Hello, my name is Phoebe Sharp, I am a Marine Biology Graduate and (not self-proclaimed) PADI divemaster.

I have always had a profound appreciation for the ocean and all the life forms it supports. I remember when I was little, we had a small fish tank in our kitchen, rich with marine life. From Tetras to Siamese Fighting Fish and an abundance of sea snails, I was utterly engrossed in it. I spent hours sitting in front of the tank watching how fish interacted with each other and their environment. This marked the beginning of my enduring fascination with the ocean and my desire to learn everything about it. During school, this obsession grew, leading me to the realisation that I wanted to become a marine biologist. Or to put it bluntly: spend my life frolicking in the ocean playing with sharks.

After graduating from the University of Exeter with a degree in marine biology and an unforgettable experience on our Galapagos field trip, I set out to travel the world and gain hands-on experience in marine biology. In August 2024, I flew to Koh Tao to complete my PADI Divemaster course, with the hope of becoming a more employable individual. This experience was life-changing. I met some incredible people, swam with a whale shark and left with a newfound love for scuba diving, a soggy wetsuit and a brand-new pair of fins. After Thailand, I backpacked Australia’s East Coast, from Sydney to Cairns and back. I tried everything from skydiving to 4-wheel driving and finally got to put my fins to good use whilst diving the Great Barrier Reef. During a visit to the Australian zoo, I was inspired by the iconic Irwin family, and something in myself felt missing… I realised I missed learning. I missed diving deep into ocean science, and I realised that not everyone is as fortunate as I was to have recently gained these experiences.

So I created Radical, a blog to channel my chaotic energy, sarcasm and borderline shark obsession into something meaningful. I’m here to share my thoughts on marine issues, such as shark finning and coral bleaching, in a fun and engaging way, and convince my dad to stop nagging me about swimming with sharks! I’m also here to offer advice on diving, debunk marine-related trends, and share the fundamental ways you can help protect our oceans. If it’s salty or slightly unhinged, it belongs here.