A professional mermaid, a husband and a mother, selected from a group of pledgees, bravely came to SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium with their support buddies, to meet with aquarists and clinical psychologist Gemma Cribb, to face their fear of sharks.
Step One: They each shared the story of where their fears originated from, mostly from Hollywood and media, and were taken through a phobia workshop to understand their anxieties and how to manage them.
Their goal was to conquer their terrors, set a better example for their children and remove barries to activities they longed to enjoy free of fear, including family beach trips, open water diving and even swimming in pools.
In the case of professional mermaid and underwater performer, Hannah Moy, her fear had led her to turning down work.
“I love the ocean! I’ve made a successful career as a professional mermaid and have always been a huge advocate for protecting sharks, never fearing them, until one day a shark mistook me for a seal. Now I’m kinda spooked,” shared Hannah.
“It’s so irrational. I know more people die from vending machines falling on them, than from shark attacks, but I still freak out. I need to conquer this fear and get back to my full love of the ocean.” said Hannah.
Step Two: After the phobia workshop, in a little-by-little process, clinical psychologist Gemma Cribb refers to as ‘graded exposure’, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarist and shark enthusiast Emma Mather, first took the brave group to view some residents through the aquarium glass tunnels.
Emma introduced some of her favourite grey nurse sharks, Murdoch and Mary-Lou, and discussed why she feels these sharks in particular are the misunderstood ‘puppy dogs of the ocean’.
“There is a misconception that they are brainless man-eaters, but that is absolutely not the case. They are highly intelligent, and all have their individual personalities.”
Step Three: After learning about, and beginning to appreciate, some of the 13 species of sharks found in the Darling Harbour attraction, the group was taken back-of-house, to the surface of the tank, where they heard more from aquarists on working safely with the sharks daily.
Step Four: Finally, the phobia suffers and their support buddies, each received the rare opportunity to feed the grey nurse sharks safely from the side, using a feeding pole. Each of them did so calmly and received a huge group cheer upon a shark taking their offerings.
All participants said they had made huge progress in conquering their fears and moving towards their personal goals. Mother Christie Walker, was delighted to have set a good example for her daughter Abbie, who joined as her support buddy, Husband Michael Lozane, really enjoyed learning more about and getting up-and-close with the sharks and professional mermaid Hannah, was already planning her next visit to SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium.
“I think everyone needs to face their fears, no matter how big or small, it opens new opportunities. The sharks were very cute, friendly and gentle and I’m now on a bit of a high from facing my fear.” Giggled Hannah.
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