Finding Courage in the Depths: My Journey to Women of Water
When trauma left Amanda unable to work, the ocean became her sanctuary. What began as gentle healing swims with her dog Abby evolved into something far more profound—a journey 12 metres beneath the surface where whales sing and tears flow freely underwater. From single motherhood to the depths of the Ningaloo, Amanda's story reminds us that sometimes our greatest transformations happen not on land, but in the embrace of salt water. Her photography book Women of Water celebrates the subtle courage we all possess and the divine feminine connection that flows between women and the sea.
“This isn’t just my story - it’s all of our stories of finding courage in the depths. And that sometimes, through the waves of change, we find our truest direction.”
By Amanda Battle
They say there's a fine line between stupidity and being brave - and trust me, I've walked that line more times than I care to admit! But at the heart of my story lies a different kind of bravery: the gentle, subtle courage that whispers rather than roars.
My journey began as a single mum at 21, juggling a BA Science degree, then a Diploma of Education, while trying to provide stability for my beautiful daughter. I carved out a career as a high school science teacher, but my soul longed for something beyond classroom walls - wide open spaces, bare feet, salty hair, and freedom.
Following those whispers of discontent, I left education and dove deep into yoga, opening my own yoga studio in my hometown in Perth, WA. This led me to magical places like California, Bali, and India, teaching everything from SUP yoga to teacher trainings and festivals worldwide. But financial reality hit hard, and after a separation, I found myself back in "survival mode," returning to what I knew best - teaching.
“They say there’s a fine line between stupidity and being brave - and trust me, I’ve walked that line more times than I care to admit!”
Then came the day that changed everything - a traumatic workplace incident that left me unable to work for years. Some days, all I could manage was walking to my little beach with my dog Abby, swimming in the ocean, and sleeping. The sea became my sanctuary, slowly rebuilding the safety I'd lost within my own body.
A friend's suggestion to join a freediving and yoga retreat in Exmouth sparked something alive in me that had remained dormant for so long. I bought a pop-up camper and took off solo on what would become such a pivotal part of my journey.
Diving 12 metres underwater, on one breath, in the loving embrace of the Ningaloo, hearing whales sing so clearly and beautifully, I discovered you can cry underwater. That moment planted a seed that would grow into everything that followed.
An underwater photography retreat the following year called to every cell in my body. Though I'd never considered myself a photographer, I followed curiosity's gentle pull. A serendipitous meeting with local photographer Sarah led to my purchasing my first professional underwater setup - and despite flooding cameras and countless out-of-focus shots, I knew there was something magical happening.
That first photo of Abby in my ocean - the same waters that had held me since childhood - captured pure joy and essence. Now, thousands of photos later, predominantly of women in the sea, I still feel that same wonder.
Women of Water, now a published coffee table photography book and mini documentary, emerged from this journey - a celebration of the subtle bravery we all possess. It's about our deep, spiritual connection to the sea, how the ocean serves as a source of inspiration, healing, and inner peace. The divine feminine in its purest form.
This isn't just my story - it's all of our stories of finding courage in the depths. And that sometimes, through the waves of change, we find our truest direction.
Oceans of Love,
Amanda x