Do not limit yourself with:
- I can’t
- I don’t know how
- I don’t understand
- I’m too old
- I’m too inexperienced
- I’ve never done this before
- It’s too late
- I don’t have the energy
- I don’t have the time
- I don’t have the money
- I’m sick
Whatever it is that you want to do, know that it’s enough just to want to do it.
The rest is simply a matter of designing how to make it happen.
Ask
Try
Learn
Discover
Believe
Seek the answers through connection
Find partners
Take classes
Search
But don’t wait … the world needs just what only you can offer.
***
On Sunday I attended the Mediterranean Expo in Istanbul and had the pleasure of meeting two world record holders in freediving – Pipin Ferreras and Şahika Ercümen.
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| Me, Pipin Ferreras and Şahika Ercümen photo: Nuno Ponte – Turk Sub |
Şahika is the current world record holder for her recent 110 meter under ice free dive. Her motto? You define the limits.
In her presentation she talked about how she overcame debilitating asthma to become an athlete and how most recently she trained to break the world record in under ice freediving.
Want to know some of her secrets?
- Meditation & Yoga
- Psychological warfare
- Mental fortitude
- Sacrifice
- Passion
- Determination
Though I wasn’t able to interview Pipin, I was especially fortunate to get a few minutes with Şahika. My first question for her was “How are you able to make a living doing what you love?”
Her plan for financing her world-record breaking path was quite unconventional: compete on – and win – Fear Factor Turkiye Extreme. She did win and used the prize money to finance her first year of training. Once that ran out she sought sponsorship which is how she now fuels her intense training schedule and assembles her team.
In addition, as a prime example of creative entrepreneurship, she’s designing a way to combine her nutritionist practice with her passion for freediving. You can see this in the courses and nutrition programs she’s planning to offer on her website.
With a line of fans stacked up behind me waiting to speak to Şahika, I finished up by asking if she had any advice for us.
“I want them to know that even though I was born with asthma and was told I couldn’t dive, I’m now breaking world records. People can do anything they want to do – anything that they choose to do. They just have to believe they can do it and stay focused on their goals to overcome the challenges.”
If you want my advice, watch this video of Şahika underwater and rethink what you think has been holding you back.
