Anna-Karina Schmitt is a German freediver based in Switzerland. Today we talk about the technicalities of diving in lakes and the challenges of living with multiple sclerosis and how freediving inspires her healthy lifestyle.

In this episode we discuss:

Anna and I had some real challenges getting the interview done. It took 4 attempts!
She was going into have surgery on her ankle the day before the interview.
Anna is from Germany, but now lives in Switzerland.
Her first forays into freediving in the lake in Switzerland and then with Samo Jeranko.
Anna had a world record in the lake in CNF at the time of recording.
Optimising life for freediving.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of diving in the lake?
Question from Patreon supporter Philip about lake safety conditions.
How they manage safety in the lake. Torches, depth sounders.
Questions from Patreon supporters about higher risk of squeezing in the lake.
The interview got stopped! We reconnected a week later after Anna-Karina got out from her ankle surgery.
What is multiple sclerosis and how does it affect Anna?
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease.
How freediving and the freediving lifestyle support Anna’s challenges with MS.
What does a typical week of freediving training look like for Anna?
Does she use cold water immersion for dealing with the cold in the lake.
A question from Patreon supporter Tony about dive response in the lake.
Reference to Episode #62 With Kiki Bosch.
Anna’s approach to nutrition and supplementation.
DESERT ISALND QUESTIONS - PATREON EXCLUSIVE
A dive she will always remember?
Why does she freedive?

For all episodes of the Freedive Cafe Podcast, visit www.freedivecafe.com

For freediving courses and training in Dahab, Egypt, visit www.freediveandthrive.com

To support on Patreon: www.patreon.com/freedivecafe

Jani Valdivia is from Peru and is based in Tampa, Florida where he works as a neurosurgeon.

He is also a member of the AIDA Science and Medical Committee and a competitive freediver himself.

Juani also appeared on episodes #99 and #135.

In this episode we discuss:

Catching up with Juani.
Juani was on Long Island, Bahamas at the time of the interview, preparing for Vertical Blue, 2025.
Remote assessment of an injured freediver.
An example scenario of a remote assessment, using lung squeeze.
The Slow Controlled Forced Exhale technique.
Assessment for DCI related or DCI-like symptoms.
MFSCO2 (Mask - motor memory, Fins - fine motor skills, Snorkel - Speech, C - coordination/balance, O - orientation, 2 - vision, eye sight and eyes)
Juani already did a real-world assessment on Donny.
What is Telemedicine?
A question from Patreon member Jorg about telemedicine.
Shout out to Johnny Sunnex.A question from Patreon member Andrew Ferris about what Juani wishes every new freediver knew about their body from the start.
On tracking variables such as resting heart rate and heart rate variability, blood pressure, body weight, etc.
A question from Patreon member Christian Stein, about how freediving interacts with the nervous system.
On over-training and sleep deprivation.
Study suggesting ROS (reactive oxygen species) peak, increase after 3 days of diving.
Defining what is DCI (Decompression Illness).
The importance of being prepared for DCI-like issues.
What is PFO and what does it mean for the freediver?
An incident Donny experienced after a dive.
What is supraventricular tachycardia and can valsalva manoeuvre fix it?
Better post-black out care for freedivers.
A question from Patreon member Adrian about research on freediving’s effects on brain health and cognitive function.
A question from Patreon member Tony Scafidi about fast dive times making a squeeze more likely.
Jauni’s non-profit organisation for freediving research and awareness (UNU Freediving Foundation).

For all episodes of the Freedive Cafe Podcast, visit www.freedivecafe.com

For freediving courses and training in Dahab, Egypt, visit www.freediveandthrive.com

To support on Patreon: www.patreon.com/freedivecafe

Marco Puliafito is from Sicily, Italy. He left an 18 year career at Pfizer pharmaceutical company to open Italy's first dedicated freediving training centre, Blue World Freediving.

In this episode we discuss:

Shout out to our interpreter Tony Scafidi
It was Donny’s first time in Sicily and first time in Italy.
Marco is from Catania, Sicily.
He started freediving as a child, following in the footsteps of his father who was a strong spearfisherman.
Spearfishing is a huge part of the culture in Sicily.
Marco became a freediving instructor in 2012.
Before that he worked for the Pfizer pharmaceutical company for around 18 years.
Blue World Freediving’s first location is at Santa Tecla Palace Hotel.
Blue World Freediving has a second location at Santa Maria La Scala.
Diving from the shore vs diving from the shore.
The boat is set up with sonar, counter ballast, etc.
Sicily’s water conditions, thermocline, visibility, etc.
What facilities and courses do Blue World Freediving offer?
Shout out to Nutso!
Blue World offer Molchanovs, AIDA, SSI and Apnea Academy courses.
They have seven freediving instructors on the team.
What is the future of Blue World Freediving? Competitions?
What are the main attractions of the island of Sicily?
Marco has never seen Le Grand Bleu!
DESERT ISLAND QUESTIONS - Patreon exclusive content.
Why does Marco freedive?

For all episodes of the Freedive Cafe Podcast, visit www.freedivecafe.com

For freediving courses and training in Dahab, Egypt, visit www.freediveandthrive.com

To support on Patreon: www.patreon.com/freedivecafe