Underwater Transformation About Face Underwater Transformation About Face

What does WATER mean to you?

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June 2, 2017/by
A fashion model/free diver, David Langlois says, "Freedom. Being in the water make me think more about the present." An underwater Model, Linnea Snyderman says, "Being underwater is home. It is where I feel at peace and no worries from the outside world can penetrate." A model/free diver, Everlayn Borges says, "Water is the essence of infinite LIFE in every sense of the word." A competitive pro free diver, Ashleigh Baird says, "Water is pure joy. When I'm free diving it offers a way to quiet my mind and look deep within and listen to my body. It's a meditative experience, and nothing else does that for...
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Stop by this Saturday – UCSF cancer event, Taste for the Cure

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September 29, 2016/by
Taste for the Cure: A Taste of Science I'm excited to announce that I'm a part of UCSF event on Saturday, 10/1. I'll be showing Underwater Healer About Face to cancer survivors, fighters and supporters at the table . Please stop by and say hello!  Click here to find out! In Honor of Debby Hamolsky, RN, MS In the spirit of Debby’s decades of commitment to emotional and educational support for women with breast cancer, our panel topics will focus on personalized screening and treatment and living well during and after cancer. Between panels, join us for science demonstrations, healthy food tastings, and updates on trials and programs available through the Breast Care Center. This educational event is free and open to all. After nearly 30 years at UCSF, nurse coordinator Debby Hamolsky is leaving us for her next adventure. Please join the UCSF Carol Franc Buck Breast Care Center in honoring her legacy with a day exploring food, science, and breast...
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Building the trust

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August 22, 2016/by
This is why I LOVE what I do!　An aquaphobia client wants to overcome her fear by facing a new challenge and being beautiful. She read everything about me and said she trusts me. Happiest moment of my...
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2016 Hawaii Trip Report

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February 12, 2016/by
I arrived on the Aloha island and started driving on the familiar road. And of course always with an island vibe, Reggae music! This is my 3rd year coming back to Lumeria, the most beautiful retreat center in Maui. We'll be staying here for 4 days! I remember this guy!! He loves chips too-  He was drooling all over the place! (just like me) Lisa's yoga retreat in Maui is always fun! We always connect our minds and souls. A delicious welcome dinner WITH... MERMAID COCONUT RUM!! Lisa's mom was my awesome roommate! Thank you, Lynette! Food was delicious as always! We had a great underwater photo shoot with everyone and I presented a slide show on the projector. Perfect space to hang out, laugh and eat donuts on the sticks!! yes, donuts on the sticks!!! I also got to meet my friend Kimi for a little bit. She is a busy gal! We always have fun underwater! Beautiful beaches... After Maui, I flew to Oahu by myself. I met my friend Amber at Coffee Gallery. Amber and George are engaged! Congratulations!! See you in July! I went to visit her work in Turtle Bay. She hooked me up with a delicious meal!! And a beautiful sunset! She called it, FIRE BALL. Instead of scuba diving, I did snorkeling tour to see dolphins.  We saw whales! Aaaaaand dolphins! I saw them underwater but not that close... Turtles are always beautiful. and sloooooooow I was also exploring on land. I went on a gorgeous hike, walking in between the beautiful mountains and the ocean. I loved it! Wiiiiii- (not me up...
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Ikelite’s Newest Ambassador!

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January 21, 2016/by
Aloha from Maui!  I’m currently at the How We Can Heal Yoga Retreat at the  at the Lumeria Retreat Center!  We are very much enjoying our time here - finding much needed rest and relaxation at Lisa Danylchuk’s annual yoga retreat.  I can’t wait to share with you next week all the details! This week I am excited to announce I have been named an Ikelite Ambassador!  Their Ambassador program specifically highlights Ikelite users with unique perspectives, and especially those who are out there inspiring, teaching, and/or using their photos to promote conservation efforts.  As you can see by the photo below, I am an Ikelite consumer and am excited they have recognized Underwater Healer’s story as one to highlight.  They have some wonderful photographers in the Ambassador program and I am honored to be included with them.     What is Ikelite? Ikelite is an awesome US based company that makes equipment that is very valuable and needed by underwater photographers.  From underwater strobes, to diving compasses, underwater dive lights and more.  They not only make great products but also care very much about inspiring others. Thank you Ikelite for reaching out and including me - I can’t wait to dive right...
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In Memory of Nancy Hom

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January 13, 2016/by
It is with a heavy heart that I share Nancy Hom, three time cancer survivor and a donor to my Underwater Healer project for three years, has passed.

