Carlos Pons on Respiralia: Cystic Fibrosis Breakthroughs, Formentera Swim and Life in Mallorca

Carlos Pons, managing director of Respiralia, joins us to share how a Mallorca-based foundation is changing lives for people with cystic fibrosis. We talk about life-extending treatments like Kaftrio, why modern respiratory physiotherapy has moved on from clapping to autogenic drainage, and how strength training is boosting lung capacity. Carlos explains the famous Swimming Tour around Formentera that funds hundreds of treatment sessions each year, and he lifts the lid on their pioneering phage therapy research that targets dangerous bacteria without antibiotics. He also reflects on life in Mallorca, housing pressures, and his own journey from Spanish Air Force search and rescue pilot to charity leader. If you care about science, community and real Mallorca stories, this one is for you.

Listen now and find links to Respiralia, the Swimming Tour and how to support their work in the show notes.

https://www.respiralia.org/

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00:00 Who is Carlos Pons and what Respiralia does

07:30 Kaftrio and how it changes day to day life for patients

12:00 Screening at birth in the Balearics and early intervention

16:40 From clapping to autogenic drainage

20:30 Why strength training improves lung capacity

24:30 Incidence in the Balearics and what daily management looks like

30:40 The Swimming Tour around Formentera and how it funds treatment sessions

37:30 How to get a place, timing, and the Respiralia spirit

42:00 Palma fun run and inclusive community events

46:00 Carlos’ SAR pilot years and the leap into the third sector

52:00 Phage therapy research to target bacteria without antibiotics

59:30 Regulation, funding, and why they seek grants over investors

1:06:00 Community projects, forests in the Serra de Tramuntana, and support for Ukrainian families

1:12:00 Housing pressures, legal insecurity in rentals, and balanced debate

1:18:00 The future for people with cystic fibrosis and why outlooks have changed