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Artwork for The Freedive Cafe Podcast

The Freedive Cafe Podcast

Donny Mac - Freediver
Freediving
Training Techniques
Hawaii
Depth Training
Lung Squeeze
Competitions
Dahab
Equalization Techniques
Freediving Science
Narcosis
Hypoxia
Covid-19
Mindful Practices
Mental Strength In Sports
Aging and Physical Limits
Taiwan
Patreon
Blackout Risks
APNIA Ramp Test
Pulse Oximetry

The world's dedicated freediving podcast. Longform interviews with the deepest humans on Earth.

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes173Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Sports

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Artwork for The Freedive Cafe Podcast

Latest Episodes

Nataliia Zharkova is a Ukrainian competitive freediver who this year (2025), returned to the competition scene after a four year break and won overall silver in the CMAS World Championships, diving deeper than 100m in three disciplines.

She first ap... more

Zsófia Törőcsik is a Hungarian freediving athlete who in 2025 became the first female freediving athlete to dive a distance of 300m in the pool and in the same year won gold at the AIDA Depth World Championships; her first ever depth competition.

In... more

Anna-Karina Schmitt is a German freediver based in Switzerland. Today we talk about the technicalities of diving in lakes and the challenges of living with multiple sclerosis and how freediving inspires her healthy lifestyle.

In this episode we disc... more

Jani Valdivia is from Peru and is based in Tampa, Florida where he works as a neurosurgeon.

He is also a member of the AIDA Science and Medical Committee and a competitive freediver himself.

Juani also appeared on episodes #99 and #135.

In this ep... more

Key Facts

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Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Nataliia Zharkova
Experienced freediver and gold medalist at the CMAS World Championships.
Episode: #170 | Nataliia Zharkova | Resurgence
Zsófia Törőcsik
Hungarian freediving athlete known for her achievements in dynamic apnea.
IDA World Championships
Episode: #169 | Zsófia Törőcsik | Phenom
Anna-Karina Schmitt
Freediver sharing her experiences and challenges with multiple sclerosis.
Freediving Community in Switzerland
Episode: #168 | Anna-Karina Schmitt | Sweet Water
Juani Valdivia
Freediving doctor and one of the notable medical professionals in the freediving community.
Episode: #167 | Juani Valdivia | Freediving Doctor
Marco Puliafito
Owner of Blue World Freediving
Blue World Freediving
Episode: #166 | Marco Puliafito | Blue World Freediving
Jeroen van Haudt
A passionate healthcare provider working as an intensive care unit nurse and a freediving medic
Episode: #165 | Jeroen MG Van Haudt | Freediving Medic
Tea Košnjek
Kinesiologist and strength conditioning coach specializing in freediving.
Episode: #164 | Tea Košnjek | Deep Strength
Huang Hua Yang
A gifted freediver and instructor from Taiwan.
Episode: #163 | Huang Hua Yang | Spirit of Depth
David Mellor
An English freediver who achieved the goal of diving 100 meters deep at the age of 60.
Episode: #162 - David Mellor - No Limits

Host

Donny Mac
Host of The Freedive Cafe Podcast

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 418 ratings
  • Best Podcast Ever!

    Just getting into this sport, so lovely to immerse myself in the wonderful world of free diving. Great guests, great content. Thanks Donny.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    benhohnen
    Australia10 months ago
  • An awesome “deep dive”

    into the world of freediving!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SmileCauseYaCan
    United States2 years ago
  • My favourite podcast

    I have only just started listening to Freedive Cafe this year (2023) and have been listening to every episode from the start. Donny is a very talented and engaging interviewer. The interviews always sound like a chat between old friends with the added bonus of learning some really interesting things- about the people, about freediving, and about life and living. I’m only a beginner and still very new to freediving but listening to this podcast has given me a great insight and I gave learnt so mu... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    zakesson
    Australia2 years ago
  • Interesting, informative and thought provoking

    Great podcast, thanks Donny!

    The perfect way to feel part of and keep in touch with the international freediving community.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    appman202
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Freediving Gold

    A truly fantastic resource for the freediving community. Donny Mac has a talent for asking great questions to some of the most interesting and adventurous people you’ll ever hear, talking about a wide range of topics that will make you a more complete freediver and human being.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DeonBraun
    South Africa3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the personal stories shared by guests, which inspire and educate.
Highly engaging content that immerses listeners in the world of freediving.
Many newcomers to freediving find this podcast crucial in understanding the sport and connecting with the global freediving community.
The interviews are recognized for their depth and quality, providing valuable insights into the sport and its community.
The host is praised for excellent interviewing skills that create a friendly and informative atmosphere.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#25
Ukraine/Sports

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#170 | Nataliia Zharkova | Resurgence
Q: What does it mean to you to represent the Ukrainian freediving community on the world stage?
Nataliia mentioned that competing allows her to highlight the situation in Ukraine and provides motivation for others.
#167 | Juani Valdivia | Freediving Doctor
Q: Can quick dive time contribute to lung squeeze?
I don't think a short dive time can be tied to barotrauma specifically, but if it's associated with sudden movements or exertion at depth, then maybe, yes.
#167 | Juani Valdivia | Freediving Doctor
Q: Is there anything you wish every new diver understood about their body right from the start?
Before taking on freediving for the first time, ideally you have to know your general state of health, including your vital signs and health history.
#159 | Heike Schwerdtner | Static World Record
Q: How do you think dynamic training is connected to static training?
I think it's a good base training for static, but to perform well in one, you often need to reduce intensity in the other.
#159 | Heike Schwerdtner | Static World Record
Q: Would you say that you focus on static now, like primarily?
No, I normally train all disciplines but focus more on dynamic this time of year while still incorporating static training.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Freedive Cafe Podcast

What is The Freedive Cafe Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A series of longform interviews exploring the captivating world of freediving, featuring a variety of expert athletes who share their personal journeys, training techniques, and insights into the mental and physical aspects of the sport. Guests range from world champions and instructors to medical professionals and enthusiasts, contributing to an engaging narrative that emphasizes the importance of community, safety, and personal growth in freediving. Noteworthy episodes highlight overcoming challenges, the intersection of health and freediving, and the sport's cultural significance in various regions. Each discussion offers valuable lessons for both seasoned divers and newcomers looking to deepen their knowledge and connection to the under... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Freedive Cafe Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Freedive Cafe Podcast:

1. The Tim Ferriss Show
2. The Deep Joy Podcast
3. The Peter Attia Drive
4. Noob Spearo Podcast
5. Huberman Lab

How many episodes of The Freedive Cafe Podcast are there?

The Freedive Cafe Podcast launched 8 years ago and published 173 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Freedive Cafe Podcast?

Recent guests on The Freedive Cafe Podcast include:

1. Nataliia Zharkova
2. Zsófia Törőcsik
3. Anna-Karina Schmitt
4. Juani Valdivia
5. Marco Puliafito
6. Jeroen van Haudt
7. Tea Košnjek
8. Huang Hua Yang

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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