The Deep Joy Podcast

Caroline Spitzer

The mental game of Freediving.
Stories, science and soul from below the surface.

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23 episodes
Avg 40 min
English

Episodes 23

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#28
Today · 48 min
E28: Daniel Droste - Train smart
Today I'm speaking with Daniel Droste, a South African freediver and coach who grew up in Asia and swam competitively into his twenties. He discovered performance freediving in Egypt in 2020, progressed fast, then stalled at 70m. Adaptation training changed everything, letting him dive much deeper with ease. His approach focuses on finding joy in the dive, building a nervous system that feels safe underwater, and developing mental and physical adaptations on shallow dives. Now based in Portugal, Dan runs Kelpshark Freediving, an online coaching studio. Using adapted mouthfill and alternative breathwork strategies, he has helped dozens of divers add many meters to their PBs without simply "training harder." Follow us on instagram @deepjoypodcast @kelpsharkfreediving @carospitzer
#1
September 8 · 49 min
E27: Viktoria Urbanek - The Importance of Community
Today I'm speaking with Viktoria Urbanek, a freediving instructor and competitive athlete, and founder of One Breath Austria. She holds several Austrian national records and has competed at multiple world championships. Though landlocked, Austria's lakes offer excellent training conditions, and Viktoria is building a freediving community around them, because for her, the sport only truly works within a strong, well-functioning community. Follow us on instagram @deepjoypodcast @viktoriaurbanek @carospitzer
#26
August 18 · 40 min
E26: Gen Morris - Freediving as a way to find balance
In today's episode I'm speaking with Gen Morris. Living through the elements to find balance. Gen uses freediving to drop into the fluid stillness of water, climbing to connect with the raw strength of the rock, and kitesurfing to dance with the power of the wind. For over a decade, she’s been guiding people into the world of adventure sports, sharing how a deep conversation with earth, air, and water can ground the mind, build true resilience, and restore equilibrium to everyday life. Follow us on instagram @deepjoypodcast @gen.in.motion @carospitzer
August 6 · 11 min
E25.3: Why Depth? - Stefan Randig
Today's episode is the third and final episode of the little mini-series called "Why Depth?" For this series, I invited three different freedivers and asked them the exact same questions. Everyone comes from a different background, has different experiences, and their own relationship with depth. I was curious to see what would come up. Maybe these conversations will encourage you to reflect on your own reasons for diving. I don't think there's one right answer, but I do think understanding your answer can completely change the way you experience the sport. The third conversation is with Stefan Randig, a freediving athlete, multiple national record holder, Instructor Trainer, and coach with over 20 years of experience. And if you'd like to hear more from Stefan beyond this short conversation, make sure to check out his full episode previously recorded on the podcast.
August 5 · 11 min
E25.2: Why Depth? - Mickael Piccard
Today's episode is the second of a little mini-series called "Why Depth?" For this series, I invited three different freedivers and asked them the exact same questions. Everyone comes from a different background, has different experiences, and their own relationship with depth. I was curious to see what would come up. Maybe these conversations will encourage you to reflect on your own reasons for diving. I don't think there's one right answer, but I do think understanding your answer can completely change the way you experience the sport. The second conversation is with Mickael Piccard, a French freediving and mental coach who works with divers at every level—from beginners to competitive athletes. And if you'd like to hear more from Micka beyond this short conversation, make sure to check out his full episode previously recorded on the podcast.
August 4 · 13 min
E25.1: Why Depth? - David Mellor
This week's episode is going to be a little mini-series called "Why Depth?" For this series, I invited three different freedivers and asked them the exact same questions. Everyone comes from a different background, has different experiences, and their own relationship with depth. I was curious to see what would come up. Maybe these conversations will encourage you to reflect on your own reasons for diving. I don't think there's one right answer, but I do think understanding your answer can completely change the way you experience the sport. The first conversation is with David Mellor. David has been freediving for 13 years and competing for the last six. He's a multiple World Record holder, and the first 60-year-old to dive to 100 metres in competition. And if you'd like to hear more from David beyond this short conversation, make sure to check out his full episode previously recorded on the podcast.
#24
July 21 · 46 min
E24: Andrea Marengo - The Mindset of a Safety Diver
Today I’m speaking to Andrea Marengo, an Italian freediving instructor and deep safety diver based in Dahab, Egypt. He works mainly as a deep safety diver for competitive athletes and in competitions, while also teaching safety courses and beginners. In this episode we dive deep into the safety aspect of Freediving and making the link to Andrea's past experience as a rafting guide and safety. Follow us o instagram @deepjoypodcast @andrea_marengo.9 @carospitzer
#1
July 7 · 44 min
E23: Stefan Randig - Sustainability in Freediving
Stefan is a freediving athlete, Instructor Trainer, and coach with 20 years of experience. He is passionate about exploring our potential through breath, movement, and water. He believes in freediving not only as a sport, but also as a sustainable activity that can bring calm, health, and joy at any stage of life. Follow us on instagram: @deepjoypodcast @stefanrandig @carospitzer
