E76 | Chloë McCardel
Episode summary | Chloë McCardel
Chloë McCardel is known as the Queen of the Channel after setting the world record for the most crossings of the English Channel (44).
She also holds the world record for the longest non-stop swim – 124km, 42 hours – in the open water! Without doubt she is the greatest ultra-marathon swimmer in history. She covers the time she nearly died 17 hours into a world record attempt, having to abort a swim due to jellyfish stings, and how she deals with shark danger.
Her story test the limits of human endurance, and we find out where her mental strength comes from, and where her mind goes during the dark times of a long open water swim. She describes the mental and physical anguish of swimming for 42 hours that may stretch your appreciation of what the human body and mind can achieve.
To date, Chloë might be the toughest athlete we’ve talked to. The strength it takes to do what she has done is inspiring – and makes you question the limitations you’ve put on yourself.
Show notes | Chloë McCardel
1.52 Seamus reveals his rules around water and his fear of the ocean
4.04 Setting the scene: “I wanted to be the best in the world at something”
8.27 Steven’s swimming journey towards a 10km open water swim
11.45 Chloë on mental strength, your purpose, and finding your calling
13.33 The English Channel
23.51 Signing Steven up for the England to Belgium Relay Swim
26.33 Coaching athletes to open water swimming
30.07 Breaking down the mechanics of an ultra-marathon swim
35.04 The importance of the support crew
38.07 The failed triple crossing attempt in 2011: 30 minutes from death
43.12 Shark chat
47.34 The Cuba to USA 160km swim attempt
51.11 The 124km world record unassisted open water swim
59.25 Could you do further?
1.02.50 Media exposure and external support for the challenges
1.05.07 Do you learn more from success or failure?
1.07.02 Using her platform to raise awareness on domestic abuse
1.09.51 Mental strength v physical strength
1.14.28 Thoughts on “being the best in world at something”
1.17.05 Weird things seen in the ocean while open water swimming
1.21.00 Last words from Steven, Seamus and Chloë
