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The Longest Battle: Hard-Earned Lessons from Crossing the English Channel at 59
Season 1 Episode 95
At 59, Charlotte Brynn has swum across some of the world’s most punishing channels — in pitch black, in near-freezing water, and even after being bitten by a shark. But her story is more than toughness.
It’s about what happens when you don’t reach your goal — not once, but five times. It’s about staying in the fight for 12 years to complete the English Channel. And it’s about discovering that real strength isn't just physical — it's the willingness to try again, and again, and again.
In this conversation, we cover:
- What it’s like to swim a full ice mile (41°F water, no wetsuit, no room for error)
- The shark bite during her Catalina Channel swim — and why she kept going
- Why she failed the English Channel five times — and why the sixth attempt finally worked
- How she learned to let go of outcome and embrace self-love
- Coaching insights that go far beyond swimming: discomfort, confidence jars, and showing up
- What “ageless” really means when you’ve swum through jellyfish, sewage, and self-doubt
This episode is a masterclass in resilience, identity, and choosing growth over comfort — no matter your age.
🔗 Resources + Mentions
- Charlotte’s site: brynnswim.com
- The Swimming Hole (Vermont): theswimmingholestowe.com
- International Ice Swimming Association: iceswimming.com
- Charlotte’s 28.5-mile Manhattan Island Swim: NYC Swim
- Joan Weisberg, past guest and friend of Charlotte — hear her story in [“Out of the Box at 75” → Episode #92]
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Published on 2 months, 3 weeks ago