Why Running is Good for a Career in Marine Science
Running regularly has turned out to be one of the best things I’ve done for my career in marine science. Seriously, good cardio makes a huge difference when your workday involves keeping up with animals who seem to have endless energy. Take Corky at SeaWorld, for example. She’s an older female, but you wouldn’t know it from the way she zips around the pool. She’ll cruise by, offer her pec, and give me that look like, “Oh, you want to go?”
And of course, I do.
So I stick out my hand, and suddenly we’re off, running along the pool edge while she glides beside me, back and forth, back and forth. I swear she could do it all day. The better your fitness is, the more fun these moments are. Swimming with dolphins is magical, but it also demands a lot from your body.
One of the most cardio-heavy parts of the job used to come right after swimming in “the Sea,” which is the opening segment of the dolphin show. During that swim, you’re underwater with the dolphins, holding your breath as they pull you across the pool. Sometimes you dive off the bridge, sometimes you’re waiting for them to meet you—anything can happen. You’re underwater thinking, Okay… where’s my dolphin? Meanwhile, the audience sees a seamless, graceful moment, not you silently negotiating with your lungs.
Then you break the surface with your dolphin, take a huge breath, and if you happen to be Talker Two that day—you immediately sprint down to the glass for the volunteer segment. You recognize the guest, grab the mic, and jump right into, “Hey everyone!” all while pretending you’re not absolutely gasping inside.
Those transitions are honestly some of the toughest parts of the show. You have seconds—seconds!—to recover before you’re speaking clearly and smiling at a crowd.
That’s why staying fit as a trainer is so important. It’s not just about health or safety (though those matter a lot). It’s about being able to perform at the highest level, give the animals your best energy, and keep the magic alive for every guest who watches.
