Category: psychology

Finding Pride in My Disability

by Sophie, posted in Adaptive Swimming, challenge, chronic illness, chronic pain, Disability Swimming, Disabled, Life in a wheelchair, Living with a Disability, marathon swim, Mental Health, open water, Open Water Swimming, Outdoor Swimming, psychology, Wheelchair User

For a long time, I felt ashamed of my disability. Now, I’m learning to see it as a source of resilience, community, and pride. This post shares how that shift happened.

Training Update

by Sophie, posted in Bristol Channel Training, Events, fundraising, Open Water Swimming, Outdoor Swimming, psychology, Races, Training

Training has felt off for a while, I've not felt like I've been making progress since my injury at the start of the year. Swimming has felt awkward, i've been exhausted and too tired to train but in the past couple of weeks things seem to have taken a turn for the better, finally. The … Continue reading Training Update

Week 4 of Bristol Channel Training

by Sophie, posted in Adaptive Swimming, Bristol Channel Training, challenge, chronic illness, chronic pain, Disabled, Open Water Swimming, Outdoor Swimming, psychology, Training, winter swimming

Last week was my final push before my first recovery week.  The week started with the first Bars and Bells session at the gym. I was quite nervous given I have never actually been to a fitness class at the gym before but I felt it was an important and good way to potentially look … Continue reading Week 4 of Bristol Channel Training

Week 2 – Building Consistency

by Sophie, posted in Bristol Channel Training, Living with a Disability, psychology, Training

Similarly to last week, my focus is still on the consistency of my training. I haven't quite managed to get back to where I know I can in terms of the frequency and intensity of my training but then, it's only week 2. The week started with my usual BRJ coaching session, week 5 of … Continue reading Week 2 – Building Consistency

Bristol Channel Week 1

by Sophie, posted in Adaptive Swimming, Bristol Channel Training, challenge, Disabled, Events, friends, marathon swim, open water, Open Water Swimming, Outdoor Swimming, psychology, Training

After I successfully completed my Windermere 2-way swim in 2021 I wanted to set myself another challenge. I wanted it to be or include the English Channel solo because it had always been a dream of mine. Whilst deciding on a challenge I had read about Tom Chapman who had swum the Bristol channel 3 … Continue reading Bristol Channel Week 1

Cornwall, Day 5 – The Magic of Night Swimming

by Sophie, posted in Adaptive Swimming, Disability Swimming, English Channel, Open Water Swimming, outdoor swimmer, Outdoor Swimming, psychology, safety, Training

Something I have always loved is night swimming, be it in the river, lake or sea; there is nothing else like it and you’ll only understand it if you have done it but I will try to explain. When it is completely dark and you’re entering the water it makes you use your other senses as … Continue reading Cornwall, Day 5 – The Magic of Night Swimming

Its Not All in The Numbers

by Sophie, posted in Adaptive Swimming, challenge, chronic illness, chronic pain, coaching, Disability Swimming, Disabled, English Channel, friends, Life in a wheelchair, Living with a Disability, marathon swim, open water, Open Water Swimming, outdoor swimmer, Outdoor Swimming, psychology, teaching, Training, Wheelchair User

If you read the latest article/blog on the STA website you will recognise most of this content, if you haven't - enjoy my training from last month and see what I achieved!

Dover Channel Training Conference Part 2

by Sophie, posted in English Channel, Events, Family, marathon swim, open water, Open Water Swimming, outdoor swimmer, Outdoor Swimming, psychology, safety, Training

Day 2 started with me wanting to stay in bed and my sister staying in bed, not the best start.  The morning sessions weren't overly relevant to my sister and after the faff with trains and a busy day on Saturday I was kind enough to let her sleep...aka I couldn't wake her up! The … Continue reading Dover Channel Training Conference Part 2

2023 Channel Swim Introduction

by Sophie, posted in Adaptive Swimming, challenge, chronic illness, chronic pain, coaching, Disability Swimming, Disabled, English Channel, Events, Lake Windermere, Life in a wheelchair, Living with a Disability, marathon swim, open water, Open Water Swimming, outdoor swimmer, Outdoor Swimmer Magazine, Outdoor Swimming, psychology, Races, teaching, Training, Wheelchair User

"In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity" Albert Einstein The beginning of the new year is always something to celebrate, we look back on all we have achieved the previous year and, perhaps, most importantly we look forwards and plan for the new year. For me, the plan is simple; to be the first person … Continue reading 2023 Channel Swim Introduction

The end is in sight – Dover Part 3

by Sophie, posted in Adaptive Swimming, challenge, chronic illness, chronic pain, Disabled, Events, friends, fundraising, marathon swim, Mental Health, open water, Open Water Swimming, outdoor swimmer, Outdoor Swimmer Magazine, Outdoor Swimming, psychology, safety, Wheelchair User

Everyone (that was awake) was excited. We were pretty sure the 3rd swim would be our final swim and I think as a result, subconsciously, we had all decided to give it absolutely everything we had.  Dean was up and went in smiling, had an amazing swim and came out looking like the Cheshire cat and … Continue reading The end is in sight – Dover Part 3