‘Lesson From Jeju’: Meet the Resilient Waterwomen of South Korea

For years we’ve bought into this idea that motherhood equates to sacrificing your passions, your career, and your freedom. For professional freediver Kimi Werner, the thought of becoming a mom worried her. As someone who makes her living by being in the ocean nearly 24/7, she couldn’t fathom how she’d balance that while raising a child. Werner had no role models to look to until she discovered the community of diving moms off the Island of Jeju in South Korea. 

RELATED: ‘Pretty Strong’ Celebrates Female Climbers on the Big Screen

They’re known as the Haenyeo, and are revered as Korea’s first working moms. Even though they’re well into elder years, they continue to dive and thrive in the ocean. Follow along with Werner as she learns from this incredible group of women that motherhood isn’t an ending, but a new path forward.