Stillness Below: Freediving & the Stoic Mind
- Anthony Feoutis
- May 17
- 5 min read
I’ve had dives where the ocean was calm, but my mind was a storm. And I’ve had days when the currents raged, but inside I was still. Over time, I realized that performance wasn't just about lung capacity or leg strength but about the stories I told myself during the dive.
“Observe, don’t react.” That’s one of the mantras I carry with me and try often in vain when I am in the water; Freediving has become my daily Stoic meditation.
And if you’re wondering, what is Stoicism? It’s an ancient philosophy rooted in clarity, resilience, focusing only on what’s within your control, your thoughts and actions, and letting go of what you can’t. It encourages calm in the face of adversity and finding peace by aligning with nature and reason.
So, what does a freediver have in common with a Stoic?
Both descend into silence. Both seek freedom not by escaping the world but by learning how to face it. I often tell my students: It’s okay to laugh at your first contractions. They’re not an emergency; they’re a conversation between your mind and your body.
Freediving is more than a sport, at least for me, it is. Each dive starts with control, but eventually, you have to let go. You can’t control the ocean, the current, the jellyfish waiting to greet you right on the line, or the thermocline lurking in the dark. You can only control how mentally you choose to meet it.
That’s where freediving and Stoicism find each other in the deep.
Depth of Control: Freediving & the Stoic Mind
One core idea from Stoicism reshaped the way I approach freediving: Stoics don’t care about outcomes. They’re not chasing medals, applause, or recognition. What matters is the process, showing up, doing the work with honesty and effort, and letting go of everything else. It’s not about where you end up. It’s about how you carry yourself on the way there.
That change in focus shifts everything.
In freediving, you can't force progress. You can’t dive to impress anyone. It just doesn’t work. There’s no room for ego at depth. Either you yield to the experience, or it swallows you.
You train. You dive. You learn. That’s enough.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparison, chasing numbers, comparing your pace to someone else’s, or trying to prove something. I’ve had many students and friends tell me they feel behind because someone else is improving faster. But here’s the truth: you have no idea what’s happening inside that person. You’re not in their head when they hit the bottom plate. You don’t know how they feel, what fear they’re carrying, or what they’re running from.
Peace doesn’t come from measuring yourself against others. It comes from being fully present. From being honest. From letting go of the need to prove anything to anyone.
That’s why I freedive. I’m not doing it for the plastic card or the nod of approval from a judge. That card means nothing to me.
The Stoics taught that we should divide the world into two categories: what is within our control, and what is not. The rest, they said, is “indifferent.”
In freediving, this division becomes more than philosophy. You cannot will the dive line to be shorter, the pressure to be easier, or your contractions to disappear. But you can steady your mind. You can embrace the discomfort without resistance. You can choose your attitude toward suffering.
Practicing Voluntary Discomfort
Seneca, one of Stoicism’s great voices, advised taking cold baths and dressing in rough clothes from time to time, not to suffer needlessly but to train the mind. To learn that fear of discomfort is often worse than the discomfort itself.
Apnea is much the same. The urge to breathe arrives, panic whispers. But when you’ve practiced sitting calmly with rising CO₂, when you’ve rehearsed the edge of control and chosen to stay, you become more than your fear. Every dive is a Stoic exercise. Voluntary discomfort. Chosen stillness.
Presence and Pressure`
Freediving doesn’t allow multitasking. You can’t plan your next meal or scroll your feed when you’re 50 meters deep. Down there, there is only now. One kick. One decision. One equalization
Stoicism encourages that same focus. Marcus Aurelius wrote, “You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” In the depths, this isn’t just philosophy, it’s clarity. It’s survival. It’s peace.
The Stoics practiced stillness in the chaos of the world. We practice it in the silence of the sea.
Books I’ve Read (and Loved) About Stoicism
Books I’ve Read (and Loved) About Stoicism
Okay, so if you’ve made it this far in the article, you are maybe really interested in Freediving & the Stoic Mind and maybe you’re also the kind of curious sea creature who loves diving into books as much as the ocean. Here’s my personal reading list on Stoicism, some I’ve already read, some I’m currently exploring, and others I can’t wait to open. I’ve included Amazon links (paid links) in case you want to grab any of them for yourself.
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Already Read
The Daily Stoic – Ryan Holiday (paid link) offers 366 days of timeless Stoic wisdom with quotes and reflections from Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, Epictetus, and more, designed to guide you toward clarity, resilience, and a better life. Over two million copies sold, it's the go-to daily read for thinkers, leaders, and seekers.
The Practicing Stoic – Ward Farnsworth (paid link) This one’s a gem. It’s like sitting down with a wise (and slightly intimidating) professor who knows all the quotes and actually explains them.
Courage Under Fire – James Stockdale (paid link) Hard to describe how powerful this one is. A real story, Stoicism tested in the harshest way. Made me stop and think about what real strength looks like.
Meditations – Marcus Aurelius (paid link) The OG Stoic journal. It’s not a polished book, it’s Marcus talking to himself, and somehow, to us. I reread it often. Every time, something new clicks.
On Benefits – Seneca (paid link) Seneca diving deep into giving, gratitude, and the weird psychology of doing things for others. Not the flashiest, but full of insights if you’re patient.
Currently Reading
How to Think Like a Roman Emperor – Donald Robertson (paid link) This one blends ancient philosophy with modern psychology. Feels like someone’s explaining Marcus Aurelius while sitting on the beach after a dive.
On My “Next Up” List
Letters from a Stoic – Seneca (paid link) Can’t wait to read this. Personal letters, lots of life advice. Feels like the ancient version of texting a mentor.
Discourses – Epictetus (paid link) The rough and direct wisdom of a freed slave turned philosopher. I’m ready for the tough love and timeless truth bombs.
Stillness Is the Key – Ryan Holiday (paid link) This one’s waiting for me. I like the idea already, stillness isn’t laziness, it’s power. Definitely resonates with freediving.
If you're into both freediving and philosophy, I think these books will speak to you the way they did to me. No pressure to read them all, just pick one and see where it takes you.
And if you find another Stoic gem out there, let me know. I’m always adding to the list.
To be continued…
If what you’ve just read sparked your curiosity, know this—it’s just a ripple on the surface. The Depth Collector series plunges deep into this pillar, uncovering layers of insights, lessons, and practical tools to refine your freediving journey.
And it doesn’t stop here. The series explores all eight foundational pillars, packed with everything from mental hacks to sport nutrition, breathing techniques, training plans, and more.
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