensuring every dive builds on the last.
These pillars are more than theoretical concepts; they’re actionable tools designed to evolve with each diver’s unique journey. Tested and refined through years of real-world application, they form the backbone of the book and offer a roadmap for growth, exploration, and mastery in the world of freediving.
I couldn’t stop there—I had to make these books even more special.
I wanted to do more than just write a book—I wanted to create an experience. So, I started shooting video tutorials for each of the exercises, which you can access through QR codes scattered throughout the pages. To make it even more engaging, I added detailed anatomical illustrations and playful designs.
Oh, and keep an eye out for the little octopus in a hoodie—he’s there to help explain tricky concepts and keep things fun!
In addition to the core pillars, The Depth Collector dives deeper with extra chapters filled with vital knowledge and practical tools. Here’s a sneak peek of what’s inside:
Freediving Injuries: No one likes to think about injuries, but being prepared can make all the difference. This chapter is packed with practical strategies for preventing setbacks, recovering like a pro, and bouncing back stronger than ever.
Freediving Safety: Ever wondered how the pros safety plan their dives? This chapter reveals tested lessons from real-world scenarios and even includes a professional-grade calculator to help you master safety planning with precision.
Periodization of Training is the secret sauce for long-term progress. Complex ideas about structuring your training in and out of the water are broken down into simple, actionable steps.
Training Plans: Two ultra-detailed, day-by-day training plans are included. One spans five months for dedicated freedivers, and the other offers a three-day-per-week option for those juggling a busy life. Both plans cover progression in and out of the water.
Breathing Techniques: These advanced exercises are designed to revolutionize your freediving game. Whether it’s relaxation, performance, or recovery, you’ll find techniques that make a real difference.
Interviews with Freediving Experts: Imagine sitting down with Nathan Vinski, Heike Schwerdtner, Patrick Theo Fourcade, Wen Hsiang Huang, Dr. Juani Valdivia, Marco Cosentino, and Angela Leibinger. Their stories, insights, and advice bring a unique perspective.
Video Tutorials: The book contains video tutorials for every exercise, accessible through QR codes. It’s like having a personal freediving coach right at your fingertips.
A Call to Explore
Honestly, summing up these books feels like trying to describe the ocean. They’ve been my silent companions, my underwater journal, and my map through the depths for the past three years. But here’s the thing: treasures aren’t meant to stay hidden—they’re meant to be discovered. Take the plunge and see for yourself. Grab a copy, or dip your toes in with a free chapter by subscribing to the newsletter. Who knows? It might just change the way you train, dive, and connect with the ocean and yourself.
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