For many, this is just another year drawing a close. A time to reflect on the past year, celebrate achievements, and set goals for the year ahead. For me, however, this year is much more than a marker on the calendar. It signifies the culmination of a 7-year journey, a journey that has shaped who I am today and the path I will take moving forward.

Seven years ago, around this time of year, I made a decision that altered the course of my life. I swapped yoga pants for freediving wetsuits and embarked on a dual journey: one as a teacher of freediving and another as a perpetual student of the sea. At the time, I could not have anticipated how deeply this decision would impact every facet of my life, from my personal growth to my career.

During these years, freediving and the ocean have been my greatest teachers. They taught me lessons no classroom could offer. I learned about the profound connection between mind and body, the importance of breath as a tool for self development, and the unyielding power of nature, a force that commands respect and humility. Through the depths of the ocean, I discovered the depths of myself. Each dive became an exploration, not just of the underwater world, but of my own mind, limitations, and possibilities.

But as much as freediving shaped my personal journey, it also led me down an unexpected professional path. Without freediving and its wave of influencers showcasing their half-naked underwater photos, I might never have felt compelled to master the art of making businesses, including my own, visible online without relying on social media. I poured myself into learning the intricacies of SEO, from keywords to algorithms, and eventually became what some might call a “black belt” in the field. This expertise led to the birth of Inseomnia, my Web3 SEO agency, and has since become a cornerstone of my professional identity.

For that, I owe a debt of gratitude to those freediving influencers, and to them I say thank you. While I chose a different path, their work indirectly inspired me to develop the skills that now define my career. Through SEO, I found a way to build visibility, not by competing in the crowded superficial space of social media, but by mastering the science of search engines. It’s a skillset that has not only empowered me but also allowed me to help others achieve their goals online.

As this chapter comes to a close, I find myself at another pivotal moment. Starting this year, I will no longer be a PADI freediving instructor. This decision, deeply rooted in my personal values and evolving priorities, represents the end of one era and the beginning of another. While I step away from the formal role of instructor, my connection to freediving and the ocean remains as strong as ever. The lessons I’ve learned and the memories I’ve made will continue to shape my journey.

As I ascend into 2025, one truth stands out: the surface is just the starting line. Whether it’s in the water, in business, or in life, the depth of what we can achieve is infinite. And now, with the assistance of AI and the digital tools we have at our disposal, the possibilities are even more boundless.

To those who have been a part of this journey, thank you. Whether you’ve been a student, a fellow freediver, or even a silent observer, you’ve played a role in shaping the person I am today. As I continue to explore new depths, I carry with me the lessons of the past seven years and the unwavering belief that the best is yet to come.

Here’s to new horizons, deeper dives, and infinite possibilities.