The fearless 60-year-old marathon swimmer, her devoted coach, and the impossible swim from Cuba to Florida — The swim I want to do is 60 hours. That’s Cuba to Florida. And it’s outrageous and it’s overambitious, but I think I can make it. And that’s my last swim. — Diane Nyad, (professional marathon swimmer, age 28 years old, 1978) After a year of training, Diane Nyad attempted…

How underdogs chase progress, not perfection — “Are you just learning to swim?” That’s what a stranger asked me while I was joyfully swimming in the Pacific Ocean. I laughed and replied. “Oh — am I that bad?” I told him I’d been practicing open water swimming regularly for the past two years and I was surprised…

The power of counting to ten and living the dream — “The swim will be a nightmare,” I whispered. Me and a slew of bodies splashing in the rocky waves in skin-numbing temperature. I was hyped up on nerves and adrenaline on Race Day — but I had zero sleep the night before. One hundred nineteen women of different ages and…

The Journey of a Mermaid — My swim technique is based on my “terrified of drowning” 10-year-old self — the girl who hated swim lessons, the deep end, and gasped for breath in the shallow end with fingers clenched to the edge. I could barely do the doggy paddle and a weak frantic front crawl, but…

November Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Happiness” — Make the time. Make it happen. We’re open for submissions and invite you to submit to the current November Challenge “Happiness” this month, led by the vibrant Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles. Can you tell a story in six words encompassing “Happiness” inspired by a photo taken by yourself? Deadline is NOON, Thursday, November 30, 2023, Pacific…

November Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Happiness” — Can’t get much better than that! We’re open for submissions and invite you to submit to the current November Challenge “Happiness” this month, led by the vibrant Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles. Can you tell a story in six words encompassing “Happiness” inspired by a photo taken by yourself? Deadline is NOON, Thursday, November 30, 2023, Pacific…

Fitness Bit #49 | Do you have what it takes? — I wrote this quote when I entered the 2020 Ms. Health and Fitness Competition and posted it on my Instagram account. It was a chance to win $20k and be featured on the cover of the magazine. It may not seem like it through my fitness stories and photographs, but…

Fitness Bit #48 | A Six Word Photo Story: Freestyle — Everything looks rosy behind my goggles. Whenever I need a boost of energy, or if I’m feeling blue, I head out to the ocean and go for a swim. The moment I immerse my head and look underwater — my mood shifts. Even if the water is unclear, it clears my head. My mind is no…

November Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Happiness” — Sometimes, ending relationships can spark happiness. Inspired by Love on the Rocks by Neil Diamond. Breaking up causes heartache, but sometimes, within the midst of darkness, we stumble upon light in unexpected places. We’re open for submissions and invite you to submit to the current November Challenge “Happiness” this month, led by the vibrant Vidya Sury…