Apnea: the Sport That Goes Against Modern Life

Fernando Driol
Oct 2
3 min read

In a world that never stops moving, where everything demands speed, results, and constant attention—there’s a sport that dares to move in the opposite direction. It’s not about how many kilometers you run, or how many calories you burn. It’s about staying still. Quieting the mind. Trusting your body while the world fades away underwater.

That sport is freediving.

Also known as apnea, it might seem like an extreme activity, and in many ways, it is. Diving 30, 40, or even 100 meters deep on a single breath isn’t just a physical challenge; it’s a mental journey.

What’s fascinating is that the best freedivers in the world aren’t always the strongest or most athletic. They are the most aware. Because to hold your breath for several minutes underwater, your body only needs one thing: a calm mind.

Mindfulness—the practice of being fully present, moment by moment, without judgment, is essential in freediving. But in this case, it’s not optional. It’s a condition for survival.

As world champion Guillaume Néry puts it:

“Underwater, you can’t escape yourself. There are no distractions. Every thought matters. Every emotion is amplified. If you’re not present, you’re lost.”

He’s right. Because when you descend, your body shifts into a different state:

Your heart rate slows down.
Blood is redirected to your vital organs.
The mammalian dive reflex kicks in.

But for all of that to work, the mind must cooperate. You can’t panic. You can’t fight the urge to breathe. You must observe the sensations, accept them, and let them pass—just as mindfulness teaches us.

Alessia Zecchini, one of the most accomplished freedivers in the world, has spoken openly about how apnea has changed her—not just as an athlete, but as a person. It taught her to regulate anxiety, release control, and trust her body.

Likewise, legendary freediver Herbert Nitsch, who has descended to over 200 meters, once said,

“Every dive is a deep meditation.”And he meant it literally: his training includes hours of conscious breathing, visualization, and mental stillness.

These athletes aren’t fighting their bodies. They are in deep connection with them. They’re present. They’re listening.

So maybe the real challenge isn’t holding your breath. Maybe it’s learning to be fully here, now.

Freediving, more than a sport, is an invitation to make peace with the present moment. While many sports celebrate speed and performance, apnea rewards stillness, surrender, and inner awareness.There’s no music. No crowd. No distractions.Just you, your breath… and the blue silence.

Even if you never dive beyond the surface, freediving offers lessons worth taking with you. It teaches you to breathe deeply before making decisions. To observe without reacting when anxiety appears. To trust your body—it knows more than you think. And to let go of control—because sometimes, peace comes only when you stop resisting.

In a world that constantly pushes us to act, perform, and rush, apnea reminds us that simply being is enough.