  Nancy was a fighter in every sense.  First diagnosed with ovarian cancer at 16, she completed her treatment and chemotherapy while finishing college.  At age 44, she was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins lymphoma, which was caught early on and removed.  This past year, she entered her third fight: stage 4 colon cancer.  Initially diagnosed as inoperable, Nancy proved yet again she was a fighter and completed chemotherapy and underwent an operation.  I know of no one else who has show such courage, strength and beauty.  She was a rare, special soul and I am blessed to have known her and spent time with her.  I saw her two days before she passed away and she told me she dreamed she was directing me on which portion of her underwater shoot to use in my video presentation.  She will be the boss forever - my beautiful mermaid and my sparring boxing partner! Nancy was the most wonderful supporter you could ever ask for.  She supported my work with cancer survivors for three years and shared her story and of my work to many. She even spoke publicly at the San Francisco Apple Store Event in October, 2015 about her experience and transformation.  In her testimonial, she mentioned the peace she found while underwater during our time together.  While I, her family and friends will...
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Sardines

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January 7, 2016/by
You may find it hard to believe, but I’m an introvert. When I made my 2016 resolution to speak more and do a TED talk one day, it shows how far I’ve come speaking to others and how much further I want to take myself. When I moved to the U.S. from Japan in 1989, the language barrier created enormous anxiety.  Words frightened me.  I excelled at sports and math (except word problems!) but English classes instilled so much fear in me that I started talking less and less.  Eventually I turned into a shy child, unlike my former self in Japan. But, at age 40, I decided it was time to turn that around.  While I am comfortable behind the camera and interacting with clients one on one, I decided to transform that shy child into a bonafide public speaker.  Thanks to Underwater Transformation, I’ve been lucky to have been interviewed by many media outlets all over the world.  Trust me, it’s isn’t easy.  Every time I speak, my stomach feels like I have those little sardines you see swimming in swarms at the aquarium in it (you may call them butterflies, but as a child of water they are fish to me!).  Just last month I was interviewed by Helpsy, and even with all the interviews I have done, I still got nervous. I sometimes find myself asking the interviewers to send their questions via email.  It not only gives me more time to answer the questions, but it helps...
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Sponsor an Underwater Shoot for a Cancer Survivor!

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November 4, 2015/by
Since I started my project Underwater Healer About Face I’ve been blessed to work with 23 cancer and trauma survivors.  For over two years I’ve been amazed by watching their transformations - fears being overcome, emotional scars being healed and a renewed beginning for their lives moving forward.  It’s a magical time spent with these fighters and survivors and I cherish every bit of it. I would love to keep working on this project because underwater portrait is very effective for cancer survivors. They feel freedom and it gives them courage to challenge themselves to try new things. There is a waiting list of survivors who would like to experience the underwater portrait session just like everybody here and I need your help!

 Every single underwater portrait session for cancer and trauma survivors is FREE! In order to continue to work with survivors on the waiting list I rely on all you wonderful supporters.  There are three ways you can make a difference in a survivors life with Underwater Healer: 1.)  Donate!  I’m not 501(c)(3). 2.)  Schedule a shoot for yourself! Do you have a fear of water? Stress due to work?  Or are you a fan of my work and want your own underwater portrait shoot?  I would love to work with you as well and give you an experience of a lifetime.  Please reach out to me and I’m happy to set up a location (within the San Francisco Bay Area).  You can get more questions answered about what...
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Ready for Your Close Up?

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October 28, 2015/by
If you’re thinking of booking an underwater portrait shoot, either for yourself or a loved one, you probably have many questions.  I’m here to answer them all!  With the holidays and end of the year rapidly approaching, an underwater portrait session not only makes a great gift, but is also perfect for those who make New Year’s resolutions.  Start the year 2016 by embarking on your own transformation and finding your renewed self.  And remember, your underwater portrait session allows me to continue my project photographing cancer survivors at no charge, so your own session will pay itself forward! Now, to answer the most asked questions I receive.  Also, I encourage you to check out these testimonials and my perfect 5 star record on Yelp! A: Where is the pool located? Q: If you prefer using your own pool locally, I can travel to you as long as you are within the San Francisco Bay Area (my base). If you do not have a pool to use, no problem! There is an outdoor heated pool in San Jose or indoor heated pool in Pacifica, so please pick a location that is convenient for you. The pool’s schedule changes each season so when booking a session please send over your scheduling needs so we can arrange a time when they are open. Q: What should I wear? A: Please wear something you feel comfortable and happy in. If you are wearing a dress, it should be tighter on top with a longer, flow-y bottom. If...
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Debuting a New Underwater Healer Featurette!

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October 14, 2015/by
Debuting a New Underwater Healer Featurette! Erena shares her beginnings in the Apple Store, San Francisco. This is her 2nd time at SF location. You can view last year's event from here. (I have the same hair style!!!) San Francisco Apple Store crowd Alysha shares her experience in San Francisco Nancy shares her story in San Francisco In the audience, there was another survivor - Steve & his daughter Ava. He was involved in 2013 About Face campaign. One of the supporters, Travia talks about her experience with underwater transformation with her husband. Fans! Palo Alto Apple Store Crowd Thank you for flipping through the Underwater Healer About Face book! Eden shares her transformation in Palo Alto photo © Jeff Roden Underwater Transformation It’s been a whirlwind of a week and I am so thankful for every moment and for each of you who shared it with me.  I’m excited to first debut a brand new featurette on Underwater Healer!  It’s been an amazing two years and I can’t believe how much money we raised with the initial fundraiser, where I’ve been able to travel and the amazing cancer survivors I’ve met who have shared their story with me.  Please watch and share! Also last week, as you may know by now, I had not one but two live Underwater Healer events in the Bay Area. So many of you came out to see me and cancer survivors Alycia and Nancy at the San Francisco Apple Store.  I was so lucky to have them both there and to share their stories in...
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