I first started Scuba Diving while I was in Southeast Asia in 2008. I obtained my PADI Open Water Diver certification on the Thai island of Koh Tao, and enjoyed it so much I just got my Advanced Open Water Certification right then as well. I've been able to dive in a number of locations throughout that area, including Koh Tao, Koh Phi Phi, the Perhentian Islands, and Tioman Island. I've been very fortunate in the things I have been able to see, as well, which include string rays, moray eels, sea turtles, and whale sharks. I've also been able to explore shipwrecks, and I even got to surface inside of one of them!

Since that time, I haven't been able to do as much as I wanted, but I did have the opportunity to dive in an underground lead mine in my home state of Missouri. Because it is underground, it stays the same temperature all year round, which allowed me to go in the dead of winter! The water was crystal clear, and it felt a lot like exploring outerspace. Really, truly interesting.