148. Jill Heinreth Navigates Hostile Environments in Deep Sea Caves

In the third episode, Julia is joined by Jill Heinerth, a cave diver, underwater explorer, and filmmaker. Jill dives into her unique experiences navigating literal and metaphorical hostile environments beneath the Earth's surface. She shares how she confronts fear, the strategies she uses to remain calm under pressure, and the critical role of teamwork in life-threatening situations. 

"Fear is not the enemy; it’s my friend. It sharpens my focus and reminds me of the respect I must have for the risks I take," said Jill. 

Jill emphasises the importance of empowering team members by creating a "charter of communication" and ensuring all voices are heard. She also reframes failure as “discovery learning,” highlighting its essential role in driving progress and innovation. 

Listen to this episode to find some powerful insights on leading; whether you’re leading a team, facing challenges, or diving into the unknown, Jill’s experiences will inspire and empower you to reframe success and failure. 

About the Guest:  

Jill Heinerth is a Canadian cave diver, underwater explorer, writer, photographer, and filmmaker. She is a veteran with over thirty years of filming, photography, and exploration on projects in submerged caves around the world. She has made TV series, consulted on movies, written several books and is a frequent corporate keynote speaker. Jill is the first Explorer in Residence for the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, a recipient of Canada’s prestigious Polar Medal and a Fellow of the International Scuba Divers Hall of Fame. In recognition of her lifetime achievement, Jill was awarded the Sir Christopher Ondaatje Medal for Exploration from the RCGS and the William Beebe Award from the Explorers Club.