- Bonus Autism Episode-Embracing the Waves: Louis Marinucci's Life as an Autistic Diver and Online Creator Sara Gullihur-Bradford aka SJ Childs 1:09:54
Imagine discovering your passion underwater and transforming into a real-life merman. That's the incredible story of Louis Marinucci, an autistic YouTuber, Twitch streamer, scuba diver, open water free diver, and professional merman. In our conversation, Louis shares his love for water, his journey to becoming a certified scuba diver, and his experiences with DiveHeart, a non-profit organization that helps people with disabilities learn to scuba dive.
We explore Louis's adventures as a volunteer at Adventure Aquarium and his aspirations to become a professional merman. We discuss his experiences with different certifications, the challenges he faced, and how being a diver makes him feel like a merman underwater. Louis also talks about his involvement with DiveHeart, his mentor Wendy Crown, and the heartwarming stories of people they've helped through adaptive diving.
In this captivating episode, we also delve into Louis's experiences as an autistic content creator on YouTube and Twitch, touching on his struggles with communication skills leading up to his diagnosis with Asperger Syndrome at age 12. We examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on his mental health and the importance of community support in helping him through difficult times. Don't miss this uplifting conversation with an inspiring individual who's breaking barriers and making waves in the world of scuba diving and mermaiding.
