Her Ocean Story

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.comunderwatertherapist.brizy.siteInstragram pages: @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 

 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 Centerhttps://www.myboca.us/2096/Gumbo-Limbo-Nature-CenterAt 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

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/4881295https://sup.star-board.com/https://www.epic-boardsports.com/Trisha's Instagram: @trishamichellesup

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-riverahttps://www.facebook.com/WS4WW (Wind Sports 4 Wounded Warriors)https://www.diveheart.org/Get in touch with Frances Rivera:Email:  frances@cabrinha.comInstagram: @la_fran_kiteFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LafranOkiteLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frances-osorio-rivera-786361135/

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-projecthttps://marinemegafauna.org/Email: info@marinemegafauna.org