Courage and Calmness: Lessons from Lee Carlson
Introduction
- Courage is about staying calm, not bravado.
- Lee Carlson, a former soldier and accomplished freediver, exemplifies calmness.
- Holds records in freediving, including diving over 260 feet on one breath and holding her breath for seven minutes.
- Focus on what freediving teaches about managing fear and stress.
Lee Carlson's Entry into Freediving
- Initially afraid of the ocean, wanted to explore her fears.
- Freediving was terrifying at first but became a way to surpass mental limitations.
- Felt complete freedom and solitude underwater.
Physiology of Freediving
- Lungs compress under water pressure, making it comfortable.
- At 10 meters depth, lungs are half their size; brain perceives an abundance of oxygen.
- Urge to breathe returns near the surface, making the last 10 meters the most dangerous.
Records and Achievements
- Unofficial world record for diving under pack ice in Greenland.
- Nordic and Swedish records in pool and depth diving.
- Training record at 80 meters (240 feet).
Life Between Two Worlds
- Lives between Stockholm, Sweden, and Mauritius.
- Interacts with ocean life, especially sperm whales and dolphins.
- Freediving allows close encounters with marine animals without disturbing them.
Under Ice Diving
- Faced childhood fear of being trapped under ice.
- Training involved holding a breath for seven minutes and adapting to cold conditions.
- Challenges involved unpredictable conditions and safety hazards.
Personal Transformation
- Freediving as self-medication and a way to face fears.
- Transitioned from a high-stress military career to a calmer life.
- Therapy and freediving helped overcome PTSD and emotional barriers.
The Importance of Breathing
- Breathing is critical to managing stress, not just for freediving but in everyday life.
- Shallow mouth breathing activates stress responses; deep, mindful breathing through the nose promotes relaxation.
- Use of diaphragm (ribcage expansion) rather than just the abdomen.
- Longer exhales than inhales to engage the parasympathetic nervous system.
Practical Applications
- Breathing techniques can be used in daily life to manage stress and anxiety.
- Breathing can transform physical and emotional states, fostering resilience.
Conclusion
- Freediving teaches effective stress management, applicable to life above water.
- It's about control and choice, choosing peace over stress.
- Encourages practice of good breathing habits and self-kindness.
Additional Insights
- Freediving offers lessons in letting go and choosing freedom over unnecessary stress.
- Breathing for life, not just survival, is key to both freediving and living well.
These notes summarize the key points and insights from the discussion with Lee Carlson, offering a comprehensive view of how freediving informs stress management and personal growth.