animals, i've never trained animals in my life. >> how do you prepare yourself for an encounter with an 8,000-pound orca? >> i always thought you needed a master's degree in marine biology to be a trainer. >> it takes years of study and experience to meet the strict requirements necessary to interact in the water with shamu. >> come to find out, it really is more about your personality and how good you can swim. >> i went and tried out, got the job right away. i was, like, yeah. i was so excited. so, so excited. >> i really wanted to be there. i really wanted to do the job. i couldn't wait to get in the water with the animals. i really was proud of being a seaworld trainer. i thought this was the most amazing job. >> i showed up there on my first day not really knowing what to expect. i was told to put on a wetsuit and get in the water. >> hi, mom. >> i was scared out of my wits. >> first of all, i put my wetsuit on backwards because i was raised on a farm in virginia. my first thought and memory of that time was that dolphins are