An Open Water Swimmer's Podcast

Thank you to all my guests for Season 5... what a magical season it was.If you are planning an Open Water swim: whether it is the English Channel or perhaps your first 5km lake swim, please get in touch as would love to work with you. Please visit owswimpod.com for all the coaching packages I am offering, and a way to contact me.Until the next time: Happy Swimming!

(Available to subscribers only, episode free to play 4th April)My final guest for the season is an astonishing endurance athlete and swimmer. He has rowed across the Indian Ocean; and then decided quite casually to swim the Ocean 7, completing all seven swims from 2012 to 2018… Since then he has pioneered some ridiculous swims: including, in 2018 swimming a 90km circumnavigation around Barbados in 40 hours 46 minutes; and in 2019 he swam the 150km from Barbados to St. Lucia, a swim that took him just under 57 hours. Most recently he swam a 53 km crossing of Lake Issyk Kul in Kyrgyzstan in 18 hours 18 minutes, raising money for his own charity to support 15 rural schools in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. I so enjoyed this chat, it was so inspiring: I think you'll be amazed at his temperament - oh and don't miss the part about being stung by box jellyfish… it's the legendary Cameron Bellamy.Kyrgyzstan Swim (YouTube):https://youtu.be/tz0Irv5QJQ0?si=9mkMEgeBTByIpz20The Ubunye Challenge (YouTube):https://youtu.be/Th7b1KglbrY?si=Fix-R_GocThvpwY7

(Episode available to subscribers only. Free to play at end of Season 5.)I chatted to this extraordinary swimmer back in 2024, after she had swam the 70km of Lake Geneva: breaking the British Record at the time. We also crewed together for Andrew Cornish's Lake Geneva swim in September 2025 (Episode 6 of Season 5) and having her experience, nous and professionalism on the boat made all the difference to keeping Andy in the water. She has swam some superb swims as well, including The English Channel, Guernsey to France, Lake Windermere, SCAR and most recently Loch Ness… It's of course Amy Ennion!

(Available to subscribers only, episode free to play 21st March)Today's guest is a phenomenal swimmer, who relishes the cold: she has completed the British Triple Crown, the English Channel, Bristol Channel and the gnarly North Channel: which she swam after being blown out for a year, only to break a record and become the earliest female, swimming that stretch of water in just under 19 hours in 12 degrees of water. An incredible swim. She has swam three ice miles, and also completed the chilly Loch Ness in 18 hours… it's Dr Jo Stokoe!

(Available to subscribers only, episode free to play 28th March)This guest is an incredible Para Swimmer… Ros Hardiman has spent most of her adult life in a wheelchair, having contracted Polio at age 6. She represented GB at 2 Paralympic Games and broke 8 Paralympic world records in the S7 and SB6 categories. She is an inductee into the marathon swimming hall of fame, class of 2024: having swam The English Channel in 2009 in just over 20 hours; and it is also with noting that the year prior to that in 2008, she agonisingly fell 700m short of the French coast after being in the water for over 24 hours. For that swim she was awarded the Frank Richards Endurance Award, for the most meritorious, often unsuccessful, endurance swim of the year across the English Channel… She has swam Lake Windermere (both directions), and in 2019 she crossed Loch Ness from south to north in 20 hours 10 minutes becoming both the oldest British women to swim it at the age of 67, and also as the first disabled swimmer… it was an absolute joy to chat to Ros Hardiman.

(Available to subscribers only until the end of Season 5)This guest is a fellow podcaster, and marathon swimmer who has been undertaking some extremely long challenges… we chat about hallucinating on a 29 hour swim, optimising efficiency as a swimmer to mitigate volume, letting go of the idea of a secret key to completing a long swim, what swimming means to you as you get older and the mental gymnastics of planning bonkers swims. It's Shannon Keegan!

