Diana Nyad – Her Wish List Fulfilled
Diana Nyad’s passion has been swimming from Cuba to Florida for quite some time. As many baby boomers (1) prepared for her retirement, Diana decided not to waste any more time reaching her life’s goal. At 64, you’d think she’d rather sit back and enjoy her years of accomplishments. But she Diana didn’t believe for a second that there was anything stopping her from trying to swim across the ocean again. Without hesitation, she donned a bathing cap and bathing suit, clipped her nose, and spent grueling hours strategizing and training.
This was Diana’s fifth attempt (2) to swim approximately 110 miles from Havana, Cuba to Key West, Florida. The first was in 1978, then three attempts between 2011 and 2012. She had one setback after another: problems with the boat, storms, strong currents, sharks and jellyfish, among others. In 2012, she was less sure if she’d ever achieve her goal, but even in the midst of defeat, Diana didn’t fully relent under the pressures of failure. That is evident by her bravery to get up and try again.
We can learn a lot from such a determined woman. Not only is she a long distance swimmer, she has also written three books, she is a motivational speaker and a commentator for NPR. Diana has taught us that training, focus and determination, despite her criticism, are worth it. However, it is important to mention that she did not do it alone. She had a 35-member team with her: a team of cheerleaders, doctors, a boat to guide her, and people waiting ashore with full confidence that she would walk the sands of Florida and greet them with victorious triumph.
Diana Nyad is inspiration in its truest form. No matter how many excuses we make to explain our failures, absolutely nothing should stand in our way from trying again—not age, gender, race, or outside pressures. I’m sure Diana had a moment where she thought she was done. I wouldn’t be surprised if she went to her closet and packed up all the bathing suits she had and headed to the dumpster. If that happened, it is clear today that at some point, she had a change of heart. I don’t know what she did to mentally prepare herself for such a challenge for the fifth time, but I assure you that she did what she did, this time she did it well.
This Labor Day, September 2, 2013, Diana Nyad made us believe that anything is possible. Good for you Diane! Congratulations!
(1) http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/she-the-people/wp/2013/09/02/diana-nyad-inspiration-to-baby-boomers-everywhere/
(2) http://msn.foxsports.com/other/story/diana-nyad-first-to-swim-to-florida-from-cuba-without-shark-cage-090213