Stories from the Water
Where land meets water, an invitation lingers—not just between elements, but between versions of yourself. You could remain on shore—where it's safe, familiar, predictable. Or you could cross into the unknown.
Stories from the Water is where we dive into the courage it takes to begin, the resilience that keeps us moving forward, and the wisdom that only emerges in the space between.
If you have ever stood at the edge of a body of water and wondered what it would be like to swim to the other side, you're in good company. Whether you're a seasoned swimmer, aspiring adventurer, or just someone intrigued by the water's mysterious pull, allow these stories to reveal what lies beneath the surface—not just of the water, but of ourselves.
Stories from the Water
Chris Ballard's Swim Story
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Chris is a journalist and the author of five books. The latest, The Plunge: Maverick Swimmers, an Unlikely Quest, and the Transformative Power of Cold Water, it is a globe-trotting narrative about swimmers, the science of discomfort, and the psychology of endurance.
Lynne Cox called it "brilliant." Jeff Pearlman described it as "masterful" and "life-affirming." And Adam Grant deemed it, "mesmerizing," adding, "I still loathe cold water but I loved this book."
Booklist and Publisher's Weekly gave it starred reviews, describing it as "entertaining," "ambitious," "thrumming with energy," and "a jubilant exploration."
You can pre-order at Simon & Schuster.
For two decades, I was a Senior Writer at Sports Illustrated, writing features, profiles, and investigations. My work has also appeared in The New York Times Magazine, the Los Angeles Times, National Geographic, and other publications.
This episode is one story. The Water’s Edge is where stories like this turn into lived experience. Feeling inspired? Find Meaning in the Monotony or subscribe to my Substack for Lessons from the Water
Want to watch? Episodes now available on YouTube!
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Questions, comments, feedback, or if you'd like to be a guest, reach out to me.
Stories from the Water is produced by http://254studio.com
Music credit:
Epic Inspiration by Rafael Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5447-epic-inspiration-
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Swimming sounds courtesy of swimmer Todd Lantry.
You don’t need a big goal to reach out — just curiosity. If you’re wondering about Swimbound, email me at shannon@intrepidwater.com.
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