(Available to subscribers, episode free to play 14th March)This episode is with Francesco Cavliere, he is an Italian marathon swimmer, who swims totally self supported and his approach to swimming is often referred to as "Swim & Explore”. Francesco likes to emphasise the environmental and historical context of the places he swims, treating swimming as a means of discovery rather than just a sport… he runs swimming excursions throughout the Mediterranean and he has designed his own fibre glass tow boats - called “barquinos” that obviously carry all his gear. He has swam the coastlines of all 44 of the Italian islands in an epic 13 year feat… and needless to say he has endless stories to tell about the beautiful Mediterranean. I am just sad we couldn't get more into the episode… I hope you enjoy!

(Subscribers only from 28th Feb, free to play 7th March)I have been wanting to get Brenton on the podcast for some time - I am a big fan of his YouTube channel “Effortless Swimming” and he pops up very regularly across social media showing off his coaching talents. He very nearly made Olympic trials as a swimmer - as an Australian, a huge achievement, where competition is more than fierce; and not that long ago swam the 20km of the famous Rottnest swim… He is a National Masters Record Holder and was Australian National Masters Coach of the Year in 2012. He is now a full time coach, running clinics, camps and a masters group, and his story is about staying in something you love, helping others achieve their goals; how difficult it is to heed your own advice as a coach, and building a brand and business around our sport. Brenton Ford!

(Available to Subscribers only until end of Season 5).I chatted to Colin a while ago in 2022, a man who lives right on the water at Ullswater Lake and also teaches there at his endless pool… He is no stranger to long mileage, clocking up some ridiculous distances, including a 200km a month, and not long ago hit a 100km week. In 2025 he swam the Cook Straight and also the 28 miles of The 20 Bridges of Manhattan, and is an International Marathon Swimming & Ice Swimming Hall of Fame Inductee. You may find him working for FINA at the elite events and if you frequent any of the Lake District Lakes, you may find him in the water with you, as the man loves nothing more than training: It's Colin Hill…

(Subscribers Only. Free to play at end of Season 5).I chatted to Neil a few years ago after he had completed his World Record Lake Geneva swim, a swim he completed in 22 hours and 9 minutes. Staggeringly fast for a 70km lake swim… this was also his second attempt, having swam himself unconscious the previous year due to the unpredictable temperatures one can face in the lake. Since then he has gone on to try and complete the ten largest lakes in Switzerland, raising money for the children's charity PANDAS, a task he is currently in the middle of having started last summer. And in fact if all goes to plan, he will finish his final lake - returning again to Lake Geneva (or Lac Leman, as it is more commonly known in Europe) in late summer this year. Bonkers stuff… Neil Gilson everyone.

Available to subscribers only until 28th February.In 2024 Vassos Alexander set his sights on swimming the English Channel. Not one to shy away from a challenge - being an ultra distance runner, he gave himself a matter of months to prepare… he also decided to write a book - journalling his training for the channel and his love and passion for open water swimming. Vassos didn't quite make the start line on Shakespeare beach - becoming one of 2024's delayed successes - however, his book is an ode to his delight and and love of all things open water. Of course, his successful day in the English Channel will come in the coming years and I was fortunate enough to get to chat to him in 2025, when his book had been published and he was reflecting on the both the previous years training and the community he threw himself into… such a delight to chat to: Vassos Alexander.

(Available to subscribers only from 14th Feb. Episode free to play 21st Feb).This episode is sort of the second part to episode 6, the chat with Andy Cornish, as on the same day and exactly the same time, Dani Wallwork set off to also complete the 70km of Lake Geneva. Both swimmers went through some of the most apocryphal conditions I have ever seen at night, and, like Andy, Dani called time on her swim at approximately 17 hours and roughly 55km in. Dani is no stranger to lake swimming, holding the world record for the fastest one way, two way and three way Windermere swim in a wetsuit. She has also completed Lake Zurich, and is fair to say is a rapid swimmer… I loved this episode as although I wasn't on her boat for her Lake Geneva attempt, I was of course on the water at the same time, so I saw first hand the conditions she had to battle through. I hope you enjoy listening to Dani Wallwork!

