Maria, thank you for finding time for us to talk. At what stage of the season are you currently? What do your preparations look like?
I am now approaching the culmination of the season, which is building to “maximum depths.” I start every season by “returning” below the water’s surface, adapting to it, and building tolerance to CO2. It’s a lot of repetitive, shallow, but increasingly longer dives. Once I return to a state of comfort and self-confidence that allows me to do very, very slow 20m dives lasting 4:20-5:00 minutes, I start shortening my dive times in favor of building depth. As a result, once I’ve reached a depth of 65m+, I stop the long warm-up dives altogether and usually only do one deep dive per training session. Beyond in-water training, dry training is important: training awareness and muscle strength around the glottis, soft palate, and tongue, as well as dry CO2 tolerance training and exercises to acclimate the lungs to high compression.
How much time do you spend away from home preparing for the season?
- Since my suitcase has been my home for years, let’s say I’m home all the time (laughs). But seriously: every passing year is different, new. I’ve only been diving for five years, and professionally for four. Every year, new opportunities and doors open before me. The doors of an athlete. The doors of a freediving mentor, but also, as success grows, the doors of simply being a human. In the last year, I’ve focused more on working with people, teaching, and exploring new diving directions than on my own training. And I really enjoy it—working with people and observing, being a part of someone else’s success, is what fuels me to push my own boundaries.
What is your biggest sporting dream?
Even in my wildest dreams, I didn’t think I could stand on a world championship podium, let alone win one in any discipline. And yet, as the only Pole in depth freediving, I managed to stand on that podium, and twice at that. The first time, on the highest step. During the next world championships, I took second place. It’s a huge personal success for me. Winning and taking first place is a very sublime moment. I stood on the podium with a world championship gold medal, with the Polish flag. It’s a moment hard to describe in words. It always brings back wonderful memories. I think my sporting dream has already come true. I continue to consistently do the “ants’ work” and curiously observe where it leads me. I won’t hide, however, that today my main dream related to freediving is precisely promoting this beautiful sport and introducing people to the underwater world, because I don't know if you know, but everyone belongs there to some extent :) I also feel great in the role of a freediving coach. Since the beginning of last year, I have been mentoring students preparing for competitions of various ranks: from local ones to world championships.
Who is your sporting idol?
- I am very inspired by the story of Simone Biles. At a certain point in her sports career, she decided to take care of her own mental health, placing it above sports results. She overturned the narrative that an athlete should compete at all costs. In my opinion, listening to oneself, making a sober assessment of the situation, and withdrawing from the Olympic Games to take care of one's own health must have been an incredibly difficult decision. It turned out later to be the most correct one. Biles returned stronger, more confident in herself and her body. I think it wasn't a sign of weakness, but on the contrary—a sign of strength, self-awareness, and wisdom. I also try to ensure that my decisions regarding competitions are guided by reason and wisdom, not by an ego that can very innocently sneak into our sporting heads :)
How do you like to spend your free time? What are your hobbies?
I am very outdoorsy. When I’m off-season, I try to make sure to attend a music festival or concerts of artists I like. In general, music is very present and important in my life. Whether it’s in my headphones during travel, from a speaker in the shower, or coming from the handpan I sometimes play :) Besides that, until I was eighteen, I was quite seriously involved in volleyball. My love for “volly” has remained, so today, whenever I can, I play recreationally. I also ride a bike, and lately, I’ve really come to like playing padel. I love the mountains and love to get a good workout in them! I also appreciate a good book or movie. A very important role in my life is played by the social aspect. I like people, I have wonderful friends. Meeting new people is my hobby. So I make sure to go out from time to time and spend quality time among people. As you can see, I need variety and balance.
Do you have a place on earth to which you return and dream of being as soon and as often as possible?
- Favorite place? There isn't one… There are many places I have a soft spot for and like to return to. At the moment, the thought of anchoring in one place scares me a little. Today my travels are determined by freediving. Wherever I am heading, I try to make sure that this “pin” is the one I actually, consciously want to go to. I think that in most places you can find something for yourself. I feel that I am in harmony with myself, and even though I like to be surrounded by people, I also feel great on my own. This helps me a lot in adapting, exploring, and drawing from the places where I stay.
Are you interested in watches?
- I love watches! A watch, besides being a practical object for me, is a wonderful addition to an outfit. I treat it as jewelry.
Which Balticus watch model do you like the most?
My absolute favorite is the BALTICUS STARDUST METEORITE 37MM. It is elegant but also edgy. It goes well with a sporty look, beautifully complements a blazer, and even creates a stylish duo with a dress. I like that it is gold and silver. This color combination makes it extremely versatile.
Why did you decide to collaborate with our company?
