Lindsey Swims with Sharks Blue Peter Bite

This is Blue Peter...but mini.

Expect epic adventures, makes, bakes, badges, pets,

presenters and your post.

We've only got five minutes, so get ready for your Blue Peter adventure.

In my time on Blue Peter, I've tackled some epic challenges.

I've pushed myself to the limit physically and mentally.

But there's always been one thing that I said I would never, ever do.

I'm going to try and conquer my biggest fear -

sharks.

I've been asked to help clean

the shark tanks at the Blue Planet Aquarium,

and that's going to involve getting in the water,

with the thing I'm most scared of.

So, ever since I can remember,

I have been terrified of big fish, like sharks,

and I know for a lot of people this would be quite a fun,

easy challenge and something they'd look forward to.

But, for me, this is my worst nightmare.

But to beat my fear, first I need to understand it,

so I've come to meet fear expert, Dr Warren Mansell.

So I understand you're coming to see me

-to talk about your fear of sharks?

-Yes.

My biggest fear of sharks is the idea of seeing a shark

coming at my face, like, swimming at me. That gives me anxiety.

Would you be able to look at some pictures of sharks now?

Until now, I've found it hard to even look at sharks.

So, Warren shows me pictures of them to help me get used to it.

-Go on, just speak your mind.

-That is really scary. That's like a...

Sea Dinosaur.

For me, that was really hard. But the work doesn't end there.

This challenge is only just beginning.

It's the morning of my dive and I am so tense.

It's time for me to meet the guys I'll be sharing a tank with.

There's a shark looking directly at me.

I honestly thought these sharks would just be in the distance

somewhere doing their thing,

and they are right up in my face looking at me.

I really am going to be amongst them.

Oh, my gosh, it's turning to look at me!

SHE LAUGHS

I'm not going to look at it.

For most people, looking at a shark in a tank is a fun day out.

But for me, it's my worst nightmare.

Oh, no, sorry, actually my WORST nightmare would be

swimming with them.

As I get ready, all my instincts are saying, "Do not do this, Lindsey!"

Thankfully, Dr Warren is here to help calm my nerves.

Looking out over the tank, what are your thoughts?

For me, the hardest part is going to be the moment

I get in that water and see a shark for the first time.

I don't know if I can face a shark, as it were.

-Anything else that's going to feel comforting when you're in there?

-No.

-I've just got to do it now, haven't I?

-I think that's right.

-Thank you.

-I'll see you on the other side.

-OK.

The moment has arrived.

I'm genuinely terrified.

I'm shaking. I'm nervous.

The real fear is a shark coming at me, head on.

And I think that is definitely going to happen today.

Even with Sophie and the rest of the team here to guide me,

the last thing I want to do is get in this water.

UNDERWATER BREATHING

But, I've got a job to do. Come on, Linz, you can do this! Just breathe.

Sophie wants me to stay calm and I'm trying to remember the advice

I was given by Dr Warren.

But all I can think about is where the sharks are,

and it doesn't take long to find out.

Seeing a shark up close like this is so overwhelming.

They feel HUGE and I feel terrified.

The sharks are drawn to us being in the tank

and suddenly we're surrounded.

All along, my biggest fear has been a shark swimming directly

towards me and THEN this happens...

My heart is pounding.

HEARTBEATS

My worst nightmare just swam centimetres from my face.

And then it dawns on me...

I'm fine! This is actually quite fun.

Oh, my goodness, oh, my goodness, oh, my goodness!

This challenge has been so hard for me.

And I'm so proud I've overcome my biggest fear.

I just hope I've inspired you guys to do the same.

I actually can't believe I've done that, I feel quite emotional.

Because... Erm...

I was really, really scared to - I don't know why I'm crying -

I was really, really scared to go down and do that today.

And actually the imagination of doing it wasn't

half as bad as going down and giving it a try.

And I'd go as far as saying I actually quite enjoyed it.

-Would you do it again, though?

-No, I wouldn't do it again.

Join in every Thursday on CBBC.