Available to subscribers only until end of Season 5 (March 2026).This guest came on the podcast originally way back in 2023… he has swam the English Channel three times and has now taken to completing many more lake swims to add to his enormous swimming CV. Notably he was the first British person to swim the 70km of Lake Geneva and has since gone on to complete Lake Taupo, Lake Zurich and many more with his sights on further lakes soon… He also arranges the international Steve Wand memorial swims every year where around 100 swimmers congregate over a weekend for two days of 100x100 in memory of Steve who lost his life in 2016. It is Mark Sheridan….

(Episode free to play 14th Feb) This week's guest is a Channel Swimmer, having also swam the 20 bridges of Manhattan, and Gibraltar - with The Cook Straight on his swim calendar any day now… Some big swims under his belt, and he isn't done yet. He has also forged ahead with a new business that reflects his passion for the water, namely Wildpool Shoes. If you haven't checked them out, they are well worth a gander for any water lover. We chat about the addictiveness of swimming and trying to combine a business to the hobby we all love and want to do more of… it's Sami Robertson.

Available to subscribers only until end of Season 5 (March 2026).I have the nicest World Record Holder back on the podcast, he's an astonishing swimmer: swimming faster than most can only dream; but has also become a global ambassador for our sport, championing change in our oceans and doing all he can to remain as front facing as possible. He completed the Ocean Seven in 2023 when he became the first person in history to achieve the Oceans Seven within a calendar year, and he also holds the record for the fastest cumulative time.… among his number of swimming achievements since the O7 include a record breaking Round Manhattan Swim and he's gone on to swim around Ibiza in a two person relay with Nathalie Phol, braking another record in the process. It's of course the wonderful Andy Donaldson.

(Available 31st January to subscribers. Episode free to play Saturday 7th February)I've been looking forward to this episode for some time… in July 2025, Andy Cornish swam the 33km of the English Channel. He had been blown out in 2024 rather frustratingly, due to an unlucky combination of weather, pilots retiring and boat malfunctions... He also had booked to swim the 70km of Lake Geneva in 2025: So two huge swims ended up being booked for the same year. I was lucky enough to crew for him on his Lake Geneva undertaking which was an breathtaking experience for everyone involved. Andy hit the most ferocious storm during the night on his 70km attempt which very nearly derailed the entire event: almost zero visibility, lightening, torrential rain and a fierce wind that whipped the lake up into a maelstrom for about seven hours… Andy managed to stick out the storm (and the night) and continue to swim non stop for exactly 24 hours, albeit through very gritted teeth, and landed at Meillerie, just shy of the finish. He had his swim ratified at an amazing 51km and he joined the 24hour club in the process. This is an amazing story of stop start - being on the so-called "Dovercoaster" - and also being content and satiated with the day that mother nature can give you, knowing you gave your all on such a massive lake… I recorded some voice notes throughout the day a few of which I play to Andy on the podcast for the first time… if you listen carefully you can hear him swimming in the back ground… Andrew Cornish everyone!

This lady needs no introduction, having been crowned the greatest competitive open water swimmer of all time. She won three Olympic medals, Gold at Tokyo 2016, Silver at Rio 2020 and then Gold in her final Olympics in that famous 10km in Paris 2024, where the course was challenging to say the least. On top of that she is a double World Champion in the 10km, and has won more medals in the pool and other Open Water distances. She really is the GOAT, and it was my privilege to be able to bring this chat to you… it's Sharon van Rouwendaal…!

Episode free to play at the end of Season 5 (March 2026)This bonus episode is with the "Swim Smooth" founder and all round swimmer and international coach Paul Newsome. He came onto the podcast 5 years ago and a lot has changed since then with the launch of his swim smooth guru app; designed for swimmers to create their own training plans and it also gives live feedback on your stroke… and he is just happens to be in the best swim shape of his life. He recently completed a gruelling 16km degree swim in 30 degree water (his son periodically pouring iced water on his head) and is about to embark on another Rottnest swim, although this time as a relay. He continually champions our sport across the world and it was a delight as ever to have him on. Enjoy!

