""Swimming in 43-degree water with no wetsuit, knowing sharks could be nearby, pushes every cell in your body to scream for warmth and safety. But that’s where mental toughness comes in. You break it down—30 minutes at a time—pushing past the pain and fear to discover another level of yourself."🌊
Amy Appelhans Gubser has achieved what many considered impossible: swimming nearly 29.7 miles over 17 grueling hours, from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Farallon Islands—a feat that no man or woman had ever completed before.
Amy faced unimaginable challenges: freezing 43-degree water, shark-infested depths, and hours upon hours of relentless swimming without a wetsuit. Her journey is not just about athletic achievement—it’s a testament to mental toughness, preparation, and the power of believing in yourself.
In this episode, Amy shares what it takes to tackle one of the hardest swims in the world, the strategies she used to overcome fear and exhaustion, and the lessons she’s learned about pushing human limits.
Key Takeaways:
🥶 The Cold Reality: How Amy endured 43-degree water without a wetsuit and fought through the physical pain of extreme cold.
🦈 Swimming with Sharks: The psychological toll of swimming in shark territory—and how she kept her focus.
🔄 Adapt and Persist: The years of planning and setbacks—and how persistence and flexibility were key to her success.
🐟 Unexpected Challenges: Jellyfish stings, rough currents, and nature’s surprises—how Amy handled them all.
💪 Mental Toughness: How Amy pushed past fear and exhaustion to find strength she didn’t know she had.
🏥 Drawing Strength from Her Work: How her role as a nurse shaped her resilience and gave her the mental tools to face this monumental challenge.
Cover 📸 credit: Tom Sewell
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