Celebrity Health – Claire Walsh
Claire Walsh was the first person to represent Ireland at the Freediving World Championships in 2019. Her new book Under Water, How holding my breath taught me to live is published by Gill Books. She uses social media and gives talks on wellness, breathing and motivational talks and workshops, which grew out of her Instagram @clairewalshlife. She was born and grew up in Kildare and now lives closer to the sea in Bray with her husband, Boudy.
Photo: Huub Waaldijk
In 2015 Claire Walsh set out on a series of solo travels in South America. In Honduras she discovered the underwater world of freediving, the sport of holding your breath underwater. It was a hobby she thought she would not continue after her return to Ireland. Instead she found that the mental discipline and structure around the sport gave her a fresh perspective on life and helped her find freedom.
Taking part in the Freediving World Championships in 2019, Claire was able to dive to 60 metres under the water’s surface and hold her breath for five minutes and 59 seconds without the use of breathing apparatus. All of this is done in one breath and just the oxygen in your lungs.
What are you up to these days Claire?
Last year was incredibly busy with writing the book and getting married so this summer I have decided to do a 360 degree project on myself. I have long Covid and it has led to respiratory issues which is not helpful for freediving. I decided to take a course to be an instructor in Buteyko Breathwork.
I am doing the boring but consistent things with my life – watching what I consume which includes what I eat and drink, the exercise I do, but also what I watch online, what I read and what I spend my energy on.
I am doing a TED talk in July and have speaking gigs over the summer that I am looking forward to.
What exercise do you do to stay fit?
When I am freediving during the off season in winter I would work on strength in the gym, breath holding, stamina, pool training and the mental aspect of freediving. Then I would get back into the water and work with a coach to schedule training in order to peak for competitions.
At the moment I work in the gym with a personal trainer three times a week and do slow consistent work. I live in Bray so I go down the road and swim in the sea most mornings. I much prefer sea swimming – there is a good community around it.
What do you eat to stay healthy?
I try to eat a diet that is as low carb as I can and focus on wholefoods.
I practise intermittent fasting, so I don’t eat until about 11am. I make a vegetable juice with ingredients such as spinach, cucumber, ginger, berries, cashew nuts and add water, and might have eggs.
My husband makes lunch and it can be anything from a bagel to salmon and eggs. I make dinner – my husband is Egyptian so rice is a real staple. Usually we have rice, vegetables and some meat.
I have a sweet tooth that I try to curb with dark chocolate. We both carry around fruit such as apples and bananas and nuts to keep us going.
Do you go to health stores?
I would drop into my local health store, Health Matters in Bray, and pick up herbal teas and protein powders. I take Revive Active for energy.
Under Water, How holding my breath taught me to live by Claire Walsh is published by Gill Books
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