Amy Gubser - "I Can Do Hard Things" How a 56-Year-Old Grandmother Conquered Shark-Infested Waters

The Impossible Network

Amy Gubser

Amy Gubser, is an extraordinary 56-year-old grandmother who this year became the first person ever to complete an unassisted swim from the Golden Gate Bridge in SF to the Farallon Islands - a 30-mile stretch of cold, shark-infested waters off the California coast. Moreover, what makes this achievement even more remarkable is that Amy only started her marathon swimming journey aged 46.

Throughout a fascinating conversation, Amy describes her path from early morning swims in San Francisco Bay through increasingly arduous challenges, including consequently crossing the treacherous North Channel between Ireland and Scotland. Furthermore, Amy shares her insights into the physical and mental preparation required for ultra-marathon swimming, from nutrition strategies to managing the understandable fear of great white sharks and jellyfish swarms.

In addition to her swimming achievements, Amy discusses how her work as a nurse has informed her mental toughness, the importance of breaking age-related stereotypes, and as a result, her mission to inspire others - especially women - to pursue ambitious goals at any age.

With upcoming swims planned for Scotland's deep and mysterious Loch Ness, therefore Amy is proof that human potential knows no bounds when matched with determination, careful preparation, and above all her simple mantra: 'I can do hard things.'

Amy's story is an inspiring reminder that it's never too late to pursue extraordinary achievements. Note to self! Now over to Amy.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

03:10 Who is Amy as a Human?

05:35 Childhood and Family Background

10:48 Early Swimming and Lifeguarding

14:26 Nursing Career and Mental Toughness

26:12 Rediscovering Swimming

33:24 First Marathon Swim: Gibraltar Straits

35:59 Conquering Lake Tahoe

37:20 The North Channel Challenge

39:24 Molokai to Oahu Swim

39:56 Local Swims and Challenges

40:47 The Alcatraz Swim

42:15 Manhattan Island Swim

45:23 Nutrition and Hydration Strategies

53:18 Facing the Farallon Islands

55:34 Shark and Jellyfish Encounters

01:01:32 Mental and Physical Endurance

01:06:24 Inspiration and Future Goals

01:11:11 Advice for Aspiring Swimmers

01:18:04 Final Thoughts and Inspirations

Social posts

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/amygubser92?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Links in show

Books:

"The Devil's Teeth" (Book about the Farallon Islands mentioned as inspiration)

- "Tough Broads" by Caroline Paul (Recent book Amy highly recommends)

- Young Woman in the Sea (About Trudy Ederle, first woman to swim the English Channel)

Films/Media:

Documentary about Mercedes Gleitze

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.