XANTHEIA PENNISI

Written by: Bree Rizzo

Xantheia Pennisi is a standout athlete in the world of cliff diving, known for pushing past her fears and achieving some crazy things. Originally a gymnast, Xantheia transitioned to high diving in her teens before discovering the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series, which sparked her passion for the sport. Just three months after learning her first high dive, she competed in her first Red Bull event and exceeded her expectations. This moment cemented her belief that she could succeed at the highest level of cliff diving.

Since then, Xantheia has competed in 18 Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series events, earning four podium finishes. Her breakthrough came in 2021 when she placed third as a wildcard, and in 2022, she secured her first permanent World Series ticket. These achievements have established her as one of the top athletes in the sport.

Cliff diving requires incredible mental and physical strength, and Xantheia has mastered both. Despite her natural fear of heights, she has learned to trust her body and face the challenges head-on. "Every time I do it, I still get fear, but I just have to trust my body. Don’t think about anything else, and then I just go,” she says. The highest dive Xantheia has done was from 22.5 meters, equivalent to a seven-story building, and this kind of challenge requires intense focus and resilience.

Xantheia’s training routine includes pilates, tumbling, and weight training, which help her build the strength and flexibility needed to perform high-impact dives at speeds of up to 70km/h.

Xantheia’s journey is about more than just physical accomplishments—it’s also about overcoming mental barriers. “Sometimes your brain is just so negative when you’re having those down days,” she shares. But her perseverance keeps her moving forward, showing that mental strength is just as important as physical ability in extreme sports.

As a role model for young women, Xantheia is driven by the desire to inspire others. “When I was younger, I didn’t really have too many role models that I saw that were these really confident, successful women,” she reflects. Today, she hopes to be that role model, encouraging young girls to break through their own barriers and pursue their passions.

Xantheia’s story is a testament to overcoming fear, persevering through challenges, and achieving greatness—showing that incredible heights can be reached when you  focus on being 1% better every day.