Her Ocean Story – Details, episodes & analysis

In Episode number 2, your host for Her Ocean Story is interviewing Jessica Pate; she is founder of the Florida Manta Project in collaboration with the Marine Megafauna Foundation as lead scientist and project manager. We will uncover what led Jessica Pate into the field of marine biology, how she overcame her initial anxiety while learning how to scuba dive, all the way until now creating a children's book titled "A Manta Ray's Journey". Hope you find a little bit of inspiration to learn more about giant manta rays from this episode and maybe even have the opportunity to donate or volunteer with the Marine Megafauna Foundation.

Websites to gather more information:
https://marinemegafauna.org/americas/florida-manta-project
https://marinemegafauna.org/
Email: info@marinemegafauna.org

On Episode 3 we dive deep and explore how Lauren Mezzanotte went from full time scuba diving instructor and shark handler, to now a full time 8th grade and high school science and biology teacher.  Hopefully after listening to this episode you are inspired to try scuba diving, excited to see a few sharks underwater, and interested in learning more on how to get involved with marine life conservation groups. If you have any questions after this podcast, feel free to reach out to us through heroceanstory@gmail.com or Lauren's instagram is @laurendafish

Join us as we dive deep into the life and passions of Elaine Hicks, a remarkable clinical social worker, research psychologist, and SSI free diving instructor. In this captivating episode, we'll explore Elaine's fascinating journey, from growing up in a military family overseas to her love for salsa dancing and her role as the creator of the Affinity Dive Tribe. Don't miss this underwater adventure with the one and only Underwater Therapist!

Websites:

affinitydive.com
underwatertherapist.brizy.site

Instragram pages: 

@theunderwatertherapist
@affinitydivetribe
 

For episode 04 of Her Ocean Story, meet the inspirational Army Vet and amputee that's kite surfing, wing foiling, SUPing, and traveling in the best countries around the world for water sports as territory manager and rep for Dakine and Cabrinha, Frances Rivera. She is a below-the-knee amputee but it does not stop her from living the life of her dreams and volunteering within the kite surfing and scuba diving community with organizations such as Wind Sports for Wounded Warriors and Diveheart. Frances' ocean story is motivational and she is a fearless waterwoman at heart who loves to share her joy and stoke on the water.

Websites mentioned in this podcast:
https://www.cabrinha.com/blogs/team/frances-rivera
https://www.facebook.com/WS4WW (Wind Sports 4 Wounded Warriors)
https://www.diveheart.org/

Get in touch with Frances Rivera:
Email:  frances@cabrinha.com
Instagram: @la_fran_kite
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LafranOkite
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frances-osorio-rivera-786361135/

Episode 5 of Her Ocean Story introduces you to Ali Horbach who has been working in commercial real estate for 14 years and 2 years ago decided to get her boat captain license in Sarasota, Florida. She will share what inspired her to start boat tours with yoga and Qi-Gong grounding for healing, mindfulness and connecting with other like-minded individuals. Below is her contact information if you would like to reach out to her for more details. 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fun.fridays.with.captain.ali
Call to Book: 201-212-2339
IG: the_holistic_investor

On Episode 6 of Her Ocean Story we find out how Trisha is training for her first 80 mile stand up paddle (SUP) crossing from Bimini, Bahamas to Lake Worth, Florida. It's a race for the cure for those with Cystic Fibrosis to bring awareness and raise funds to support Piper's Angels Foundation for Cystic Fibrosis.  She just started stand up paddle boarding in 2021, enjoys spending time with the people she has met along the way and is looking forward to her training.  Check out the link for her donation page below along with her sponsers Epic Boardsports in Cocoa Beach, Florida and Starboard SUP.

https://www.classy.org/fundraiser/4881295
https://sup.star-board.com/
https://www.epic-boardsports.com/

Trisha's Instagram: @trishamichellesup

In Episode 7 of Her Ocean Story meet Samuela Mulè, she was born and raised in Italy, and she shares with us what inspired her to move to popular kitesurfing town Cabarete in the Dominican Republic for a different lifestyle on the ocean with her daughter ten years ago. She opened up an airbnb called Mango House on Kite Beach and she talks about the ups and downs of the kitesurfing life in the Caribbean. Follow her on Instagram and visit her airbnb if you're interested in kitesurfing in paradise with some mangú, bachata and merengue on the side. 

Instagram:
@samizulu
@mangohousekite

Cabarete Butterfly Effect
July 10th-13th, 2024
cabaretebutterflyeffect.com

 In Episode 8 of Her Ocean Story, Kylea Perrin shares what inspired her to work with the Florida Sea Turtle Strand and Salvage Network. We learn about her role, the challenges and rewarding aspects of her career, how she got there, and impactful ways to volunteer if you live by the coastline with sea turtles, manatees, or a variety of marine life near by. Below are links from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation, a great place to get started if you would like to volunteer with any local projects or events in Florida. Similar organizations could potentially be in your area as well. Please reach out to us with any questions via email through heroceanstory@gmail.com, Mahalo!

Florida Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network (FLSTSSN)https://myfwc.com/research/wildlife/sea-turtles/mortality/stranding-salvage-network/

Ways to Volunteer: 
https://myfwc.com/get-involved/volunteer/
https://myfwc.com/conservation/special-initiatives/cwci/volunteer/

Gumbo Limbo Nature Center
https://www.myboca.us/2096/Gumbo-Limbo-Nature-Center

At 10:06 in episode: Kylea mentions sea turtle strandings are lower than previous years. She is referring to 2022. The final stranding numbers for 2023 are higher than 2022. This further shows that numbers fluctuate every year so biologists look at the trends over several years before determining if there is an increase or decrease of overall sea turtle strandings

Welcome to Her Ocean Story, a podcast that celebrates the achievements of women in water sports and ocean conservation. In this show, we'll be sharing the stories of women who have overcome obstacles and challenges to pursue their passions in the water.
Our guest in this episode is Kiane , a free diver from Hawaii who has transformed her life through hard work and determination. Kiane started her free-diving journey weighing 326 pounds and has since lost 160 pounds. She'll share her inspiring story of overcoming anxieties related to weight and free-diving, and how she found support and encouragement in the freediving community.
Join us as we dive into Kiane's journey, discuss the importance of trying out water sports regardless of body weight, and learn about the resources and support available for those looking to get involved in the ocean community. This episode is sure to inspire and motivate you to pursue your own water sport dreams. 

Follow Kiane on instagram: @curveyandlacey
Her free diving instructors: @deepfreediving @kristinkuba
Customized wetsuits: @divingkk
Elaine Hicks, Psychologist and Free-dive instructor, CSAC, LCSW: @theunderwatertherapist @affinitydivetribe

In Episode 10, we chat with the incredible Christina Zenato, one of the first people to inspire me to dive with sharks and conquer my fear of them. As a resident of the Bahamas, Cristina shares her passion for the underwater world, particularly the magical cave systems that surround her home. Join us as we explore how she fell in love with sharks, learn about her work in the dive community, and hear some of her incredible stories, challenges and life lessons along the way. Don't miss this inspiring conversation! If you have any questions, visit Cristina's website at www.christinazenato.com.

IG and Twitter: @CristinaZenato