Li Karlsén is a former Army Captain that turned athlete and entrepreneur.
I am a former Army Captain turned civil rights defender, athlete, and entrepreneur. Born in Sweden, I now live in Mauritius, where I dive with whales and dolphins daily—a journey that sounds like paradise but took me through hell to achieve.
Grounded from becoming a pilot by a car accident that almost killed me and took my best friend, I joined the Swedish Armed Forces. I participated in several international missions as a soldier and officer. I realized that most of my battles were internal, not just external in different war zones, leading me to search for peace within via freediving.
Today, I am one of the world’s best freedivers and instructors, reaching depths below 70 meters, distances longer than 200 meters, and a breath hold of more than 6 minutes. Recently, I completed the longest dive ever done under the icebergs and pack ice in Greenland.
My next mission is not about depth, distance, or dopamine—but about sharing. I aim to share knowledge, adventures, and experiences that help others reach their full potential, whether you are an athlete, author, or artist. I want to help and coach others to go beyond their deepest fears to reach their highest level of freedom, whether you’re starting from running or a wheelchair.
