For all the complex techniques required to succeed, the objective is remarkably simple: Go as deep as you can go on one breath and return to the surface without passing out or dying.
This is the point of freediving. At least the competitive point. And here in the Bahamas, 42 divers from around the world have gathered, like filings to a magnet, at a geological marvel called a blue hole, in this case a 660-foot elevator shaft of ocean water, to see how many stories they can plunge themselves down.
More here – GQ
Truly, wow !!!! There is a vast array of wonderful psychology here that just has to be highly valuable in trading. Similarities: you are completely alone, you are the only one who dies (financially self destructs), there is nobody to help you, you never know whether you can actually do it, you have to maintain your nerve, you must always maintain complete relaxation (“in the zone”), anything can happen, if you lose your concentration or focus you are finished, things can change suddenly, the ocean (market) will always be there and it doesn’t care about you, every time (trade) is different, you must work out for yourself how you are going to do it and stick to your own plan, you must always be well prepared and the moment must be right. I reckon every trader should learn from these people and then practise, practise, practise. Great post Chris !!!
I have been fascinated by both the physiology and psychology of free divers ever since I saw the French film The Big Blue. If you can find the original French version it is worth an afternoons viewing. The altered US version is crap.