Name: Dimitri
Lives in: I currently live in Athens, Greece, while trying to spend as much time as possible on my beloved island of Kea.
From:I grew up in Athens and was educated at the French school Eugene Delacroix in Agia Paraskevi before heading to the UK where I studied modern history, international relations, and diplomacy.
Born to a French mother and a Greek father, this question was always tricky for me to answer. I was the French guy in Greece and the Greek guy in France.
Occupation: In 2022, I founded Deep Calm with the aim of offering activities that bring people closer to nature and simultaneously develop self-awareness, through freediving, sailing, hiking, and various breathing techniques.
I created Deep Calm out of a heartfelt desire to share this beautiful gift of nature, hoping to touch the lives of others in the same way it touched mine.
I grew up in Greece and spent most of my holidays on Kea Island since my early childhood, which was a great determinant for developing a strong bond with the water element. The sea has always been my refuge, the place I would turn to recharge and to regenerate. The calmness and the quietness that I find below the surface has never ceased to fulfill me and as the years passed, my interaction with the sea slowly transformed into a passion. I discovered the healing properties of apnea and its benefits on both physical and mental health. These brief, but extremely fulfilling moments of underwater meditation, proved to be powerful tools to navigate many challenges of my life. Freediving became a way of life, along with the practice of yoga and hiking, that naturally came along to complement each other.
Tell us your first three jobs (ever!): My first job ever was as a pizza delivery guy. My second job was an editing position at the university. Before dedicating myself almost entirely to the sea, I worked extensively in the humanitarian and development sector with various international organizations in Western Sahara, Haiti, Congo, Nigeria, and as head of mission in Greece during the refugee crisis.
What do you love about Greece? Greece has this unique ability to remain present inside you at all times. Throughout the periods I spent abroad, vivid images of the sea and blue skies constantly popped into my head. Greece never stopped calling me back. Among the many places I lived around the world, I never felt more at home than in Greece, and the energy you find there is simply unique.
The not-so-elegant and concrete Athens I grew up in is a multifaceted city with many hidden gems within its shambolic yet organized chaos. It is still a human city by European standards, where you can find a lot of empathy and warmth. Greeks are still largely caring for their next of kin, sometimes maybe a bit too much . I love Greece for its liveliness and the unique feeling of freedom you still enjoy there.
Tell us something most people don’t know about you: I have a great liking for underwater photography, yet I have not found the time to dedicate myself to it lately. Hopefully that will change soon!
Tell us your top tip to combat climate change: In my opinion, an effective way to bring about change is by raising awareness. I believe we owe it to ourselves, our communities, and our planet. To make a collective impact, we need to break certain habits. In our Western world of material abundance, escaping these addictive and destructive patterns is particularly hard because our whole system, based on never-ending consumption, does not encourage us to do so.
Our growing disconnection from the natural world enhances these patterns as we seek to fill an emotional and existential void through material satisfaction. It is our very purpose that we are losing as we slowly move away from our sense of community and our connection to nature, while exemplifying and idealizing strong individualism as the unique path to fulfillment.
This deregulation, I believe, is a very important root of the problem of climate change, as people do not feel directly responsible for what is happening and often feel overwhelmed by forces beyond their control, casting doubt on their ability to bring about positive change.
Raising our consciousness can help change these attitudes. Fortunately, there are many ways to do that, both individually and collectively.
Anything else you’d like us to know? If you would like to know more about me or my work, please feel free to message me at info@deepcalm.gr. I’d also like to share wih you the Benefits of freediving and why practice Freediving!
The Blue Mind theory is a concept developed by marine biologist Wallace J. Nichols. This theory illustrates the significant mental health benefits derived from being near, in, or under water, offering a serene escape from the everyday stresses of life.
Blue Mind theory advocates that water environments induce a unique state of mental calmness and clarity. According to research, this presence in water can shift our brain into a relaxed yet attentive state, fostering introspection. The tranquility experienced while freediving helps to alleviate anxiety, enhance mental clarity, and foster a profound connection with the natural world. It is also scientifically shown to improve creativity and problem-solving abilities.
Freediving is more than an aquatic sport—it is a mindful practice that integrates the calming properties of water with the physical discipline of breath-hold diving. A dive can be a personal journey into mindfulness, where the quiet of the underwater world amplifies one’s internal state, allowing for deep mental and physical relaxation.
Our activities and adventures are aimed to bring out the therapeutic benefits of the Blue Mind effect while also building a sense of community among participants. The shared experiences in natural settings fosters strong bonds among divers, enhancing social well-being and providing a supportive network that extends beyond the water.
Whether you are looking to find mental clarity, improve your physical health, or connect with a community of like-minded enthusiasts, our programs are designed to provide a comprehensive experience that embody the transformative effects of water on human health and consciousness.