Nick, age 3, suited up and ready to dive into his family pool, takes time for a photo op with Uncle Paul. Courtesy Paul Mevoli .Nick, age 3, suited up and ready to dive into his family pool, takes time for a photo op with Uncle Paul. Courtesy Paul Mevoli .

Nick, age 3, suited up and ready to dive into his family pool, takes time for a photo op with Uncle Paul. Courtesy Paul Mevoli.

A teenaged Nick hugs his mother, Belinda Rudzik, in his grandparents’ garden in South Plainfield, New Jersey. Courtesy Katie Rudzik .A teenaged Nick hugs his mother, Belinda Rudzik, in his grandparents’ garden in South Plainfield, New Jersey. Courtesy Katie Rudzik .

A teenaged Nick hugs his mother, Belinda Rudzik, in his grandparents’ garden in South Plainfield, New Jersey. Courtesy Katie Rudzik.

From left, Aaron Suko, Soliman Lawrence, and Nick Mevoli at the Cloisters museum in Washington Heights, New York City, March 2006. Courtesy Aaron SukoFrom left, Aaron Suko, Soliman Lawrence, and Nick Mevoli at the Cloisters museum in Washington Heights, New York City, March 2006. Courtesy Aaron Suko

From left, Aaron Suko, Soliman Lawrence, and Nick Mevoli at the Cloisters museum in Washington Heights, New York City, March 2006. Courtesy Aaron Suko

The DVD cover and poster art for Exist , starring Nick Mevoli and directed by Esther Bell. Courtesy Esther BellThe DVD cover and poster art for Exist , starring Nick Mevoli and directed by Esther Bell. Courtesy Esther Bell

The DVD cover and poster art for Exist, starring Nick Mevoli and directed by Esther Bell. Courtesy Esther Bell

Nick and Esther pose above Niagara Falls in July 2003. Courtesy Esther BellNick and Esther pose above Niagara Falls in July 2003. Courtesy Esther Bell

Nick and Esther pose above Niagara Falls in July 2003. Courtesy Esther Bell

Nick and the US Freediving Team join the parade of athletes on their march through the streets of Nice, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2012 AIDA Team World Championship. Courtesy Ren ChapmanNick and the US Freediving Team join the parade of athletes on their march through the streets of Nice, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2012 AIDA Team World Championship. Courtesy Ren Chapman

Nick and the US Freediving Team join the parade of athletes on their march through the streets of Nice, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2012 AIDA Team World Championship. Courtesy Ren Chapman

Nick and Jen, with their father, Larry Mevoli, enjoy the sunset on St. Petersburg Beach in August 2011 while Jen is pregnant with Nick’s goddaughter, Alexandra. Courtesy Katie RudzikNick and Jen, with their father, Larry Mevoli, enjoy the sunset on St. Petersburg Beach in August 2011 while Jen is pregnant with Nick’s goddaughter, Alexandra. Courtesy Katie Rudzik

Nick and Jen, with their father, Larry Mevoli, enjoy the sunset on St. Petersburg Beach in August 2011 while Jen is pregnant with Nick’s goddaughter, Alexandra. Courtesy Katie Rudzik

After a prolonged hunt at Seven Mile Bridge off Marathon Key, Nick surfaces with the biggest fish he ever caught, a 35-pound amberjack. Courtesy Paul MevoliAfter a prolonged hunt at Seven Mile Bridge off Marathon Key, Nick surfaces with the biggest fish he ever caught, a 35-pound amberjack. Courtesy Paul Mevoli

After a prolonged hunt at Seven Mile Bridge off Marathon Key, Nick surfaces with the biggest fish he ever caught, a 35-pound amberjack. Courtesy Paul Mevoli

With Slovenian champion Samo Jeranko in the background, Will Trubridge flashes a grin after scoring a white card with his 120-meter Free Immersion dive at the 2014 edition of Vertical Blue. After a rocky start and a failed world-record bid in Constant No Fins, that dive placed him back in the hunt for gold. Photo credit: Daan VerhoevenWith Slovenian champion Samo Jeranko in the background, Will Trubridge flashes a grin after scoring a white card with his 120-meter Free Immersion dive at the 2014 edition of Vertical Blue. After a rocky start and a failed world-record bid in Constant No Fins, that dive placed him back in the hunt for gold. Photo credit: Daan Verhoeven

