She swims with sharks, jumps into ice-cold water and can dive over 100 feet down on any given day. Ashleigh Baird discovered her love for the underwater world as a child — and now, she’s become an extraordinary freediver. Here, learn more about her journey to becoming the real-life aqua woman.

Ashleigh’s dream of becoming a professional freediver almost ended before it was even a thought. Battling an auto-immune disorder left her physically inactive for most of her childhood.  Join Ashleigh as she overcomes a traumatic childhood and puts her Architecture career on hold to pursue her dream of becoming a professional freediver. She now experiences another world some rarely get to see and gains incredible accomplishments along the way.

Ashleigh has an amazing showcase of freedive photography on her Instagram that will inspire anyone with an interest in diving.

Ashleigh Baird on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Sweetwater dips with @inghamshootz . . . #Abyssegirls #diverusa #lifeinblue #protectfloridaswater #livefreedivefree #memorycollector #girlswhofreedive #pureflorida #theimaged #underwaterphotography

A post shared by ᴀꜱʜʟᴇɪɢʜ ʟᴀᴜʀᴇɴ (@deepleigh) on Jul 31, 2020 at 9:41am PDT

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Right before the madness hit, my friend Drew and I made it out to this fairy tale spot deep in a Florida forest. We couldn't have asked for better conditions – it was a day for the record books. Until next time! 🤙 PC | @drew.herrick . . . . #We🖤FL #floridaexplored #underwaterlandscapes #lifeunderwater #visualscollective #theimaged #aguadulce #floridaunderwater #pureflorida #ourblueplanet #girlswhofreedive #traveldeeper #earthofficial #gramslayers

A post shared by ᴀꜱʜʟᴇɪɢʜ ʟᴀᴜʀᴇɴ (@deepleigh) on Apr 8, 2020 at 12:35pm PDT

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I just took a DNA test turns out I'm 100% that ghost. • PC @doctoronwater ⚡ • • • #mexico #mexicoazul #tulum #quintanaroo #discovermexico #discoverglobe #cenote #buceolibre #girlswhofreedive #traveldeeper #earthofficial #theimaged #gramslayers #lamerblueheart #lamerdonates

A post shared by ᴀꜱʜʟᴇɪɢʜ ʟᴀᴜʀᴇɴ (@deepleigh) on Jun 4, 2019 at 9:01am PDT

See more of Ashleigh

Ashleigh’s Instagram – @deepleigh

Documentary by Brian Russell

Film Credits: Brian Russell, Ashleigh Baird, Michael Dornellas, Igor Liberti