Swimming the English Channel
“Nothing great is easy” – lessons in motivation from an English Channel swimmer Motivation What motivates us to take on a large physical challenge? It probably starts with personal desire, that little voice inside that tells us to try something new, something difficult. Your challenge could be climbing K2, it could be climbing the stairs. It doesn’t matter. The thoughts processes are the same. For me it was to swim the English Channel. I had already swam it twice as part of...
Hair Care Tips For African American Swimmers
click to read Hair Care Tips for African American Swimmers from Swim Strong Foundation
Nothing Great Is Easy
“Nothing great is easy” – lessons in motivation from an English Channel swimmer Fear of failure Hi everyone, this is my third blog about the motivating factors behind my English Channel swim, and in the last ten months I have had the privilege of telling my tale to many interested people. Two of the questions I’m always asked was “what would you have done if you failed” or “did you think about stopping”. (more…)
Swimming the English Channel
“Nothing great is easy” – lessons in motivation from an English Channel swimmer On 25th August 1875, Captain Matthew Webb was the first person to swim the English Channel. Completing the swim he uttered the words “Nothing great is easy”. In July 2014 I swam the English Channel to raise money for two small children’s charities in the UK, Harrison’s Fund and the Demelza House Children’s Hospice. Riding the wave (!) of euphoria that follows such an undertaking, I’ve had many...
Can You Breathe Out Fats?
At times when we exercise our bodies burn fat as fuel as an alternative energy source to our bodies stores of Glycogen (Glucose). When this takes place do you know where all that fat actually goes? If you don’t, you’re not alone. A recent survey conducted by researchers at the University of New South Wales in Australia asked a group of 150 Doctors, Personal Trainers and Dieticians where the fat goes when a person loses weight. The results of that simple...
Whole Foods
The simple definition of Whole Foods is they are food that has not been processed or refined before consumption. The primary benefit of Whole Foods is that they retain important fiber, nutrients, minerals and water that are generally lost within food that has been processed or refined. Many consumers understanding of Whole Foods is that they need to be Organic which is not the case at all. Organic food products are not necessarily always complete whole foods. In general Organic food...
Why Swimming May Be The Best Exercise As You Age
This article by Karen Rowan on zwemza.com is another great example of why swimming is essential as you get older! Falling down and getting hurt is a big problem for older adults, and researchers think that physical activity may lower people’s risk of falls. But now, a new study suggests that the only type of exercise that lowers older adults’ risk of falls is swimming. Researchers in Australia looked at about 1,700 men age 70 and older, and compared the types...
Why Are Swimming Skills So Important?
As we approach the New Year, I am reflecting on the overwhelming number of people I speak to on a daily basis that STILL don’t know how to swim! The American Red Cross conducted a recent survey and discovered that nearly half of American adults can not swim (their definition for the purpose of the survey “adults should be able to float or tread water for about a minute. Then be able to turn yourself so you...