With Slovenian champion Samo Jeranko in the background, Will Trubridge flashes a grin after scoring a white card with his 120-meter Free Immersion dive at the 2014 edition of Vertical Blue. After a rocky start and a failed world-record bid in Constant No Fins, that dive placed him back in the hunt for gold. Photo credit: Daan Verhoeven

Russia’s Natalia Molchanova, the greatest female freediver of all time and one of the very best of all time regardless of gender, waves to an adoring crowd after breaking the women’s world record in Dynamic Apnea with a swim of 237 meters at the 2014 AIDA Team World Championship in Sardinia, Italy. Photo credit: Daan Verhoeven .Russia’s Natalia Molchanova, the greatest female freediver of all time and one of the very best of all time regardless of gender, waves to an adoring crowd after breaking the women’s world record in Dynamic Apnea with a swim of 237 meters at the 2014 AIDA Team World Championship in Sardinia, Italy. Photo credit: Daan Verhoeven .

Russia’s Natalia Molchanova, the greatest female freediver of all time and one of the very best of all time regardless of gender, waves to an adoring crowd after breaking the women’s world record in Dynamic Apnea with a swim of 237 meters at the 2014 AIDA Team World Championship in Sardinia, Italy. Photo credit: Daan Verhoeven.

Natalia Molchanova glides down to 96 meters at the 2014 AIDA Team World Championship, where she led the Russian women to the gold medal. Natalia remains the only woman ever to eclipse 100 meters in any of the competitive freediving disciplines. Photo credit: Daan VerhoevenNatalia Molchanova glides down to 96 meters at the 2014 AIDA Team World Championship, where she led the Russian women to the gold medal. Natalia remains the only woman ever to eclipse 100 meters in any of the competitive freediving disciplines. Photo credit: Daan Verhoeven

Natalia Molchanova glides down to 96 meters at the 2014 AIDA Team World Championship, where she led the Russian women to the gold medal. Natalia remains the only woman ever to eclipse 100 meters in any of the competitive freediving disciplines. Photo credit: Daan Verhoeven

Final dive, Alexey showing his tag after 123 meter dive to win the competition.Final dive, Alexey showing his tag after 123 meter dive to win the competition.

Alexey Molchanov completes the surface protocol and flashes the tag he fetched from the bottom plate after a dive to 123 meters in Constant Weight, while fans and athletes look on. With that dive, Alexey secured overall Caribbean Cup gold and defeated Will Trubridge for an overall title for the first time in his career. Photo credit: Lia Barrett.

Former Royal Marine and England’s best freediver Michael Board on the beach in Sardinia, where he competed for Great Britain at the 2014 AIDA Team World Championship. Photo credit: Daan VerhoevenFormer Royal Marine and England’s best freediver Michael Board on the beach in Sardinia, where he competed for Great Britain at the 2014 AIDA Team World Championship. Photo credit: Daan Verhoeven

Former Royal Marine and England’s best freediver Michael Board on the beach in Sardinia, where he competed for Great Britain at the 2014 AIDA Team World Championship. Photo credit: Daan Verhoeven

Kerry Hollowell poses with her monofin on the beach in Roatan, Honduras, where she competed in the 2015 edition of the Caribbean Cup. Photo credit: Lia Barrett.Kerry Hollowell poses with her monofin on the beach in Roatan, Honduras, where she competed in the 2015 edition of the Caribbean Cup. Photo credit: Lia Barrett.

Kerry Hollowell poses with her monofin on the beach in Roatan, Honduras, where she competed in the 2015 edition of the Caribbean Cup. Photo credit: Lia Barrett.

Ashley Chapman celebrates completing her dive that broke the Women's Constant Weight No Fins World Record with a dive to 65 meters on one breath.Ashley Chapman celebrates completing her dive that broke the Women's Constant Weight No Fins World Record with a dive to 65 meters on one breath.

Ashley Chapman celebrates after breaking Natalia Molchanova’s world record in the Constant No Fins discipline at the 2012 edition of Deja Blue in the Cayman Islands. Natalia would take the record back within days, but Ashley’s mark still stands as the American record. Photo credit: Logan Mock Bunting

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From left, Ren Chapman, Ashley Chapman, and Nick enjoy stogies and rum on their road trip through Pinar Del Rio, Cuba, in 2012. Courtesy Ren Chapman.

Nick and Iru make arepas for all comers in Nick’s makeshift DIY kitchen during the 2013 AIDA Individual Depth World Championship. Courtesy Iru BalicNick and Iru make arepas for all comers in Nick’s makeshift DIY kitchen during the 2013 AIDA Individual Depth World Championship. Courtesy Iru Balic

Nick and Iru make arepas for all comers in Nick’s makeshift DIY kitchen during the 2013 AIDA Individual Depth World Championship. Courtesy Iru Balic

Safety divers (R-L) Garo Jack Hachigian, Robert Lee, and Ren Chapman rescue Nick Mevoli after an extremely dangerous blackout nearly 30 meters under the surface. Securing his airway, they quickly swim him up to the surface where medical professionals and oxygen are waiting.Safety divers (R-L) Garo Jack Hachigian, Robert Lee, and Ren Chapman rescue Nick Mevoli after an extremely dangerous blackout nearly 30 meters under the surface. Securing his airway, they quickly swim him up to the surface where medical professionals and oxygen are waiting.

Safety divers assist Nick to the surface after a deepwater blackout during his failed Free Immersion attempt at Deja Blue 2012. Photo credit: Logan Mock Bunting

On May 27, 2013, Nick kicks down toward an American record of 100 meters and back on a single breath, in Constant Weight at the Caribbean Cup in Roatan, Honduras, just thirteen months after his very first competition. Nobody in the history of the sport reached that milestone in such a short time. Photo credit: Lia Barrett .On May 27, 2013, Nick kicks down toward an American record of 100 meters and back on a single breath, in Constant Weight at the Caribbean Cup in Roatan, Honduras, just thirteen months after his very first competition. Nobody in the history of the sport reached that milestone in such a short time. Photo credit: Lia Barrett .

On May 27, 2013, Nick kicks down toward an American record of 100 meters and back on a single breath, in Constant Weight at the Caribbean Cup in Roatan, Honduras, just thirteen months after his very first competition. Nobody in the history of the sport reached that milestone in such a short time. Photo credit: Lia Barrett.

After the white card comes, Nick lets loose. Photo credit: Logan Mock Bunting.After the white card comes, Nick lets loose. Photo credit: Logan Mock Bunting.

After the white card comes, Nick lets loose. Photo credit: Logan Mock Bunting.

Fifteen-time world-record holder William Trubridge in his element at Dean’s Blue Hole. Photo credit: Daan VerhoevenFifteen-time world-record holder William Trubridge in his element at Dean’s Blue Hole. Photo credit: Daan Verhoeven

Fifteen-time world-record holder William Trubridge in his element at Dean’s Blue Hole. Photo credit: Daan Verhoeven

Nick’s last dive. Dean’s Blue Hole, November 17, 2013. Photo credit: Daan Verhoeven .Nick’s last dive. Dean’s Blue Hole, November 17, 2013. Photo credit: Daan Verhoeven .

Nick’s last dive. Dean’s Blue Hole, November 17, 2013. Photo credit: Daan Verhoeven.

Dr. Mary G. Gilliland (foreground) and competitive freediver and physician Dr. Kerry Hollowell inspect slides of Nick’s lung tissue in Dr. Gilliland’s office in the forensic pathology department at East Carolina University. Photo credit: Lia BarrettDr. Mary G. Gilliland (foreground) and competitive freediver and physician Dr. Kerry Hollowell inspect slides of Nick’s lung tissue in Dr. Gilliland’s office in the forensic pathology department at East Carolina University. Photo credit: Lia Barrett

Dr. Mary G. Gilliland (foreground) and competitive freediver and physician Dr. Kerry Hollowell inspect slides of Nick’s lung tissue in Dr. Gilliland’s office in the forensic pathology department at East Carolina University. Photo credit: Lia Barrett