As a professional, you need to find a balance between work and life, or work-life balance. Having a hobby is an essential part of that balance. We meet a Glovis employee who enjoys CrossFit and free diving. Let’s find out how he makes his work and life more enjoyable through active hobbies.
Manager Lim Chul-ho of the Asia Forwarding Operation Team is a Glovis employee who lives life to the fullest in a 24-hour day. He is responsible for TPL and subcontractor forwarding operations in China and Southeast Asia, and while he fulfills his role as a professional, he is also passionate about his leisure activities. His hobbies include CrossFit and free diving. He was first introduced to CrossFit as a college student and still hits the box (CrossFit’s term for a gym) after work. He says CrossFit is best done with a group of people so he can have fun while improving his skills quickly.
He got into free diving when he joined the company’s dongle program. Manager Lim Chul-ho, who has always been a fan of marine leisure and used to go scuba diving, started free diving out of curiosity. Diving pools are not common, and the cost of equipment and lessons is considerable, but it is hard to give up the various satisfactions that free diving brings.
Manager Lim Chul-ho believes that hobbies are necessary for office workers who spend most of their time and energy at work. This is because hobbies can make life more colorful and varied. They can help you overcome boredom and monotony, and give you a sense of accomplishment that pushes your limits. That’s why Manager Lim finds activities he enjoys and fills his free time with valuable experiences. In the future, time and money permitting, he would like to learn to play a musical instrument. We can’t wait to see what’s next for him as he expands his hobbies beyond the boundaries of his field.
When did you get started in CrossFit, and what was the reason for getting started?
I started CrossFit in my senior year of college, initially just because I loved the performance aspect of the sport, but then I realized that it not only improved my physical skills and gave me a great workout, but also helped me with my mental health, including stress reduction. CrossFit helped me relieve some of the stress I was feeling preparing for the job market, and it’s something I continue to enjoy and be passionate about.
What are the benefits of CrossFit?
It’s a lot of fun-the routine changes every day, and the variety of movements never gets old. And CrossFit is a hexagonal workout. It doesn’t focus on one specific physical skill, but rather develops a wide range of physical abilities, including strength, flexibility, body coordination, and aerobic capacity.
How many times a week do you do CrossFit?
I usually work out about 6 times a week. During the week, I usually work out at a box near my work for about an hour and a half to two hours a day. On the weekends, I go to drop-ins (which means trying a new CrossFit box that isn’t my own) in different neighborhoods with the people I work out with.
Is there anything different about me before and after CrossFit?
I didn’t always enjoy moving my body, but CrossFit made me fall in love with exercise, and the high-intensity workouts I was doing every day gave me the confidence to know that I could overcome any challenge that came my way.
Do you have any memorable stories or experiences from your time at CrossFit?
I remember participating in a CrossFit competition called K BOX RISE as a staff member. I remember watching famous athletes and athletic influencers compete up close, and it motivated me to push myself harder. Other than that, I’ll never forget every time I lifted a bigger weight or completed a challenging movement.
Tell us about your favorite CrossFit workout.
It’s hard to pinpoint a favorite exercise because I perform a routine that consists of a variety of weightlifting and gymnastic movements every day, but I personally love the snatch, which is the crown jewel of weightlifting. It’s difficult to perform because it requires a lot of power, speed, and precise form, but it’s also very rewarding when you lift more weight.
Snatch training session
Who would you recommend CrossFit to?
It’s a workout that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, so we recommend it for everyone. There is a misconception that it’s too strenuous and intense to be accessible, but it can be done by anyone at any level and experience.
What kind of sport is freediving?
Free diving is a sport in which you dive without breathing. You take your last breath at the surface and then perform underwater maneuvers using only that breath. The disciplines include Static Apnea (STA), where you float on the surface and submerge your face to extend your apnea time; Constant Weight (CWT), where you dive as deep as you can with fins; Free Immersion (FIM), where you dive as deep as you can without fins and use your hands to hold onto a descent line; and Dynamic Apnea (DYN), where you wear fins and measure the distance you can travel horizontally without breathing.
You can watch a video explaining freediving by clicking on the image
(Source: YouTube ‘Felix Salmon’ channel)
What are the pros and cons of free diving as a hobby?
I think the biggest benefit is the increased mental and physical control, which is important because you’re holding your breath for a relatively long time. The more I free dive, the more I feel like I have a clearer understanding of my mental and physical situation and limitations, and I am able to overcome them.
The downside is that it can be quite expensive. As you progress through the levels, you’ll need more equipment, and you’ll have to pay for lessons and pool access, which can be quite expensive.
“The main attraction of freediving is that it allows you to explore the depths of the ocean without the help of artificial equipment, using only your body and breath. Reaching depths that are normally inaccessible, the silence you feel in the water, the gift-like sea creatures you encounter… the list of attractions is endless!”
Where do you free dive?
When I’m not out at sea, I usually dive at a dive pool called Deep Station in Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do. It has a maximum depth of 36 meters, which is more than enough for most intermediate skills and certification requirements.
What should I be aware of when freediving?
Never push yourself beyond your capabilities. It’s important to always play it conservatively because it’s an apnea sport underwater, and if you get too ambitious, you can damage your bronchial tubes, lungs, eardrums, etc. and it’s not uncommon for people to pass out while diving.
Do you want to join a club or are you looking to earn a certification?
I dive with free diving dongeuli ‘SUM’ members. (we hope you’ll join us!) Free diving certifications range from AIDA 1 to AIDA 4 at the general level, with AIDA 4 currently nearing completion.
Free diving is certified by AIDA, the world’s largest freediving organization. There are four levels of certification, from AIDA1 to AIDA4, depending on your ability to perform freediving disciplines. Each level requires theory, pool, and ocean training. You can also get certified through PADI, the diving training organization.
Have there been any moments of danger during your free diving?
I’ve never had a dangerous moment while freediving. As long as you follow the principles of freediving and dive conservatively, you’ll be safe.
Do you have any tips of your own on how to make free diving more enjoyable and more efficient?
Diving with a buddy is an enjoyable, efficient, and safe way to dive. In fact, it’s more of a basic principle than a tip: you need a buddy to give you feedback on your dives, to help you dive efficiently and safely, and to help you deal with the many unexpected situations that can arise during a dive.
Do you have any recommendations for where to go or where to learn for Glovis people who want to try freediving?
Beginners usually start at the Jamsil Olympic Pool. If you’re a Glovis member, we recommend you sign up for the freediving dongle ‘SUM’! We’ll guide you through the world of freediving with lots of support!
By Editorial department
2024.04.05