Hello! As the founder of Ocean Oriented™, an initiative based in neuroscience, nature, human growth, and creativity, I want to speak from my heart. Researchers have known for years how important a rich nature setting is for our ability to thrive — not only physically, but also mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Ocean Oriented™ is designed as a platform with multiple levels that support ocean-based wellbeing, performance, and emotional growth … while having FUN … and giving back to our oceans to keep them healthy as well.

I personally have always been an ocean soul — I have a father who was a biologist who fostered my love for the world, and I was a scuba diver for most of my life. It was when I discovered freediving, however, that the connection I had with the ocean deepened tremendously and I left scuba diving behind. Freediving is about tapping into natural human ability, and it has a huge component of psychology mixed with biology and physics (see Mammalian Dive reflex). I realized that the skills for learning freediving parallel the skills we psychologists teach patients in evidence-based therapy for anxiety, depression, and trauma … and those skills are helpful for anyone who wants to improve performance and resiliency to stress. This huge overlap had me fascinated and hooked.

Freediving kept bringing me such balance, growth, adventure, and community … so I kept following it. It was an honor to spend my journey with ocean sister / PADI Instructor Stephanie Schuldt (@FreediverSteph) and skilled dive photographer Laurent Gloor (@LCGloor). After I finished all levels of certification, I literally laughed when received a mail flyer about becoming an instructor. I’m a psychologist, not a freedive instructor! I went to sleep that night and had a surprising and epic dream about pulling it all together to merge neuroscience with nature to elevate the human experience while giving back to the ocean … and so I did! What a creative, beautiful, and rewarding journey I’ve been able to share with so many wonderful people. ♥

As a clinical health psychologist, executive performance coach, medical professor, speaker, and PADI Freedive Instructor, I am thrilled to fold neuroscience of resiliency into ocean experience to support wellbeing and performance in high-performing people. With each Ocean Oriented™ event, you will learn how to use your brain better for more success and deeper connection in life while we experience and enjoy the beauty of our oceans.

I hope to see you by the sea!