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July 7, 2025 55 mins

In this episode of 'Don't Cut Your Own Bangs,' Danielle Ireland interviews adventurer and SDM Diving owner Eli Martinez. They discuss his unique career leading land and ocean safaris, dispelling myths about predators, and the connection between exploring the wild and self-discovery. Eli shares his journey from aspiring bull rider to renowned wildlife guide and photographer, emphasizing the therapeutic and transformative power of nature. Together, they explore how experiencing the wild fosters understanding, empathy, and personal growth.

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DANIELLE IRELAND, LCSW

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00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest

00:13 Eli Martinez: The Adventurer's Journey

01:21 Connecting with Nature and Overcoming Fear

02:18 Building a Dream Career

05:59 Diving into the World of Sharks

12:16 The Power of Social Media and Storytelling

17:59 The Importance of Conservation and Ecotourism

21:40 Personal Growth Through Wildlife Experiences

28:40 Connecting with Nature and Self

29:07 The Lion Tracker's Guide to Life

29:38 Struggles with Anxiety and Self-Doubt

31:04 Emotional Awareness and Growth

32:00 Transformative Experiences in the Wild

35:03 Launching Shark Diver Magazine

35:55 Shifting from Magazine to Excursions

40:49 Dispelling the Predator Myth

48:28 Curiosity and Career Pivots

53:30 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Transcript

Eli Martinez Podcast Interview

[00:00:00] Danielle: Hello. Hello. This is Danielle Ireland and you are listening to Don't Cut Your Own Banks and Today's Guest. this has been a long time coming for me. I am so excited beyond excited to introduce Eli Martinez. Eli is an adventurer.

[00:00:14] He's an explorer, he's an operator and owner of SDM Adventures. It's a group that leads land and ocean safaris. If you have ever seen these wild otherworldly images of people swimming with humpback whales, swimming with orca whales, swimming with crocodiles, swimming with anacondas. There's a good chance that you've stumbled across his images because he is one of the few,

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