Colin Nagy is Diving His Way Around the World
The ‘Why is this interesting?’ co-founder chats about his unique Substack POV and diving in Palau.
Though there are infinite types of Hobbyists, there are two versions of these pioneering spirits I tend to interview most often. The former are people that have turned hobbies and passions into careers—musicians, designers, hell, even professional athletes. Through intense drive, an obsessive focus, and the perfect blend of luck and skill, these Hobbyists have managed to make the thing they love the thing they do every day. An incredibly rare gift. The latter, though, are even more interesting. The true sickos, doing the damn thing for the love of the game. Colin Nagy falls into this camp, though like all true Hobbyists, the defining borders of his interests are artfully tied into the many aspects of his career.
Nagy is a strategist for Instagram and Threads, which, while cool, is the least interesting thing about him. The LA-based former journalist is the co-founder of Why is this interesting? an OG Substack that teaches people about all the cool stuff in the world and why that cool stuff is, in fact, cool. Nagy’s an excellent writer, editor, and curator, but his best quality is his creative eye, identifying talents and stories that are unique to the WITI? world.
Even more neat than this side hustle career that he’s built, though, is Nagy’s passion for diving. He first learned to dive in Palau (GOATED, I am told), and has since become certified as a PADI master diver. When he travels (which is a lot), diving has become a significant factor in where he goes. His voice lights up just a bit when he talks about cold water diving or his first adventures in Palau. He’s, in short, a preeminent Hobbyist. Read our conversation below.
