Jill Heinerth > Quotes

“But when we transcend the fear of failure and terror of the unknown, we are all capable of great things, personally and as a society. We might not always know where the journey will lead us. We might feel a burden of difficulty, but all paths lead to discovery. Both good and bad life events contribute to the fabric of who we are as individuals and as a civilization. If we continue to trek purposefully toward our dreams, into the planet and beyond, we just might achieve the impossible.”
― Jill Heinerth, Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver

“I am not fearless. I’m alive today because I’ve learned to embrace fear as a positive catalyst in my life. As I dwell on the threshold of darkness, I might be scared, but I don’t run away.”
― Jill Heinerth, Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver

“Both in cave diving and in life, the darkness of uncertainty was beckoning. I was scared, but I knew that if I could be brave enough to step over the brink into the blackness, my eyes would adjust and new possibilities would be revealed.”
― Jill Heinerth, Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver

“I am not fearless. I’m alive today because I’ve learned to embrace fear as a positive catalyst in my life. As I dwell on the threshold of darkness, I might be scared, but I don’t run away. I dance in the joy of uncertainty.”
― Jill Heinerth, Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver

“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” T.S. ELIOT, from the preface to Transit of Venus: Poems by Harry Crosby (1931)”
― Jill Heinerth, Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver

“You must be willing to get within a hair’s breadth of what you perceive as success, and no matter the investment, know when it is time to go home.”
― Jill Heinerth, Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver

“For me, acknowledging and then living my wildest dream has meant learning to accept and welcome fear.”
― Jill Heinerth, Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver

“Our brains are finely attuned to novelty and new sensations, but lose focus when things become commonplace. We stop paying attention to the less-than-novel stuff, and for expeditioners that means we inevitably slide toward complacency—and sometimes we only see that slide in hindsight.”
― Jill Heinerth, Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver

“I wasn’t just exploring the pocked landscape; I was also exploring conceptual barriers. By passing through the threshold of darkness, I was discovering my psychological limits and potential. Each time my eyes adjusted to the dim light, I would find new strength, and with courage, I could go further.”
― Jill Heinerth, Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver

“I wanted to be regarded as an accomplished explorer rather than as an accomplished female explorer. I wanted to encourage other women to fulfill their dreams despite imposed gender barriers. I wanted other women to know that difficult endeavors are possible and success is worth celebrating.”
― Jill Heinerth, Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver

“I had a choice to make: I could continue to be a victim or I could try to rise above the experience.”
― Jill Heinerth, Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver

“I am not fearless. I'm alive today because I've learned to embrace fear as a positive catalyst in my life. As I dwell on the threshold of darkness, I might be scared, but I don't run away. I dance in the joy of uncertainty.”
― Jill Heinerth, Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver

“For the rest of my life, I vowed to practice the skills needed to be a survivor. I would not hide under the covers again. I would face challenges with fierce will and optimism.”
― Jill Heinerth, Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver

“The Darkness Beckons or Cousteau’s The Silent World.”
― Jill Heinerth, Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver

“And yet, like many women, I am often tormented with self-doubt, feeling inadequate about my accomplishments”
― Jill Heinerth, Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver

“Like most people, by adulthood I found myself searching for stability and certainty. It’s easy to become comfortable with the status quo, more concerned about losing ground than reaching new heights. We”
― Jill Heinerth, Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver

“I was scared, but I knew that if I could be brave enough to step over the brink into the blackness, my eyes would adjust and new possibilities would be revealed.”
― Jill Heinerth, Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver

“Both in cave diving and in life, the darkness of uncertainty was beckoning. I was scared, but I knew that if I could be brave enough to step over the brink into the blackness, my eyes would adjust and new possibilities would be revealed. I had moved to a new country once before, and it felt easier the second time around. The”
― Jill Heinerth, Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver

“Survival doesn’t have to be pretty, just effective.”
― Jill Heinerth, Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver

“There are no training manuals or protocols to follow. When you’re the first to do something, there’s nobody to call for help.”
― Jill Heinerth, Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver

“With a new confidence in my abilities, I recognized how important it was that I pursued things that fulfilled me.”
― Jill Heinerth, Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver

“When I certify a student at any level of diving, I ask myself if that person is capable of self-rescue and capable of buddy-rescue in conditions similar to or perhaps worse those of their certification level. I can sign them off on their behavior and performance at a given level, but must rely on them to continue to make good choices in the future.”
― Jill Heinerth, The Essentials of Cave Diving: The latest techniques, equipment and practices for scuba diving in caves and caverns using open circuit, side mount and rebreathers.

“There comes a moment when you’re confronted by fear when you have to make a choice. Surrender, or fight. And in that moment of clarity, we find what we’re made of.”
― Jill Heinerth, Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver

“When pain subsides, death is often lurking.”
― Jill Heinerth, Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver

“make”
― Jill Heinerth, Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver

“I am not fearless. I’m alive today because I’ve learned to embrace fear as a positive catalyst in my life. As I dwell on the threshold of darkness, I might be scared, but I don’t run away. I dance in the joy of uncertainty. In the Beginning 1967–1990 MY EARLIEST MEMORY is of almost drowning.”
― Jill Heinerth, Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver

“IF I DIE, it will be in the most glorious place that nobody has ever seen.”
― Jill Heinerth, Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver

“When you are the person waiting, each moment stretches into eternity, and the voices in your head threaten to take over your brain.”
― Jill Heinerth, Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver

“But when we transcend the fear of failure and terror of the unknown, we are all capable of great things, personally and as a society.”
― Jill Heinerth, Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver

“My survival depends on my balancing fear and confidence.”
― Jill Heinerth, Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver