A powerful family-friendly afternoon of film, story and breath and presence -for ocean lovers, endurance athletes, wave chasers and anyone with a growth mindset.
MEET CHALLENGE WITH PRESENCE
Long Reef Surf Club | Sunday 31 May | 2–6pm
Why "Meet Challenge with Presence"?
Because challenge is part of life — and how we meet it makes all the difference.
This afternoon is an invitation to stop seeing challenge as something to fight — and start meeting it with more awareness, calm and presence.
You’ll meet Joska Šálek, the man who held a plank for nearly 10 hours, ran a half marathon barefoot in snow and ice, and continues to redefine what the human mind and body can do.
You’ll also be guided by Miska Werner, freediving coach, Guinness World Record holder, and specialist in breath, presence, and calm under pressure.
Together, Joska and Miska bring two worlds into one room:
Land endurance. Water endurance. Human endurance.
What becomes possible when you stop fighting challenge - and learn to meet it with presence?
In sport. In water. In life.
What to expect
This is a live experience combining:
Feature Documentary Screening - Všechno je Možný / Everything's Possible
We’ll screen Joska’s feature documentary — a powerful, honest look into his story, mindset, discipline, and relationship with extreme challenge.
Live Conversation with Joska & Miska
Hear directly from both of us about endurance, fear, resilience, pressure, discomfort, and what it really takes to stay calm when the body and mind want to quit.
Practical Presence Tools
You’ll be introduced to simple, practical tools from breath training, freediving, and endurance mindset that you can take into sport, ocean, training, family, work, and life.
Personal Challenge Invitation
As always, you’ll be invited to gently explore your own perceived limitations.
Nothing unsafe.
Nothing forced.
No ego.
No pressure to perform.
You’ll leave inspired, but more importantly, you’ll leave with something practical you can use the next time life gets uncomfortable.
ABOUT THE FACILITATORS
Meet...Joska Salek
The Czech Man Who Redefines What's Possible, Author
Most athletes inspire because of the extraordinary gifts they were born with. Others inspire because of who they choose to become without them.
Joska Šálek is one of them.
At the age of 48, Joska stood at a crossroads. Struggling with excess weight, alcohol, and a sense of stagnation, he chose change.
Seven years later, he holds three Guinness World Records:
-
Longest abdominal plank (male): 9h 38min 47sec
-
Barefoot half marathon in snow & ice: 1h 50min 42sec (surpassing the previous record held by Wim Hof, widely known as “The Iceman”)
-
Weighted plank (18 kg): 1h 25min 02sec
The numbers are remarkable.
But what matters more is HOW — and WHY — they were achieved.
Joska is also a survivor of 66 days of wrongful imprisonment in an Arab jail. He emerged not bitter, but stronger — with a deep understanding that even when the odds are against us, we remain responsible for creating our own happiness.
Michaela (Miska) Werner
Life-long Student of Water
Miska Werner is a freediving athlete, coach and Guinness World Record holder based in Newcastle, NSW.
Her coaching work focuses on helping people reconnect with calm, clarity and trust in themselves.
Freediving teaches one powerful lesson:
You cannot fight water.
If you do, you lose.
Instead, you become aware of your nervous system's patterns, regulate your breath and move with awareness.
Together, Joska and Michaela bring two worlds together:
Miska also holds two Guinness World Records:
-
Longest Distance Underwater in 1 Hour (Female)
2,525m — Dynamic No Fins (25m × 101) -
Longest Distance Underwater in 24 Hours (Team, Breath-Held - under review) 98km — Dynamic No Fins (25m × 3,920)
During the workshop, Miska guides participants through breathing, awareness and nervous system regulation practices that help people remain calm under pressure.
WHO IS IT FOR?
This event is for people who are curious about what they’re truly capable of.
This event is for people who love the ocean, movement, real stories, and exploring what it means to meet challenge with more presence:
Runners
Surfers
Ocean swimmers
Rowers
Freedivers
Triathletes
Endurance athletes
Ocean lovers
Parents with teenagers 14+
People rebuilding confidence
People who want to feel more alive and inspired
Anyone who wants to respond better under pressure
You do not need to be an elite athlete.
You do need to be curious, open-minded and willing to meet challenge differently.
Small note: I’d use Ocean swimmers instead of “(Ocean) Swimmers”. Cleaner.
"When people imagine someone who can hold a plank for almost 10 hours, or their breath for over 6 minutes, they picture the chiselled body it must require.
Very few imagine the chiselled mind."
FAQ
Do I need to be an athlete to attend?
Is this suitable for teenagers?
What will happen during the afternoon?
Is this about pushing through pain or proving yourself?
Is this a one-off event in Sydney?
Join us at Long Reef Surf Club for a one-off afternoon of film, story, breath and presence.
Tickets
Opening allocation now available. Limited number of tickets at this price.
