E94: Interview with Shark Professional and Behaviourist, Cristina Zenato

Who knew sharks could be friends?

Today will be an exciting episode as we learn more about sharks, marine life, and the role of humans in protecting them.

Our guest Cristina Zenato is a Diver, Conservationist, Cave Explorer, and Shark Professional. She has lived in the Bahamas for years now and has been very active in bringing change to people’s views and interaction with the aquatic world for the better. Sharks are very misunderstood creatures, Cristina says. Listen to this episode of the Fire In The Belly Podcast as she shares more about her ‘friends’, her advocacy, some personal stories, and her career journey!   

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Activate your ‘Do not disturb’ mode. Sometimes, we have to be wary about what we let in and out of our system. Maybe keeping a distance from external influences (e.g. social media) from time to time will help you focus on things that matter to you.
She remembers how difficult it was for a female like her to grow up in Italy. Decades ago, people still thought that women’s existence was just for fertility, beauty, and men. Though she didn’t let it stop her from pursuing a degree and appreciate continuous learning.
Protect oceans, sharks, and caves. This is Cristina’s lifelong advocacy. Together with her non-profit organisation People of the Water, they bring awareness to how people should treat the aquatic world and other environmental issues.
It isn’t easy to get people jumping in your cause instantly. Cristina has seen advocates and activists get aggressive when they present their ideals. Acting like you have the moral high ground will not help you and your advocacies. Showing them how beneficial it is to them and the world will. You can start by sharing how your own little actions made positive results.
“Sharks are the most innocent creatures I’ve ever met in my life.” – Cristina Zenato

Cristina dedicated most of her life to studying sharks. Not just reading on textbooks, but actually swimming, observing, and even petting them.
Sharks are large carnivorous animals so it’s just normal that people get terrified. But there is more that we can learn and do to also help in shark conservation. Cristina wants you to learn more about the true image of these creatures because they are significantly misunderstood.
Our obligation as humans is not to disturb the marine ecosystem and make the oceans habitable for them and other creatures. This is what Cristina is most passionate about.

BEST MOMENTS

“I have created a life that which every day I call an expedition.”
“There are no monsters under the sea; they are just what you make up in your head.”
“When you love someone, you don’t want them to suffer.”
“I keep absorbing, and I keep learning.”
“Focus on your passion.”

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Know more about Cristina Zenato. Visit her official website: https://cristinazenato.com/
Learn more about People of the Water, a non-profit organisation founded by Cristina Zenato. Visit their Offcial Website: https://pownonprofit.org/
More info about the petition to ban shark fin in UK: https://www.sharkguardian.org/post/it-s-time-to-finspire-change
Subscribe to Fire In The Belly Podcast on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fire-in-the-belly/id1499375061)!

ABOUT THE GUEST

Cristina Zenato is a PADI Course Director, NSS-CDS Advanced Cave Diving Instructor, TDI Technical Instructor, and specializes in shark diving and shark behaviour.

She is also the founder of People of the Water, a non-profit organisation dedicated to change people’s relationship with aquatic world through exploration, education, and conservation.

Follow Cristina Zenato Underwater Explorer on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/czunderwater/
Follow Cristina Zenato on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cristinazenato/
Connect with Cristina Zenaton on LinkedIn: https://bs.linkedin.com/in/cristinazenato
Follow Cristina Zenato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CristinaZenato
Follow peopleofthewater on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peopleofthewater/

ABOUT THE HOST

The ‘Mighty Pete Lonton’ from the ‘Mighty 247’ company is your main host of ‘Fire In The Belly’. 

Pete is an Entrepreneur, Mentor, Coach, Property Investor, and father of 3 beautiful girls. Pete’s background is in Project Management and Property, but his true passion is the ‘Fire in The Belly’ project itself. His mission is to help others find their potential and become the mightiest version of themselves. Pete openly talks about losing both of his parents, suffering periods of depression, business downturn and burn-out, and ultimately his years spent not stoking ‘Fire In the Belly’. In 2017, at 37 years of age that changed, and he is now on a journey of learning, growing, accepting, and inspiring others.

Pete can connect with people and intuitively asks questions to reveal a person’s passion and discover how to live their mightiest life. The true power of ‘Fire In The Belly’ is the Q&A’s - Questions and Actions!

The ‘Fire In The Belly’ brand and the programme is rapidly expanding into podcasts, seminars, talks, business workshops, development course, and rapid results mentoring.

CONTACT METHOD

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