(Episode free to play 24th January)Today's guest is a remarkable athlete: he completed the Ocean's Seven in 2019 in a then world record time, and along the way suffered multiple visits to hospital, having been pulled unconscious out of the water twice on the odd delayed success; thanks largely to the tricky and unpredictable waters of the North Channel were he had asphyxia due to jellyfish stings, a collapsed lung and hypothermia. On separate occasions… He swam on the FINA world cup circuit, representing his native Hungary, and among his high number of other very long swims include completing an incredible 80 km crossing of Lake Balaton in 25 hours 32 minutes to join the 24-Hour Club, back in 2008. This man is a machine and an unbelievable swimmer… it's Attila Manyoki!

Episode free to play at end of Season 5 (March 2026).We have another brilliant former guest on today who is rewriting the record books. He is only 18 and has completed the English Channel, Catalina, and a few years ago became the first male to swim the double North Channel. He is an astonishing swimmer who this year completed the first double Irish Triple Crown (double North Channel, double Galway Bay and a Triple Fastnet; It's of course one of Sandy Cove's favourite resident swimmers, Brian Foster.

Available to subscribers 10th January, episode free to play 17th January.Having come to swimming later in life my guest this week is a former top level rower turned Channel Swimmer… she is someone who consistently trains to such high level, churning out very impressive mileage extremely consistently. She swam the English Channel on her second attempt - having had a bizarre delayed success on her first; her determination and grit was wonderful to see. Among her other swims are Old Harry to the Needles, Windermere and Jersey to France… with other swims planned for the foreseeable future. It's Julia Maguire...

Available 3rd January to subscribers. Episode will be free to play 10th JanuaryMy guest for Episode 2 is an Australian Paralympian, having represented his country as a runner at three Paralympic Games, before transitioning to triathlon in 2022 at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham… being totally blind from birth, he is an extraordinary athlete who has not only climbed Mt Everest to 8,300m, has competed on Dancing with the Stars, and has now taken to marathon swimming. In 2025 he completed the 48km 20 Bridges Round Manhattan swim in 9 hours and 8 minutes and later that same year he wanted to become the first totally blind person to complete the English Channel, having attempted it in 2024… this is the extraordinary (I say that a lot in this episode) Gerrard Gosens.

Episode free to play at the end of Season 5 (March 2026)This lady needs no introduction having swam the only quadruple English Channel and she was the first person to swim a double North Channel. She recently completed within a fortnight, a triple lake challenge swimming the 65km of Lake Constance, the 37km of Lake Zurich and topping the two weeks off with a 70km Lake Geneva swim. Amazing stuff: it is of course the legendary Sarah Thomas.

Available 27th December to subscribers. Episode will be free to play Saturday 3rd January.This first Episode of Season 5 is with a World Record holder who swam the 70km of Lake Geneva in 2024 in a staggering 22 hours and 48 mins... becoming the fastest female ever to do so. Among her other swims are some pretty fast crossings of Lake Windermere and a double crossing of Lake Bala, and she has even ticked off the Scottish Triple Crown in Loch Awe, Loch Ness and Loch Lomond. It's the fabulous Sam Farrow.

Update on Season 5 and the bonus material that will be on offer for subscribers... very excited to share all the episodes with you all.

This second bonus episode is with the legendary Ger Kennedy. Ger was the overall captain and organiser of this mad and beautiful idea to put two five person relay teams together to swim the English Channel on a very cold winter day in January 2024. With the sea temperature around 7 degrees and air temp around 2 degrees, both teams set of in earnest, having done weeks of cold water preparation... I loved this chat as it is about ten people pushing the envelope of what is possible in winter swimming. Enjoy!!

In January of 2024 two teams of five swimmers set off to become the first winter relays to swim the English Channel. With the air temperature at 2 degrees and the water around 7 degrees, the men's team were successful in 14 hours and 45 minutes. Each team member swimming at least three one hour rotations in just their trunks, goggles and swim hat, as per EC Swimming rules. Sadly, the women's team had to abort due to a boat malfunction: that being said, while the boat was stationary and the crew were attempting to remove the issue, the women's team had to tread water alongside the bobbing vessel: again as per the hourly swim rotation rules. This event was some of the most extreme cold water swimming I have ever seen, and I was lucky enough to chat to two of the men's team... this episode is with one of the most humble swimmers you are ever likely to meet: Lee Johnson.

