Goodkin

Diana Nyad: Swimming Toward a Dream

There are those in this life who will knock you down, who will say “no” to your every “what if.” There are those whose support you will seek and will not get, and there will be plenty who will laugh in your face when you dare to share your dreams.

For many, those roadblocks will end any chance of a goal coming true, but for others, nothing can stand in the way of achieving one’s life-long dreams. We found one such women who is defying many odds to attempt a lifelong dream, and Goodkin wants to be the first to say we know it can be done. 

Diana Nyad has led a life full of achievements that are truly inspirational. She was the greatest long distance swimmer in the world for a period of ten years between 1969-1979, breaking and making records all over the place. She’s swum around Manhattan Island in under 8 hours and she’s even made the longest swim in history, a 102.5 mile journey from the Bahamas to Florida. It should come as no surprise that Diana is a member of the National Women’s Hall of Fame and the International Swimming Hall of Fame.


But even someone as talented and successful as Diana has her white whale: in 1978 she attempted to swim from Cuba to Florida—103 miles—but failed after 41 hours and 49 minutes due to strong currents and bad weather. After burning out soon after that fateful swim, Diana went 31 years without swimming. Not. A. Single. Stroke. Now, at age 60, Diana will do what some might call crazy, dangerous or impossible: she’s attempting this swim again come August.

As a member of the baby boomer generation, Diana has no doubt felt the same feelings as many people who are in their “golden years” feel: that perhaps the best and most productive days of their life are behind them. That’s why this swim Diana will be attempting is so much more than just some athletic event; it’s proof that no matter how old you are, you can attempt a dream.

At Goodkin, we can’t help but see the parallel’s between Diana’s strength to attempt an unconventional goal and the milestones that unconventional families are making everyday. It’s not easy to fly in the face of tradition or people in your life who tell you no, but many families do every day. People all over the world have to look inside themselves to gather the strength to create their own lives, their own paths—their own happiness.


How will she do this intense physical feat? To hear how she will do this, stay tuned to another post we’ll publish closer to her swim date, when we’ll interview Diana to hear more about life, her philosophies and her dreams.

In the meantime, we can’t help but think that the way she lives her life now will be a strong contributing factor in her achieving this goal. Diana, along with Bonnie Stoll, runs BravaBody, a company focused on helping women over 50 achieve their fitness goals. More than just a run-of-the-mill personal training business, Diana and Bonnie work with clients to inspire them to achieve their weight loss dreams, but also help them realize they are in the prime of their lives.


You simply must check out a video of Diana here, and read more great information about her and her upcoming swim, plus her current training, on her website. And, for a wealth of information on how to get healthy and stay strong so you can attempt your own life goals, check out the BravaBody website. Into social media? So is Diana: you can like her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter. 

Did you ever attempt a life goal later in life? Have you ever had a life dream dashed by someone or something? If you feel comfortable, share your life dream or a big goal with us here today.

[Photos: Newer photos by Karen Christensen; older photos from Diana Nyad's personal photo archive]