This article was originally published in BPM Magazine. Read the full version of the magazine here.
Francesca Soster’s Inspirational Journey from Textiles to Oceanography
Francesca Soster, a new Oceanography graduate from the University of Malta and an enthusiast of anything sea-related, is a perfect example of how it’s never too late to commit to your calling.
Francesca’s Upbringing
Being close to the sea from a young age, she found a sense of peace and quiet which one wouldn’t find on land. Speaking with gratitude, Francesca’s career and free-time activities are both related to the open blue.
While she has been fascinated by whales and dolphins from an early age, she remained in her hometown in Northwest Italy, near the mountains and far from the sea.
Initially, she pursued a career in textile engineering and worked as a project manager for a clothing company. Nevertheless, her love for the water persisted, leading her to volunteer with Sea Shepherd, a marine conservation society, and discover a freediving club in her hometown. This marked a turning point in Francesca’s life, and she realised that the 9 to 5 life isn’t very rewarding for her.
Despite feeling behind compared to her experienced colleagues, she didn’t get discouraged. She bravely took the career-changing risk to volunteer in conservation projects for whales and dolphins in Montenegro, Turkey, and the Ligurian Sea.
Her research journey eventually led her to Malta, where she completed her Master’s in Oceanography and now works as an environmental educator and cetacean researcher.
Both on and off the clock, her favourite sea-related activity is dolphin research. ‘Being on the boat and seeing a dolphin or a whale is something I wish everyone could experience.’
Francesca’s Passions
Freediving is one of Francesca’s low-BPM activities, and she gave us a rather scientific explanation for this: ‘The heartbeat slows down because we all have the mammalian dive reflex, something you can see in dolphins and whales, for example.
Of course, you need breathwork and preparation before a freediving session, but everyone who puts their head into the water will have their heartbeat slowed down – it’s something that is part of our genetics and it’s fascinating because everything is connected to that.’
Francesca Soster is passionate about freediving as it makes her feel one with water, allowing her to connect both with herself and her marine surroundings.
For her, descending into deep water means entering a meditative state, becoming acutely aware of her body, and paying close attention to every subtle sensation.
Beyond her love for being in the water, whilst on land, Francesca also takes pleasure in photographing others who share her love for the sea.
Her interest in surf photography began when she watched her friend surfing, describing the scene as a ‘feather on a board’. This sight left such a strong impression on her that it ignited a new passion.
For Francesca, photography serves as another form of meditation. ‘I love to see how happy the guys are about the photos, seeing themselves on a wave. I’m happy that they’re happy’.
Francesca’s journey is an inspiration to anyone who longs for a change but is hesitant to follow their dreams.
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