The final episode of Season Four is with a young man who has written himself firmly into the record books. Brian Foster, the 16 year old who in 2024 became the first man (second person) to swim the North Channel Double and also becoming then youngest ever soloist in the process. His double took him a remarkable 24 hours and 50 minutes... He also swam the English Channel and Catalina in preparation for this remarkable achievement. We chat all things Sandy Cove, swimming proper sets in the sea all year round and generally what makes this young man so special.Season 4 is in collaboration with Ocean Lube, the ocean-friendly anti-chafing skin cream that saves your skin and protects our oceans.

Today's guest is with a former Team GB elite athlete, who was originally a 400 IM swimmer, turned 10km OW swimmer. She talks very openly and candidly about her struggles with competing at the highest level of the sport, recovering form injury and also an eating disorder which very nearly took her out of the sport altogether. Once she had hung up her goggles from the sport, she decided to swim the English Channel, after also completing the Straights of Gibraltar swim. As you do. This is a wonderful chat and it was my honour to speak to Amber Keegan…Season 4 is in collaboration with Ocean Lube the anti-chafing skin cream that protects your skin and saves our oceans.

Episode ten of An Open Water Swimmer's Podcast, is with Paul de Waard. Originally from the Netherlands, he now resides in a corner of Ireland where very cold open water swimming is the norm for a large community of swimmers. Sandy Cove has become synonymous with a hardcore group of Irish swimmers, who train throughout the year - swimming lap after lap (one lap is roughly a mile). A former competitive swimmer, he has completed the gnarly 34.5km North Channel - battling yet more cold and the infamous Lionsmane Jellyfish along the way. But perhaps most inspiring is what led him to this corner of the globe after heroically trying to help a person in distress… and recovering from the ensuing gunshot wound. Season four is in collaboration with Ocean Lube the ocean-friendly anti-chafing skin cream that saves your skin and protects our oceans.

Episode 9 of Season 4 is with Halani Moss-Vete who is originally from Hawaii, and swam the English Channel in 2022. Her home waters were calling for her and she swam the 26 miles of the Molokai Channel in 2024; battling currents and jellyfish along the way in a staggering 29 hour swim. The currents themselves, while a huge obstacle, actually made her land somewhere special at the end of the swim, in familiar waters... it was like the ocean knew as you'll find out in the podcast. Season 4 is in collaboration with Ocean Lube the ocean-friendly anti-chafing skin cream that protects your skin and saves our oceans.

Episode 8 with the extraordinary Jonty Warneken. Jonty beautifully takes us through his journey as a Para-marathon Swimmer and Ice Swimmer. Dubbed "the first disabled Ice Miler", Jonty has completed some incredible swims including the 65km Round Jersey Swim, Windermere Solo and the first disabled relay to team to swim the North Channel. Jonty is a Guinness World Record holder for Para distance Ice Swimming and is a Vice President of IISA and global board member. He is Co Chair of the Ice Swimming Hall of Fame. It was such a pleasure to chat to him. Season 4 is in collaboration with Ocean Lube the ocean-friendly anti-chafing skin cream that protects your skin and saves our oceans.

Episode 7 is with the lovely Emma France. Emma runs the famous DCT group and has been instrumental in helping heaps of swimmers achieve their goals of swimming The English Channel. An Accomplished swimmer herself with three solos and twenty EC relays shew knows her onions... Was a pleasure chatting to someone with such a wealth of experience to share. Season 4 is in collaboration with Ocean Lube, the Ocean friendly anti-chafing skin cream that saves your skin and protects our oceans.

The legendary Phillip Rush joins me for episode six... He had an illustrious career as an elite athlete and in 1987 he famously swam a three way of the English Channel: on that swim he broke 5 world records. He still holds the fastest two and three way crossings; his two way was a staggering 16hrs and 10mins (7.55 / 8.15) and his three way was 28hrs and 21mins. He now coaches and mentors many a marathon swimmer in his native New Zealand.

