🎙️ In celebration of World Oceans Day 2024, Earth Cast (Olivia Taylor) spoke with trail-blazing Rwandan freediving champion, Adrian Ndayambaje, about his journey from first learning to swim, to inspiring others to jump into the water.

In this episode, we talk about the importance of accessibility and inclusivity in pools and the ocean, the intersection of freediving and climate change, and hear stories from when Adrian was just starting out, all the way back in high school.

Adrian shares his thoughts on the importance of providing swimming-related opportunities to people of colour and those facing financial challenges, and advocates for breaking stereotypes and increasing inclusion in all aquatic sports. The discussion also touches on some of the challenges Adrian faces in the water, pollution levels in the oceans and much more.

As Rwanda’s first competitive freediver, Adrian Ndayambaje has made a splash in the global freediving arena. He holds four national records, and is a former lifeguard and currently a student and swimming instructor.

“I want to go where it's dark down there, and I want to plummet and see how far I can go." - Adrian Ndayambaje

In this episode you will learn:

• How Adrian Ndayambaje's journey began with learning to swim in high school and led him to become a lifeguard and swim coach, emphasising the importance of early swimming education.

• The impact of breaking barriers to provide access to sports for people of colour and those with financial challenges, and the changing narratives around inclusivity in swimming.

• Surprising stories from the ocean community, such as a freediving instructor who couldn't swim initially but became an expert in water safety.

• Insights into the disciplines of freediving, including Adrian's record-setting achievements and his preference for statics.

• The significance of ocean inclusivity, accessibility, and drowning prevention, featuring stories of individuals overcoming their fears and becoming comfortable in the water.

• Reflections on the balance between academics, sports, and career, and the role of community support in achieving success, while inviting listeners to share their own water stories and ideas for future episodes.

🎙️Resources

• Connect with Adrian Ndayambaje on social media:

• • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adrian_ndayambaje

  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrian-ndayambaje-4b48031ab/

This podcast was produced by the team at Zapods Podcast Agency:

https://www.zapods.com

Connect with Olivia:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earthcast_/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliviaearth/

Twitter: ⁠https://x.com/earth_cast⁠

🎙️Season 3 | A Manifesto for Surgical Health in Africa *SEASON FINALE*

🎙️In this episode, ⁠@olivia_earth⁠ and Professor Bruce Biccard discuss the learnings from season three. Bruce talks about what he did not expect from his guests, the positive responses regarding tackling this topic, strategies for advocacy, and so much more!

Bruce's work in surgical outcomes in Africa has shown him that until such time as people have access to safe surgery and health equity, any attempts to address climate change and sustainability in Africa will be futile.

Through his work with many clinician investigators across Africa, and other leading experts in the field globally, Bruce has written a book to bridge the gap from academics to the public to explain what could be done to change the plight of surgical health in Africa. This podcast series discusses the draft of the book. You as a listener have the opportunity to read the draft and suggest revisions to make the book more accessible to governments, civil society and communities to ensure it achieves its goal of promoting and improving surgical health in Africa.

Bruce Biccard is Professor and Second Chair in the Department of Anaesthesia and Perioperative Medicine at Groote Schuur Hospital and the University of Cape Town, South Africa. His research interests include global surgery, surgical outcomes and perioperative medicine. He is a proponent of international collaborative research and works extensively with the African Perioperative Research Group (APORG). Their work has been published in high impact medical journals including The Lancet.

In his spare time Bruce is an avid ultra distance cyclist having completed iconic events such as the Race Across South Africa and the Rhino Run.

🎙To follow more of Bruce’s work and the African Perioperative Research Group, and access the draft sections of the book, please visit https://asos.org.za/index.php/book.

🎙️In this episode, Bruce speaks to Professor Salome Maswime and Dr Tinashe Chandauka about health strengthening, a manifesto for safe surgery, the principles on how to get people involved in activities in surgical care and, so much more!

🎙️To comment on the book please visit ⁠https://asos.org.za/index.php/book⁠.

Salome Maswime is the Professor and Head of the Global Surgery Division at the UCT; and an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist. She is the vice-President of the Women in Global Health South Africa; founder and President of the South African Clinician Scientists Society, and Chairperson of the Health Systems Trust board.

Tinashe Chandauka is Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Nandi Life Sciences LLC. He is an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Texas Medical Center Innovation’s Accelerating Cancer Therapeutics (ACT). He holds a PhD from Oxford University where he was a Rhodes Scholar and a medical degree from the University of Cape Town (distinction and honours). He holds medical licenses in the United Kingdom and South Africa. He is a member of the board of directors of AMREF, a global Africa focused healthcare charity.