Manta rays are beautiful and majestic animals that have a life-changing effect on people who meet them. I want to protect them so humans can experience their transformational power for generations to come! My goal is to inspire people so they take action to protect the mantas' ecosystem and oceans all around the world.
2023: a Big Anniversary Year
Aloha Reader,
Today, I'd like to take a sidestep from writing about saving manta rays and ocean conservation... and ask you to join in a personal celebration.
1998- 25 years ago was the best and the worst year of my life.
I had just lost my husband at a young age and was going through a deep grieving period. I started traveling with the destination Hawaii... and after my first dive with the manta rays, everything changed. The deep transformation that washed over me made me realize there was hope after all... and it was the catalyst to dedicate my life to the gentle giants of the ocean.
| Readt the full story here |
2013 - 10 years ago started as the second-best year of my life...
In January of that year, I was in the right place at the right time when a bottlenose dolphin entangled in a fishing line came to ask our diving crew for help.
The video I shot on that day went viral on YouTube. It was featured on National Geographic, and I got contacted many times by people wanting to use the footage... I was flying high.
| Read the full story of Notch's adventure here |
And then, that same year... I was diagnosed with breast cancer. What started as an absolutely amazing year turned into another difficult chapter in my life.
Thankfully, I got to beat the big C... turning something challenging and confusing into something we can celebrate after all.
2023
This year, in 2023, I celebrate 25 years of manta ray passion, 10 years of success with Notch, and 10 years of being cancer-free. And I would love for you to celebrate with me! 🎉🎉
The examples above show that you can fly high and crash down anytime... but also that you can reach the lowest low and still find something to hang onto and turn your life around. For me, that was meeting the manta rays.
The lesson I drew from these events is that you always have to keep moving forward. And don't let bad times keep you down; there will always be good times after that... they're just like the waves, coming and going.
To top this year, I will celebrate my mom's and my birthday here in Hawaii. When you read this email, she will have just touched down in Kona. I asked her how she wanted to spend her birthday, and without hesitation, she said, "with the mantas again."
Ok, Mom!
She's done it before on her 80th birthday, so if you think you are too old for adventures, think of my mom, who will be turning 87 on 11.11. 🥰
Now, I would love to hear from you, dear readers.
What were the Big Moments in your life? Do you celebrate them? Do you get to celebrate them with others?
And if you have any stories of how manta rays impacted your life, reached into your soul, or gave you new purpose... I would love to hear those stories as well.
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Aloha, Martina |
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Martina Wing
Manta rays are beautiful and majestic animals that have a life-changing effect on people who meet them. I want to protect them so humans can experience their transformational power for generations to come! My goal is to inspire people so they take action to protect the mantas' ecosystem and oceans all around the world.
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Aloha Reader, After the devastating wildfires in Maui and the destruction of Lahaina on 08/08, I needed a few days to regain my emotional balance. A smaller fire also occurred on the Mauna Kea Beach hotel's grounds, so all together, it hit very close to home. I've received many heartfelt messages from around the world, and I want to thank everyone who thought of us here in Hawaii. We are doing well. I'm not one for sending emails for the sake of sending emails, but the last couple of weeks...
Aloha Reader, Sure, mantas are the majestic and awe-inspiring "gentle giants" of the ocean. Watching them slowly move through the water is incredibly zen (which you know if you went on a moonlight swim with us or watched the manta ray meditation videos!). But... Manta rays also have a fun and quirky side to them. They get born as burritos, they poop and vomit, they try to fly, and many other things - we compiled the most fun facts about manta rays in this article. I guarantee it will make you...