In this episode, I chat with Nadia Aly, underwater photographer/videographer and CEO of Scuba Diver Life and SDL Expeditions. Nadia explores under water the world over, from the warm waters of the Caribbean to the cool waters of South Africa. She shares her passion for the oceans and her determination to follow her own path. Today, Nadia dives into: what really bums her out, fear and her middle finger, how dealing with the death of a childhood friend pushed her toward pursing her passion as her life’s work, saving the seas and the earth one action at a time, and the joy of spending much of her life under water Highlights On her purpose: I don’t really know who I am yet, but thanks for having me. I travel around the world and I take people on scuba diving expeditions. And I focus on my first company, Scuba Diver Life, where I write and create content for my mass community online, sharing with people where to dive, when to dive, what’s going on in the ocean. ________________________________________________________________________ On discomfort/fear: It was very scary to leave the corporate, comfy, cushy income. The biggest thing when going out on your own is the risk. Risk is uncomfortable. The best way to navigate [fear] is just give it the finger. ________________________________________________________________________ On failure: This is the third time I’ve tried to sell t-shirts...I’ve learned so much...I really feel I know how to do this properly now. It might fail again but I have to just try. ________________________________________________________________________ On work ethic: I knew internally that if I wanted it to be successful, I needed to make better content than anyone else out there, both photo and video medium. What really helped me was being able to, since 2012, be in the ocean over 300 days a year, and really get a lot of practice and understanding, a lot of learning, a lot of self-teaching, and just asking around. ____________________________________________________________________ On intentions: I realized that I really didn’t like corporate life...It wasn’t how I felt like life should truly be lived. Underwater photography is my number one passion in life. There’s nothing more fulfilling to me than being able to capture the ocean in a very creative way. For people who don’t know what their passion is...go out and explore. ________________________________________________________________________ On perceptions: I do think the humpback whale swims in Tonga are of a spiritual level. ________________________________________________________________________ On being an entrepreneur: There’s a good quote, an entrepreneur sees a gap in the market and works to close it. I saw this gap and started Scuba Diver Life. Just go do it and deal with things as they come. If you have children or a family, do it on the side, do it at night, do it in your spare time. Be aggressive about it and get it out there so you can reap the potential. ____________________________________________________________________ On negativity: If you want to make change, go do it. Stop being hard on yourself and worrying about what’s going to happen. Well, for the women, just go do it. In any factor of life, in a relationship you don’t want to be in, in a job you don’t want to be in, in a town you don’t want to be in, you’re the only one holding yourself back. ____________________________________________________________________ On sustainability: It’s very concerning to me that we’re destroying our earth. And we need to think now more than ever about who we are going to be in terms of self but also what are actions are outside of self. We need to become a greener economy. I think the number one thing to do is try to avoid plastic. The second thing is I would highly consider to stop eating seafood. So now you’ve got sunscreen, you’ve got oil, you’ve got plastic, you’ve got so much shit in the ocean, and you’re going to eat the fish in it? Doesn’t make sense to me. That’s my rant. ____________________________________________________________________ Keep in touch with Nadia Aly: Websites NadiaAly.com – underwater photography Scubadiverlife.com – resource for divers and ocean enthusiasts SDLExpeditions.com – scuba diving and snorkeling group trips Social Media Facebook and LinkedIn @NadiaAly Instagram @nadia.aly.photo Twitter @digitalkvan and @ScubaDiverLife Links Mentioned Back Scatter – Purchase underwater photography and videography equipment and dive gear. LegalZoom – Legal solutions and legal documents for small businesses. PADI – Professional Association of Diving Instructors Plastic Paradise – Documentary that examines “The Great Pacific Garbage Patch.” Sonic Sea – Documentary “about protecting life in our waters from the destructive effects of oceanic noise pollution.” Stream2Sea – Biodegradable skincare without oxybenzone Hulu, Netflix – Video on demand service
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