Episode 5 of Season 4 is with the amazing Amy Ennion. Among her achievements are Lake Geneva (28 hours), the English Channel, Guernsey to France (becoming the first person to ever swim that route) and she is not done yet with more swims planned for 2025. We chat about training, mind-set and the importance of keeping the fun in swimming. Season 4 is in collaboration wit Ocean Lube the ocean-friendly anti-chafing skin cream that protects your skin and saves our oceans...

Episode 4 of is with the one and only Neil Gilson: fresh from his record breaking 72km Lake Geneva swim, which he swam in a staggering 22hrs and 9mins. We chat about how he trained for such a long and fast swim, and how his delayed success on that swim got him over the finish line. eason 4 is in collaboration with Ocean Lube the ocean-friendly anti-chafing skin cream that protects your skin and saves our oceans.

Episode three of the podcast is with the youngest ever English Channel Swimmer, who swam the Channel in 1988 aged 11. A record he will have ad infinitum as the rules now stipulate that a swimmer must be over sixteen years old... His story is immortalised in his book "Boy in the Water", an incredibly moving coming-of-age story about his relationship with his coach and how he prepared for this swim so young. This was such a delight to record: a wonderful chat... enjoy. Season 4 is in collaboration with Ocean Lube the ocean-friendly anti-chafing skin cream that protects your skin and saves our oceans...

Episode 2 of Season 4 is with a remarkable Australian swimmer, who in 2024 became the first person to swim the 77km from Italy to Albania, crossing that channel in a staggering 33 hours. She also became took the mantle of "earliest female Channel Swimmer" in the same year, making the crossing in early June, on D Day, in fact, in some very chilly water... Hope you enjoy. Season 4 is in collaboration wit Ocean Lube the ocean-friendly anti-chafing skin cream that protects your skin and saves our oceans...

Excited to bring you the opening episode of Season 4 with Team GB's Hector Pardoe, fresh from his fantastic sixth place in THAT 10km swim... we chat about training and what it's like being at the sharp end of the sport. He's a remarkable athlete with a very bright future ahead of him. I hope you enjoy. Season 4 is in collaboration wit Ocean Lube the ocean-friendly anti-chafing skin cream that protects your skin and saves our oceans...

Bonus Episode! Sarah Thomas came to Sea Lanes in July 2024 for an interview in front of a live audience, hosted by me. It was such an honour to be able to speak to her face to face and hear first-hand her story and her recent epic swim around Maui... Apologies for the sound during the interview, I think you'll forgive me as it's a really great chat. I had the microphone placed next to a speaker and it's ever so slightly distorted. Happy Swimming and enjoy!

The final episode of Season 3 is with the Triple Crown and Original Triple Crown Swimmer, Martyn Webster. Martyn has completed numerous marathon swims over his illustrious time in the sport and is someone I am about to share a swimming holiday with in a matter of weeks... It was great to close the season chatting to someone who knows so much and had a plethora of knowledge to impart! Enjoy!

Today's guest is one of the nicest guys you are ever likely to come across in the world of Marathon Swimming… a former top elite swimmer who ended up taking a little time away form the sport entirely; when he returned he embarked on his marathon swimming journey - he won the famous 25km Rottnest Swim in Australia, and then decided that he would aim to complete the famous Ocean 7 in one calendar year… for those who might not know, the Ocean7 is a set of seven ultra marathon swims across the globe, which are The English Channel, The North Channel, Gibraltar Strait, Catalina Channel, Molokai Channel, Cook Strait and the Tsugaru Strait … they vary from 44km to 16km in distance and really only a handful of people have completed all seven (21 so far, as of March 2023). He broke the British Record with his English Channel swim last year in 8 hours and very recently broke the World Record for the 26km Cook Strait in a staggering 4 hours 33mins… I was thrilled to welcome to the podcast Andy Donaldson…

I have been wanting to record today's guest for quite some time… about 18 months ago I developed a shoulder issue outside of the pool which prevented me from swimming. Having never had any issues with my shoulders before in the pool and also having booked Jersey Solo and English Channel Swim attempts, I needed to fix it properly. I found a place many a Sussex-based swimmer has found solace before and he is a bit of local legend in getting broken swimmers back into the water. He is himself a swimmer and surfer and of course an Osteopath and Physiotherapist… It was terrific to welcome to the podcast Mark Andrews! Happy Swimming!