#22
June 23 · 39 min
E22: Amira Khalil - First World Championships
Amira Khalil is a competitive Freediver and AIDA Instructor who believes that growth happens beyond comfort zones. After representing Egypt at the AIDA Pool World Championships, she continues to inspire others through teaching, coaching, and sharing the lessons learned both in and out of the water. Follow us on instagram @deepjoypodcast @amira.a.khalil @carospitzer
#1
June 9 · 48 min
E21: Mickael Piccard - Relax... But How?
Today I’m speaking to Mickael Piccard, a French freediving coach who works with divers at every level—from beginners to competitive athletes. One thing that runs through all of his coaching is the importance of relaxation and learning how to access deeper states of calm. Which is exactly what we’re diving into in this episode. Follow us on instagram @deepjoypodcast @micka.pi @carospitzer
#20
March 17 · 40 min
E20: Kim Houghton - Peak Performance through Physiology
This is the second episode with Kimberley Houghton, a Peak Performance Coach who has spent the last ten years training with some of the best organisations in the world. As a specialist in human behaviour, her training includes neuroscience, flow states, and mindset. Kimberley works with athletes and leaders, and her specialist training in trauma allows her to work at a much deeper level with her clients. She has been freediving for the past few years and quickly recognized the important role our nervous system plays in our diving and has since then been passionate about sharing this information with other Freedivers.
#19
March 3 · 24 min
E19: Caro Spitzer - Understanding Burnout in Freediving
Today I'm sharing another solo episode where we are talking about Freediving burnout - how we drift into it, why it happens and how to gently find our ways back to joy. I really want to start doing more solo episodes so if there is a topic that you would like me to explore, please reach out and let me know. follow me on instagram @deepjoypodcast @carospitzer
#18
February 17 · 47 min
E18: Ahmed Bambino - The Mindset behind the Squeeze
Ahmed Bambino is An Aida instructor trainer, the founder of One Breath Academy and a high-performance freediving coach. He has guided athletes to national records using his6 years experience combining deep expertise in technique, CO₂ tolerance, and nervous system control. Praised in reviews for his supportive, results-driven coaching, Ahmed helps divers reach new personal and competitive depths safely and confidently. Based on his experience as an Aida competition organizer and Judge. follow us on instagram @deepjoypodcast @one-breathak @carospitzer
#17
February 3 · 37 min
E17: Jindřiška Zajacová - Growing up at Depth
Jindřiška is a Czech freediving athlete, instructor, and swim coach. She is a multiple national record holder and a pool WCH medalist. Thrown into the pool by her parents in early childhood, she has remained in the water ever since, pursuing and sharing her passion for freediving. follow us on instagram @deepjoypodcast @jindriskazajacova-freediver @carospitzer
#16
January 20 · 46 min
E16: Michele Usai - Fast Progress towards Depth
Michele Usai is an Italian Freediver from Sardinia. In recent years, he has committed himself fully to freediving, embracing the discipline, physical conditioning, and mental strength that he believes are essential to excel in this sport. Since entering depth competitions last year, he has achieved top-level results, becoming an Italian Champion, freshwater World Record holder in CNF, and Vice Italian Champion in CWT. He has reached depths beyond 100 meters in several disciplines. follow us on instagram @deepjoypodcast @michele.apnea @carospitzer
#15
January 6 · 56 min
E15: Aaron Fisher - Static and the Athlete Mind
Aaron Fisher is a Canadian national record holder in static breath-holding who’s deeply curious about the mind, meditation, surrender, and the nervous system. After years of studying breath and body practices and developing custom meditations that helped him break through his own barriers, he now works with other athletes to do the same. Follow us on instagram: @deepjoypodcast @theawakeningself @ carospitzer
#14
Dec 23, 2025 · 46 min
E14: Maria Bobela - Small Steps to Success
Maria Bobela is a Polish Freediver and World Champion (2024), competing in depth disciplines. She is the founder of "DROP Freediving", under which she operates, teaches Freediving using a holistic approach and provides in-person coaching in multiple international locations, and author-led workshops. Follow us on instagram @deepjoypodcast @mariabobela @carospitzer
#13
Dec 9, 2025 · 51 min
E13: David Mellor - Depth Beyond Age
David Mellor is a Freediver with 13 years in the water and 6 years competition experience. He's a seven time CMAS Masters Category 2 World Record Holder, a UK National Record Holder, and the first 60-year-old to dive to 100 meters in competition. Follow us un instagram @deepjoypodcast @mellsterman @carospitzer
#89
Nov 26, 2025 · 51 min
E12: Davide Carrera - The Power of Vulnerability
Davide Carrera is an Italian freediver and world-record holder, known for diving to depths of 130 meters and setting both national and world records. He combines his athletic passion with a deep commitment to nature, spirituality, and healthy living; drawing on yoga, meditation, and sustainable lifestyle practices to inspire and coach others. Follow us on instagram @deepjoypodcast @davidecarrerafreediving @carospitzer
#11
Nov 11, 2025 · 42 min
E11: Eugen Goettling - Discipline under pressure
Eugen is an Austrian Freediver and national record holder. He learnt to dive in the military and in this episode he is sharing a very different approach to Freediving than what most of us are used to.

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