The Freedive Cafe Podcast

Enchante Gallardo is a Hawaii born freediving athlete who has recently surpassed the 100m depth.In this episode we discuss:Enchanted was born and raised on Oahu, Hawaii.She went to school in California and lived for many years in Puerto Rico.She did her first course with FII in Hawaii and immediately fell in love.She spent a lot of time around the water as a kid in Hawaii.About surfing and growing up surfing, and wild ocean conditions.Questions from Patreon supporter Philip.About training freediving in Hawaii, the set up and ocean life there.Congratulations on strong performances in both the AIDA and CMAS World Championships in 2024.A black out at the beginning of Vertical Blue last year and how Enchante recovered.How Enchante balances being a mom with two young boys and training for elite level freediving.How did she prepare for and periodise training leading up to the big competitions.Shout out to Enchante’s coach Tom Peled.Base training, running, strength training and flexibility strategies.Her experience with squeezing.DESERT ISLAND QUESTIONS - Patreon Exclusive ContentPlans for 2025?Why does she freedive?For all episodes of the Freedive Cafe Podcast, visit www.freedivecafe.comFor freediving courses and training in Dahab, Egypt, visit www.freediveandthrive.comTo support on Patreon: www.patreon.com/freedivecafe

Heike Schwerdtner is a trainer of nurses from Germany and also the first woman to beat Natalia Molchanova's static apnea world record. A record that has stood for eleven years.In this episode we discuss:Heike recently broke the 11 year old STA record held by Natalia Molchanova.Shout out to her coach Rami Bladlav who appeared on episode #133Heike lives in Bavaria in Germany.Heike started swimming at 3 years and began training springboard diving from 7 to 12 years old, then was a professional swimmer until 18 years old.Heike started her apnea journey at 40 years old.Did apnea help release trauma?Did her childhood in the water contribute to her abilities?Rami Bladlav appeared on episode #133 of the podcast.She doesn’t do much CO2 training.Big shout out to Heike’s partner Klaus for his help in training.Does Heike use hyperventilation in her statics and how much?Heike’s nutrition strategy and how much does she fast?Why does she choose a predominantly plant-based diet?What kind of supplementation does she use?Heike is a nurse trainer.Shout out to the Patreon supporters!A question from patron Tom about measuring blood glucose and its relation to hypoxia.A question from a patron Adrien about memory loss from long statics.A question from patron Marc about the day of the world record.Mental strategy for long statics.How dynamic training enhances static performance.Does Heike have her sights on the depths?What complementary apnea does she do?DESERT ISLAND QUESTIONS  - Patreon exclusive section!Another massive shout out to her partner Klaus! And to buddy Katerin!For all episodes of the Freedive Cafe Podcast, visit www.freedivecafe.comFor freediving courses and training in Dahab, Egypt, visit www.freediveandthrive.comTo support on Patreon: www.patreon.com/freedivecafe

Lotta Ericson is co-founder, owner and manager of Freedive Dahab, the longest established freediving centre in Dahab, Egypt. She has a deep history in freediving as a competitive athlete and developer of the freediving education systems.In this episode we discuss:We are in Home Sweet Home, Dahab for this one!Lotta is from Sweden and was a social worker before moving to Egypt.Lotta’s early days in Dahab, starting in 1998.Shout out to Tom Sietas, Episode #52 of the podcast.How Dahab has changed over the last 25 years.Disappearance of the Israelis.The old trip to The Blue Hole, state of the road etcAbandoned resorts, building projects along the coast.The trash situation in Dahab, out of control? Or better than ever?The state of Dahab’s waters, reefs and fish populations.Did Jacques Cousteau blow up The Blue Hole?The development of freediving in Dahab and The Blue Hole.The birth of freediving competitions in The Blue Hole.What happened to the decompression chamber in Dahab? How freediving competitions have changed over the years.How Freedive Dahab came to be and it’s many locations.Desert Island Questions - Patreon Exclusive SectionDoes Lotta still like Dahab?Why does she freedive?For all episodes of the Freedive Cafe Podcast, visit www.freedivecafe.comFor freediving courses and training in Dahab, Egypt, visit www.freediveandthrive.comTo support on Patreon: www.patreon.com/freedivecafe

Samo Jeranko is an elite freediver and top-level coach to freediving athletes, based in Slovenia. In this episode we take a deep dive into the coaching and training strategies he employs for his clients and himself.In this episode we discuss:Samo was recently in Croatia for spearfishing and the sea temperature was worryingly warm.Samo Jeranko first appeared on episode #86 of The Freedive Cafe Podcast.Samo now has two long daughters of 3 and a half years old and 6 weeks old.How does having young children affect his ability to train?Samo is working as a freediving coach both in person and online.We discuss the Norwegian Method - the advanced training methodology of Norway’s top athletes.A question from Patreon supporter Matthias about specific testing for his coached athletes.The importance of good aerobic and strength bases in the early part of the season.The biggest mistake freediving athletes make when planning their season.About the 10 x 50 DNF exercise and its value.How to train Co2 with dry exercises.A question from Patreon supporter Vittorio about using dry exercises to facilitate depth adaptation.How does Samo approach the situation where a client suffers from barotrauma?Thoughts on partially empty and fully empty lung dives.On the dangers of hyperventilation.Deep dive into the dynamics of strength training for freediving and periodisation.Differences between male and female athletes and the influence of the menstrual cycle on training.Tips on the best way to recover and get ready for the next dive session.Nervous system repair and recovery.The three fundamentals of recoveryTranscendental meditation.A question from Patreon supporter Darren about rebuilding trust after a blackout.Thoughts on the current state of freediving organisations and the doping scandal.For all episodes of the Freedive Cafe Podcast, visit www.freedivecafe.comFor freediving courses and training in Dahab, Egypt, visit www.freediveandthrive.comTo support on Patreon: www.patreon.com/freedivecafe