After working for almost 23 years in Finance and Advertising in the corporate world, working my way up from junior positions to supervisory and eventually into management; the tight deadlines, extremely long working hours and heavy stress, it became apparent that the “fun” started to wain.
“I love my job" was becoming a statement that I began to say less and less, eventually turning into resentment and thoughts of “I hate my job" were soon becoming more and more normal.
Big pay cheques and regular considerable sized bonuses seemingly weren't enough compensation for the toll on my psychological make-up, the drain on my happiness was huge.
I decided that there was more to life than being stuck in an office for up to 45 years to then retire and finding myself unable to do anything more adventurous than playing bingo, high tea dancing, early sleeping nights and my days filled with “I wish I could have done that when I was younger”.
I had taken my diving certifications during my annual leave holidays, eventually taking the Divemaster course for my own challenge whilst still working in the corporate world and on the fast slippery slope of no longer enjoying fat salaries and resenting the long 16-18 hours, 7 days a week.
However, I had no intention to work as a Divemaster professionally, I was happy to have long dive holidays and observe how things were run. I began assisting courses that in hindsight I could see weren't being conducted well, many skills overlooked, standards being dropped and ignored. This led me to acknowledge that I can do a better job and become a much better instructor.
I had decided I must become a PADI Instructor.
During my IDC I knew that being a teacher, a coach, an educator and a mentor was what I was meant to be, my passion for diving could be passed on to others to share.
My own fears and numerous mild panic surfacing during my own Open Water Course were to prove valuable in being able to encourage others to overcome theirs.
If you would like to find out more about the PADI Open Water Course, click here.
I began teaching in Mabul in March 2010, initially a 3 month “working holiday” at a small company, I went back and forth to the UK several times and also spent a year in Sri Lanka. During this time, I realized that no longer did I want to go back to the UK, nor in fact did I want to stay in Sri Lanka.
I felt compelled to go back to Mabul and work there.
In March 2013, I was full time, living, working and teaching on Mabul. This is my true passion and my dreams have come true.
In the 10-12 years of working at another company, I always admired from a distance the practices, principles and procedures of Scuba Junkie; I always dreamed of working at Scuba Junkie, I had several miss timed discussions with the Big Bosses, unfortunately there were no positions available.
Covid19 took its toll on everyone around the world, scuba diving wasn't excluded from this. However, recovery was in sight, diving was opening, dive companies were starting to operate and an opportunity to make the move was right for me.
In May 2022, another dream came true; I started to work at Scuba Junkie.
This successful well oiled machine is an absolute privilege I am so happy to be a part of. The quality of everything is spot on.. the dive equipment, the boats, the maintenance, the dive management, scheduling and support, the quality of teaching.. everything ticks the right boxes.
Attention to detail is second to none, every piece of equipment is accounted for and very well maintained, every diver is treated as an individual, and an instant friendship with guests is formed like family. Dive scheduling is carried out to military precision which can't be easy when there are upwards of 70 divers; PADI courses are conducted meticulously and best allocated appropriately whether age of students, language requirements, instructor experience, small groups, one to one if necessary, course programs are well thought out and managed to meet individual student and instructor requirements.
Guests are well informed as to where they are diving the next day.
Boat Captain scheduling is key, maintenance and service of engines carried out timely.
Dive briefings are informative, Divemasters (mostly in-house “zero to hero" trained) are professional as well as fun and friendly.
The team work amongst the Scuba Junkie staff is enormous, everyone helps out loading and unloading boats.. tanks.. equipment, even if you are not on that boat, we all help out.
My role is varied, some days teaching courses, some days Discover Scuba diving from the jetty, some days guiding certified divers around Mabul, Kapalai, and also at the infamous Sipadan, one of the top dive destinations in the world.
Want to find out more about Sipadan diving packages?
https://www.scuba-junkie.com/sipadan-diving-packages
I love sharing my knowledge and experience with other divers and my fellow colleagues.
I love teaching students at all levels, whether from beginner right up to the pro level.
My passion, enthusiasm and energy is thrown into all my dives, whether they are course dives or guiding fun divers.
Every day I can honestly say “I LOVE MY JOB".
Everyday when I walk down the Scuba Junkie jetty, I feel the biggest smile take over my face.
I am proud to be part of the Scuba Junkie family
I am proud to be a PADI Instructor.
Do you want to fulfil your dream and become a PADI Instructor like me?
Find out more about the upcoming Instructor Development Course here.
By Florencia Juarez (Instructor at Mabul beach resort)
Coleoid cephalopods like octopuses, squid, and cuttlefish are true masters of disguise and camouflage thanks to their sophisticated skin coloration systems. Their ability to change color, pattern, and even texture almost instantly gives them a huge survival advantage in the ocean.
In this post, we'll explore the amazing biomechanics behind coleoid skin color change and camouflage abilities. Read on to learn how these sea creatures manipulate specialized cells called chromatophores and muscles in their skin to pull off spectacular disappearing acts right before our eyes.
The key to the color-changing abilities of coleoids lies in specialized pigment-containing cells called chromatophores embedded throughout their skin. Each tiny chromatophore contains a sac of color pigment, usually red, brown, or yellow, surrounded by tiny muscles.
When the muscles contract, the chromatophores expand and become visible as splotches of color on the skin. When the muscles relax, the chromatophores contract into tiny dots, concealing the color.
By selectively contracting and relaxing different chromatophores, coleoids can rapidly change their skin's colors, patterns, and textures to blend into their surroundings. While chameleons change color over seconds, coleoids can transform in just 50-200 milliseconds!
Some coleoids like cuttlefish and octopuses also have muscular hydrostats in their skin tissue. These specialized musculature systems allow them to deform their skin into bumps and ridges that precisely mimic the textures of surrounding rocks, coral, and more.
Males can even display mating signals to females on one side of their body while simultaneously showing aggression to rival males on the other. Their soft hydrostatic skin allows them to rapidly switch between cryptic and conspicuous displays.
With their sophisticated chromatophore and skin muscular systems, coleoids truly are masters of rapid camouflage and visual signaling unrivalled in the animal kingdom. Their neutral network-controlled skin provides a huge survival advantage, allowing these cephalopods to escape predators, ambush prey, and communicate right under our noses.
Next time you spot an octopus or cuttlefish, while diving in Mabul, take a moment to marvel at their incredible color-changing abilities!
