The Haenyeo women, the freediving superstars

14/10/2025 10 min
The Haenyeo women, the freediving superstars

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Episode Synopsis

The Haenyeo women of Jeju Island have been freediving for generations, a sport and diving style that isn't just snorkeling's dramatic cousin. It's a full-body return to calm, pressure, and presence -- and one of the most impressive feats of control over our human bodies.  Did South Korea's legendary female free divers evolve for a life underwater? Scientists find new evidence (Katie Hunt, CNN, May 7, 2025) Culture of Jeju Haenyeo (women divers) (UNESCO, accessed October 13, 2025) Last of their kind (Jose Jeuland, Oceanographic, accessed Oct 13, 2025) The all-female free divers of Jeju Island have a 'superpower' in their genes (All Things Considered / NPR, May 15, 2025) The Big Blue (IMDB, accessed Oct 14, 2025) What is Freediving? (PADI, accessed Oct 14, 2025) 10 Amazing Freediving Facts (David Hamburg, Deeper Blue, Sep 11, 2019) Instagram: @condensedsouppodcast [email protected] *This episode was recorded in a cruise ship cabin.