My guest today is a former elite swimmer - having held Danish and Nordic Records in the pool and representing Denmark at various European and World championships over the years; but you may know him more from a new brand of goggle that is being seen more and more on pool-side: he launched The Magic 5 with his business partner a few years ago and they are going from strength to strength - a custom bespoke moulded goggle that fits your face and your face alone. It was my pleasure to welcome to the podcast and hear his swim story: Niklas Hedegaard… Happy Swimming!!

Episode 8 is with the super human Kate Steels. Kate is widely regarded as one of the toughest and most skilled side swimmers on the planet. She was the third person to complete the Ice Seven (an ice mile on all seven continents); she is also a Triple Crown Swimmer and was WOWSA Woman of the Year 2021, and nominated again in 2022... Kate has overcome a number of devastating significant challenges in her life and yet continues to be a trailblazer in the sport. It was a real privilege to have her own the show. I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did. Happy Swimming!

I loved talking to today's guest - she is an author, editor and podcaster. She co-hosts the "Postcards From Midlife" podcast and her first book 'Mum what's wrong with you: 101 things only the mothers of teenage girls know" was a Sunday Times top 10 best seller. She is a former editor of Cosmo, ELLE and Sunday Times Style and a mum of four children aged 10 to 19. She is currently writing a new book about the experiences of women in midlife… and she is an avid swimmer and cold water dipper; and as you'll see, uses the water as part of her mental health tool-kit. It was a great privilege to chat to Lorraine Candy. Enjoy!

Today's guest is a bit of a legend in the English Channel Swimming Community. A runner, who still professes that he isn't a swimmer despite successfully crossing The English Channel (twice), Jersey to France, Round Jersey, Windermere and Lake Zurich among other significant swims… He also completed his first successful crossing of The English Channel on his seventh attempt: talk about perseverance!! He regularly gives talks about his swimming experiences to aspirational marathon swimmers… It was an honour and privilege to speak to Cliff Golding. Enjoy!

Episode 5 is with the incredibly inspirational Jessica Hepburn. This was such an awesome chat and I really don't want to give too much away on here. Jessica is an author ("In Pursuit of Motherhood" and "21 Miles") ... She is a Chanel Swimmer and her swim story is a thing of beauty, that resonated with me on a very personal level. Enjoy!!

Episode four of Season three is with the awesome Mark Sheridan. Mark came to outdoor swimming later in life and then proceeded to break the door down with his marathon swimming feats. Among his multitude of achievements he is one of only a few people to have completed the entire British Long Distance Swimming Association calendar; he is a triple crown swimmer (including three EC crossings) and he became the first British athlete to complete a 69 km crossing of Lake Geneva, taking 33 hours 6 minutes and in doing so joined the 24-hour Club in July 2016… a swim he received the Diamond Jubilee Special Award for. I hope you enjoy this chat as much as I did recording it...! https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mark-sheridan9 http://reminiscencesofalongdistanceswimmer.blogspot.com/?m=1

I so enjoyed this talk with the legendary Steven Munatones: he has written about the sport since the 60's and is one of the most influential people in the world of Open Water Swimming. He founded the World Open Water Swimming Association, the Oceans Seven and is a marathon swimmer, water polo player, commentator, race director, coach and recent winner of the annual SCAR race held in Arizona (more of that anon in the chat). He needs no introduction to anyone connected to the sport. It's an honour to welcome him onto the show. Enjoy!!

Episode Two of Season Three is with fellow podcaster and marathon swimmer Shannon Keegan. Shannon is the host of the awesome "Marathon Swim Stories" so it was terrific to be able to interview her as opposed to her asking all the questions! Shannon is also a swim coach and has completed a gruelling 22 hour lake swim... I hope you enjoy this one! Happy Swimming!