About this talk
The endurance swimmer on whether her failed attempt to swim from Cuba to Florida at age 62 was an athletic defeat — or a personal victory.
About Diana Nyad
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‘To me the phrase “60 is the new 40” is not a joke. We baby boomers can put truth into those words. We are far from irrelevant at 60. We’re now emotionally mature, brimming with wisdom and calm, still physically strong. This should be the prime of our lives. Training for this swim has filled me with the heartening, empowering conviction that it’s never too late to chase your dream.’ – Diana Nyad
From 1969 to 1979, Diana Nyad was the world’s best and most celebrated long distance swimmer, breaking numerous men’s and women’s records, including the longest known swim of 102.5 miles from the island of Bimini to the Florida shore, a record she held for 20 years. With so many victories under her belt, Diana left swimming at the age of 30 with one regret – In 1978, after battling the odds in the open ocean for 41hrs and 49 mins, Diana was forced to abandon her never-before swum challenge of reaching Florida from Cuba.
In 1979, Diana left the water for a highly visible and lauded career as a radio contributor, writer and public speaker. National Public radio, Fox News, ABC’s Wild World of Sports, Outdoor Life Network, CBS News Sunday Morning, you name it and Diana has done it. She is also an author of three books, ‘Other Shores,’ ‘Basic Training,’ and ‘The Keyshawn Johnson Story,’ and has contributed to numerous publications including The New York Times and Newsweek. From 1989-1992, Diana Nyad even hosted her own show on CNBC, entitled ‘One on One with Diana Nyad’.
About Diana Nyad
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Marathon swimmer Diana Nyad returned to the TEDMED stage in 2014 to share lessons from her world record-setting solo 110-mile swim from Cuba to Miami at age 64.
I have three messages: One is we should never, ever give up. Two is you never are too old to chase your dreams. Three is it looks like a solitary sport, but it takes a team.
Diana Nyad
About Diana
Author, journalist, former TEDMED speaker, and long-distance swimmer Diana Nyad has broken numerous world records. Her swim around Manhattan (under eight hours) and the 102 miles she swam in open waters from the Bahamas to Florida were her biggest swimming achievements by age 30. In 2013, Diana attempted, for the fifth time, the 110-mile ocean crossing between Cuba and Florida. With a strong team and a new commitment to her vision, she became the first person to swim the distance without a shark cage. Once a nationally ranked squash player, Diana continues to challenge herself in myriad ways. Since her historic swim, she has appeared on the TV show, Dancing With the Stars!, written a new memoir, and workshopped her own one-woman theatrical show in Hollywood.
If you could choose to stay any age forever, what age would you choose?
This moment, 64, is my prime. Emotionally mature. Psychologically calm. Perspective to feel
profound gratitude and awe. Even my physical/athletic side is strongest.
What sparks your imagination?
Books. I’m writing a memoir, and reading others’ memoirs takes me through history and personal illumination.
What do you do to lift your spirits?
Hang out with my dog and three best friends: a beach walk with Teddy, a Scrabble game
with Bonnie, a shopping spree with Nina, an hour of philosophy with Candace in the hot tub.
Intrigued? here’s more…
Sink or Swim, Do or Die: Q&A with Diana Nyad on the TEDMED Blog
The Other Shore: The Diana Nyad Story
Timothy Wheeler, Director, 2013
Diana Nyad’s Basic Training for Women
Rh Value Publishing, 1981
Other Shores
Nyad, D. Random House, 1978
