EP 255: Morgane Herculano – High diving in an abandoned mine, Finishing top 5 in the world, Going from free education in Switzerland to $80k per year at Harvard, Redefining fear & focus, Finding opportunity in social media, and NCAA NIL ban

Morgane Herculano is a professional high diver, Harvard graduate, and one of the most fascinating athletes you’ve never heard of. Born and raised in Switzerland, Morgane turned a love of flips at her local pool into a global career, diving from cliffs and platforms towering nearly 60 feet above the water. Now based between Boston and Montreal, she joins The Lineup fresh off a season that took her from Japan to Iceland to Italy, competing across the world in conditions that test not just athletic precision but nerve, adaptability, and trust in yourself. Morgane opens up about the mental side of diving with the fear never really goes away, what it means to balance intellect and adrenaline, and how social media has created new ways for niche athletes to make a living. She reflects on her journey from traditional diving to the extreme world of high diving, the challenges of growing up as the oldest of five in Switzerland, and earning her spot at Harvard without an athletic scholarship. She discusses how the NCAA NIL law changed the game for college athletes' opportunity to earn income, the unique camaraderie within the cliff diving community, and the accomplishment of a top-five World Cup finish in 2025. Learn more about Morgane here and follow her here. Catch the highlights from the Surf Abu Dhabi Longboard Classic, Oct 24 - 26. Stay tuned to the Surf City El Salvador Longboard Championships, Nov 5 - 9. Big Wave Season window is right around the corner! Stay tuned November 1st, 2025 - March 31st, 2026. Get the latest merch at the WSL Store! Join the conversation by following The Lineup podcast with Dave Prodan on Instagram and subscribing to our YouTube channel. Get the latest WSL rankings, news, and event info.**Visit this page if you’ve been affected by the Los Angeles wildfires, and would like to volunteer or donate. Our hearts are with  you.** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices