I’m Mermaid Chelsea.
I was born and raised in the mountains of Colorado. Definitely NOT close to the ocean, I grew up living in the woods, surrounded by nature, swimming in freezing rivers and lakes, scrambling up jagged rock faces, hiking to the top of the world and feeling the crisp wind in my hair as I sped down the ski hills. I was raised to respect and enjoy life.
I was always the “outside kid.” The kid you couldn't pull out of the water at the end of the day. The kid pretending NOT to be sick so she could stay outside a little longer. As I grew up I became the “adventure girl.” The girl getting lost because she followed her curiosity off the beaten path. The girl the SCUBA instructors had to escort because she kept swimming off. The girl who was up for anything.
I am still that girl. The only difference is now I am an adult, and have the freedom to do all of these things without worrying my parents! Actually….they still worry about me…
My life has brought me some amazing gifts. I got to grow up with a fun, adventurous family who introduced me to travel and unconventional sports like water skiing, diving and rock climbing. I was able to go to college for Theatre. Studying to become an actor prepared me for so much more than the stage. It helped me become ME. Outgoing, confident, comfortable, flexible, brave, humble and really good at faking it til I make it.
Most importantly, theatre brought the best people into my life. Something you should know about me is that the people in my life are the absolute BEST of humanity and the most important thing in the world to me. I don’t have many fears in life, but losing them is at the top of that list.
After college I decided to go back to school to study Sign Language, and became an Interpreter.
I’ve held many jobs in my life. I lifeguarded for what seems like forever, I taught swimming, yoga and dance, I waited tables, I worked retail, I volunteered, worked with kids, at aquariums…..the list seems like it goes on forever. But my heart was always being pulled in two places: up into space or down toward the sea. I just wasn't meant for land.
The interesting thing about space and the sea is that they are connected by force. You cannot learn about the moon without hearing about the oceans, and you cannot learn about the tides without mention of the moon.
I am, sadly, not a scientist. I am not some great expert in the ways of conservation. I am a student of life and have a fierce curiosity and need for knowledge.
I found Mermaiding during the COVID pandemic in 2020. That discovery changed everything. It allowed me to enter into the world of magic and conservation. Mermaids have such a powerful presence on this world, and with a little whimsy, can help guide us all to a better way of living. My journey is not over, it’s just beginning!