Forged in the Deep: Reflections on the PADI Freedive Instructor Trainer Course

In early fall, Ani traveled to Cancun, Mexico, to complete the demanding PADI Freedive Instructor Trainer course. If you’ve ever completed high-level training with a packed schedule and an incredibly high standard of excellence, you have a sense of the intensity level of this program.

Ani had completed a similar PADI Mermaid Instructor Trainer Course training in 2021 and came into this course with a good background in PADI content, but this was still definitely a challenge. Our incredible teammates—Tanner Peterson (Depth Wish Freediving), Eric Martin (Lost Winds), and Phil McClaren (Big Squid)—were joined by Brandon Burke (Odyssey Freediving), who served as our unofficial teammate and supportive study buddy.
When you're pushing your physical and mental limits—whether it’s presenting a nerve-wracking demonstration, building a multi-layered team presentation, or achieving a personal best (PB) dive—the people next to you are the only ones who truly understand the depth of the effort.

We developed an “In the Trenches” connection, forging a solid "us against the challenge" mentality. Seeing your teammate struggle but refuse to quit gives you the inspiration to keep going, building a deep mutual respect. We secured a non-verbal understanding of each other: you often don't need to say a word. A simple nod, or a high-five after a tough interval says, "I see you, I know how hard that was, and we got through it together."

We know we have a deep, foundational friendship forged in fire. It's the kind of relationship where you know, without a doubt, that the person standing next to you will push you, support you, and be completely honest with you because you’re both dedicated to the same struggle and the same victory. If you've never taken on a challenge like this before, we highly recommend the experience. Ani can say that, personally, it was transformative in the past, and even more so this time around.

New Freediver Courses!
This rigorous training allows Ani to bring new, high-level courses to our lineup. After a week packed with presentations and performance assessments in the pool and the stunning Cenote Maravilla, she is now certified to train the next generation of PADI Freedive Instructors.
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Starting this spring, Ani will offer Freedive Instructor and Apnea Flow Instructor courses. Instructor-level courses require prerequisite training and experience in freediving. If you are interested in reaching this goal, please get in touch now to ensure you have the prerequisites in place for these advanced programs. See you underwater!