INSPIRED VOICES #8 Karen Ennis

Karen Ennis joins the Inspired Voices podcast to share her extraordinary journey as an open-water swimmer and fundraiser for Alder Hey.

After facing personal tragedy, Karen turned to swimming as a way to rebuild her life—what started as a mile in Lake Windermere has since become a global challenge, raising over £40,000 for Alder Hey. Now, with five of the world’s toughest open-water swims completed, Karen is on the brink of making history as the first British woman to complete the Ocean Seven challenge.

From battling freezing waters and jellyfish stings to swimming alongside dolphins and pushing through mental and physical barriers, Karen’s story is a true testament to resilience, determination, and the power of fundraising. In this inspiring conversation with Cath and Adam, she talks about her journey, her motivation, and what it takes to conquer some of the most challenging swims in the world—all in support of Alder Hey.

Episodes of Inspired Voices may contain stories which some listeners may find upsetting.