Ever since Miguel was a child, he had always felt a special connection with the sea. When he went underwater, the outside world disappeared, and he felt at home. Years later, that fascination led him to earn his three-star diving certificate from the Spanish Federation of Underwater Activities (FEDAS) . However, Miguel wasn’t satisfied with staying there. He felt there was something deeper waiting for him at the bottom of the ocean. That’s when he made the decision: he wanted to become a professional diver.
The first step for Miguel was not just to get in the water and improve his diving skills. He knew that if he wanted to face the most challenging dives, where pressure, limited visibility and heavy equipment would be his routine, he had to start by preparing his body and mind for what was to come. The next chapter of his life began outside the water.
The first lesson: Strengthen the core
Miguel had heard other professional divers talk about the importance of the core, those muscles in the abdomen and lower back that, without you even realizing it, support your entire body underwater. At first, he didn't quite understand it, but during one of his longest dives, where he had to swim against a strong current, he understood: his body, especially his core, was what allowed him to move with agility and control his movements without expending too much energy.
He decided to focus on strengthening that key area. So, every morning before he started his day, he would find himself doing planks in his living room, feeling his core muscles tighten. “Just 30 more seconds,” he would tell himself. Slowly, he began to notice a change. The front and side planks, along with the leg raises, began to take effect. His body felt firmer, more controlled. He knew that stability would be crucial when he was in deeper, more dangerous waters.
Equipment Weight: Preparing your legs and back
Miguel had carried scuba gear before, but it wasn’t until he started practicing with larger, heavier tanks that he understood how exhausting it can be. His back and legs were the first to suffer from carrying gear and walking along shore or docks. He needed more strength, and not just out of the water. In the water, that weight also affected his buoyancy and ability to move efficiently.
He began training more seriously, doing squats, deadlifts, and rows. Each rep reminded him why he was doing it: with each dive, his body would have to be ready to withstand the pressure and weight, both physically and mentally. He could feel his legs getting stronger with each squat, and his back getting stronger with each lift. “This isn’t just to get stronger,” he thought. “It’s to keep me safe when the water pushes me hard.”
Breathing: The Art of Controlling Air
If there's one thing Miguel quickly learned when diving, it's that breathing control is key. It's not just a matter of saving oxygen, but of staying calm. On a dive, especially at deeper levels, every inhalation and exhalation can make the difference between staying in control or panicking.
So, two or three times a week, Miguel went to the pool to swim laps. It was no longer just for fun; it was part of his training. He focused on his breathing, on controlling the rhythm of his strokes and his airflow. Sometimes, he even practiced apnea exercises, holding his breath underwater for short intervals to improve his lung endurance and prepare for the most intense moments.
But training wasn’t limited to the pool. Miguel also went running. High-intensity intervals became his weekly routine, simulating the moments when underwater, he would have to move quickly and then return to a calm state. Over time, his endurance improved, and more importantly, his ability to control his breathing in stressful situations did too.
Flexibility: Move with agility underwater
One of the biggest challenges of diving in caves or areas with obstacles is the ability to move fluidly and agilely. Miguel, who had always been strong, soon realized that flexibility was also key to avoiding injuries and being more efficient underwater.
So, on the weekends, he started practicing yoga. At first, he was skeptical, but soon realized that these exercises helped him not only improve his flexibility, but also calm his mind before each dive. The stretching positions not only relaxed his body after a week of intense training, but also allowed him to move more easily in tight spaces, without unnecessarily straining his body.
The biggest challenge: The mind
As much as he trained his body, Miguel knew that the real challenge was in his mind. He had heard stories of divers who, in situations of extreme stress, lost control and did not know how to react. He did not want that to happen to him. So he began to practice meditation and mindfulness techniques.
Before each dive, he sat quietly, focusing on his breathing, visualizing each step he was going to take underwater. This concentration exercise not only helped him calm down, but gave him the confidence that no matter what happened, he would be prepared. He knew that stress underwater could strike at any moment, but he also knew he had the mental tools to deal with it.
Miguel's future
With each day of training, Miguel felt closer to his goal: becoming a professional diver. He had already surpassed the recreational level, and he knew that the intermediate level of professional diving he was about to begin would only be the beginning of a new chapter in his life.
Miguel had learned that being a professional diver was not just about technique or equipment. It was a journey of personal transformation, where his body and mind had to be aligned to face the challenges of the ocean. Every push-up, every stroke in the pool, and every minute of meditation brought him closer to his goal. He knew that his effort was not only preparing him for the depths, but also for becoming the best version of himself.
