From Picky Eater to Diver: How Trying New Things Can Change Your Life

From Veggies to Wetsuits: A Journey of Taste and Depth

Growing up, I was a picky eater who would refuse to eat anything that didn't look or taste good. I avoided vegetables like the plague and relied heavily on meat, cheese, fruit and milk (or yoohoo) for sustenance. However, as I got older, I began to realize the importance of healthier eating and the impact it has on our lives. As a result, I made a conscious decision to adopt a more vegan-like lifestyle, and I have never looked back since.

Eating more like a vegan was not an easy decision, and it required a lot of discipline and self-control on my part. I'm not a strict vegan but, I do believe that it has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. Not only do I feel healthier and more energetic, but I also feel a sense of satisfaction knowing that I am doing my small part in preserving animal life and protecting the environment.

Interestingly, I have found that my journey as a vegan has some striking similarities with my experience as a scuba diver and freediver. Just as I was once a finicky eater who refused to try new things, many people are hesitant to take up diving due to a variety of reasons ranging from fear to lack of interest.

When I speak with non-divers, I often hear comments like "it's too dangerous" or "I don't have the time." Similarly, as a picky eater, I once held beliefs that vegetables were gross and unappetizing. However, my perspective changed when I tried them prepared differently or cooked in new ways. Similarly, many people who try diving for the first time often find that their initial fears and doubts were unfounded.

Diving has been a life-changing experience for me, just like adopting a vegan lifestyle. It has opened my eyes to the beauty and wonders of the underwater world, it challenged my beliefs and has taught me the importance of preserving our oceans and marine life. The sense of freedom and weightlessness that comes with diving is unparalleled, and it is an experience that everyone should try at least once in their lifetime.

We have try diving opportunities year round for anyone in reasonably good health and willing to give it a go. In SCUBA diving, it is called a Discover SCUBA Diving course and takes less than 1 hour in the pool. For freediving, you can sign up for the pool only experience and is class and pool expereince in less than one day. With either of these programs, you can then decide whether to continue on to the full certification program.

In conclusion, whether it is through changing our eating habits or taking up a new hobby like freediving or scuba diving, it is important to be open-minded and willing to try new things. Our perspective on life can change drastically when we venture outside our comfort zone and explore new experiences. As someone who has benefited greatly from both a vegan lifestyle and diving, I encourage everyone to embrace new experiences and live life to the fullest. Give it a try!