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 etc
Abandoned 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 Section
Does Lotta still like Dahab?
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

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 recovery
Transcendental 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.com

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

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

Originally produced between 2019 and 2021, the Lost Episodes of The Freedive Cafe were originally released as exclusive content for Patreon subscribers, then lost to time. Recently unearthed in the Sinai desert, I can now deliver them for your listening pleasure!

This episode with Johnny was originally released on Patreon in July 2020.

To become a supporter of the podcast through Patreon visit:
https://www.patreon.com/freedivecafe

Johnny also appeared on Episode #68

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