- At the beginning, I was captivated by the name. “Balticus,” from our Polish sea. And after all, the sea is my “office” :) I represent Poland on the international stage, which is why I am extremely happy that Balticus is a Polish brand. And what is probably most important: Balticus watches are truly beautiful and unique. I want to work with brands that I truly identify with, or that I simply genuinely like. I want to promote things that I will use myself and that naturally fit into my life. Before we started our collaboration, I met Łukasz. We talked, and I liked the narrative around the Balticus brand. I really feel that it is very “me.”
What do you expect from this cooperation?
- Above all, I am counting on a long-term collaboration based on mutual trust and shared values. I value brands that authentically support athletes and want to build inspiring stories together. I hope that together we will be able to promote not only the Balticus brand itself but also freediving as a sport that teaches perseverance, calmness, and pushing one’s own boundaries. I would like it to be a partnership where both sides inspire and develop each other.
Do you remember your first watch? What model was it?
- Yes, I’ve always liked having a watch on my wrist. With a smile, I must admit that the first one I remember is the famous “Chupa Chups” watch from the 90s, the one for children, the candy one. It was such a valuable gadget for me that I held back from eating it for a very long time (laughs). Given the above, you can probably imagine how, as an adult today, I appreciate the craftsmanship of a real, beautifully made watch. Lately, my eyes have been directed toward my wrist very often. That’s where the STARDUST METEORITE 37MM or the NEW SKY in the rose edition, equipped with a rose gold-colored bracelet, reside. I also remember that for my nineteenth birthday, I received a Skagen watch. It was gold and silver, very feminine and delicate.
Let's go back to freediving. Your beloved discipline in Poland has a niche status. What needs to be done to make it more popular?
Freediving is slowly emerging from the shadows. It is not very popular here because, until now, we haven’t had very friendly waters to start this extraordinary adventure. For 5 years now, near Warsaw, we have had the deepest pool in all of Europe. And I think that thanks to this facility, the popularity of my discipline in Poland has started to grow. I think our sport is on the right track :) I would like to make people aware that everyone is a freediver to some extent. This is evidenced by the body’s reactions called the “mammalian dive reflex.” I warmly encourage you to familiarize yourself with this topic.
How do you rate the level of Polish freediving?
Freediving in the Polish version is fantastic. We are one of the leading countries in the world! In pool freediving, we have absolutely the best athletes. In turn, in depth freediving, the one I practice, last year three men and I stood on the world championship podium.
What would you say to parents to let their children practice this discipline?
- Oh, I remember my parents watching my first performances. They were very nervous. I happened to finish a performance in a state of significant hypoxia a few times, and sometimes a blackout. My parents initially reacted with concern and fear. I should add that such things happen when we try to push our own boundaries. A blackout looks absolutely hopeless. In reality, when you experience it, it’s nothing terrible. It is a valuable experience that, however, is better to avoid.
For parents who might be afraid for children starting their adventure with freediving, I would suggest getting educated in the scope of safety in freediving and the physiology of breath-hold diving. Freediving is really much friendlier than one might think.
What are the risks when you dive? Can your discipline be considered dangerous?
Of course, freediving carries some risk, just like any other sport. The biggest risk factor, in my opinion, is the pressure change we face underwater as we descend. It is very significant. One must build depths progressively, without craziness. Learn to equalize pressure correctly to avoid barotrauma (for example, lung barotrauma or ear perforation). Despite this factor, I believe it is a really quite safe activity if practiced in accordance with safety rules that we can learn in a freediving course.
What do you feel during such a free immersion? To what can this feeling be compared?
- It’s hard for me to describe what I feel because I have never experienced anything like this state before. I cannot compare it to any feeling I’ve known on the surface of the earth. It is very unique. Our lungs compress as we descend. At a certain point, we achieve negative buoyancy, which means our lungs stop acting as a natural buoyancy buoy. We then start to sink. It’s like a controlled flight in the depths. A flight that at any moment we can end and turn back towards the surface. Something wonderful :)
What has freediving given you in life? Has it taught you anything?
Freediving has taught me humility and calmness. I have also learned to better deal with stress in situations where previously I would have exploded or reacted impulsively. As I mentioned: water is a great teacher. Depth can perfectly reflect the state of our spirit. I feel that this discipline eliminates the ego, and consistent commitment to it builds self-confidence—but a humble, modest, and quiet kind.
What is needed to start practicing this discipline?
- I think you have to really love the water, or at least be curious about it. Water hides a whole spectrum of amazing experiences, starting from physical states, to what we can see underwater! In my opinion, success in freediving is synonymous with consistency and patience. Water strongly verifies ego and impatience. You also have to come to terms with discomfort. To push boundaries, I often have to face my demons and fears, and that really can be uncomfortable. But the reward is priceless! It is great self-control, the ability to manage stress, and calmness :)
Can this also be a way of life? Do you have to work additionally?
Less than a year ago, I quit my job as a graphic designer to work “full-time” in freediving. This change happened not so long ago, so it’s hard to assess at this point how it will affect my wallet. It’s definitely not easy, but without a shadow of a doubt, I can say that I don’t regret it. Even though I earn less, I feel very happy.
