9:35AM – 15 March 2013
I remember sitting in my bed and breakfast outside of Dover, England back in July 2010 -communicating back home with friends via Facebook. I remembered having one unique conversation with a good friend who was actively serving our great country in the Middle East. I was swimming the English Channel and he was in a war zone. We spoke about a lot about life; what we wanted, and where we wanted to go. We understood each other on many levels – mainly because we were both adventure seekers, but also the fact that we pushed the boundaries of what is possible. After a long conversation, I remember he asked me, “Would you rather die, than not complete this swim?” When I responded, “Yes.”, he said, “Now you are ready to complete the journey.” Almost three years later, my friend wrote another message to me today which meant so much, because he understands what it takes to have the mindset to achieve the seemingly impossible…
“It’s not every day we can look up to a man that sets extraordinary goals and tenaciously executes them with flying colors; selflessly braving these sacrificial feats for the sake of arguably the greatest cause on Earth. That is true Heroism my friend. You and your actions are truly an inspiration to me. Thank you, and God Speed.”
I have received a lot of incredible messages over the past few days, and I wanted to share because it honestly means SO MUCH that people care about the charitable mission I am on. I have been successful in my journey because I have not quit, and I will never quit until I am on the other side. A ‘team’ fights through difficult times; whether in athletics or in life. We are all on a team together, and anyone who supports the Team Forever mission is going through this with me. This is not, “I am alone.” it is, “We are all in this together.” You are fighting alongside with me with every stroke of this, or any channel I have swum. We all feel the pain of life together. I am simply the ‘middle man’ to see what is possible when you believe – WHATEVER your journey is, we ALL FIGHT TOGETHER. Nothing is done alone in this world. Your spirit, thoughts and prayers are right alongside me every stroke of this rough, cold, treacherous stretch of water…
I AM DOING WHAT I LOVE, AND NO ONE CAN TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME. THIS IS MY LIFE, MY DECISION AND MY DESIRE TO PUSH THE LIMITS OF WHAT IS POSSIBLE TO TRY AND MOTIVATE ANYONE WILLING TO USE MY ACTIONS AS INSPIRATION TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN ACHIEVE. THERE IS NO WHERE ELSE I WOULD RATHER BE RIGHT NOW. I LOVE READING THE PERSONAL THOUGHTS OF VISIONARIES WHO KNOW OUR TIME IS LIMITED TO ACHIEVING THE ‘SUCCESS’ WE WANT IN LIFE. CLIMB ON YOUR SOAPBOX – I LOVE HEARING ANYTHING THAT CAN GIVE ME STRENGTH!
IT IS OUR DUTY TO GET UP, GET OUT AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THIS WORLD. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST OR SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT – DO IT. LIVE YOUR LIFE HOW YOU WANT, AND NEVER LET ANYONE POINT A FINGER IN YOUR FACE AND TELL YOU THAT YOU ARE NOT WORTH IT, OR THE JOURNEY IS NOT WORTH THE FIGHT. THESE PEOPLE ARE COWARDS; THE WEAK WHO CANNOT STAND ON THEIR TWO FEET BECAUSE THEY ARE AFRAID OF PEOPLE LIKE YOU WHO CANNOT, AND WILL NOT BE SUPRESSED.
WANT TO KNOW WHAT MAKES A TOUGH PERSON? SOMEONE WHO IS KIND, CARING AND WILLING TO MAKE THE SACRIFICES NECESSARY TO LIVE A LIFE WORTH REMEMBERING, AND TO ENABLE A BETTER LIFE FOR THOSE THEY LOVE. BEING TOUGH IS NOT ABOUT BEING MEAN, RUDE OR INCAPABLE OF SHOWING PAIN. MY TEARS OF PAIN WHILE SWIMMING AND VISUALIZING BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES GIVE ME THE STRENGTH TO FIGHT THROUGH SOME OF THE MOST DIFFICULT CHALLENGES THIS EARTH CAN THROW MY WAY. TOUGH PEOPLE SMILE, CRY AND HAVE A HEART. ANYTHING OTHER THAN BEING SOMEONE WHO CARES IS NOTHING SHORT OF BEING A COWARD. WE NEED MORE CARING, KIND AND WILLING INDIVIDUALS IN THIS WORLD; WE HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE WHO THINK THEY ARE TOUGH. PROVE YOURSELF THROUGH YOUR ACTIONS.
In case you have not realized, I tend to think very deep into many topics, but you have to also understand the sheer overwhelming feeling these challenges bring. The feeling of overlooking a dark, stretch of water with the wind blowing, waves crashing and knowing you have to swim to a point you cannot even see is INCREDIBLE. Difficult challenges in life give you the ability to think on a whole different level because they truly cannot be explained in words.
Let me say it again – I AM NOT PERFECT, NOR PRETEND TO BE. I have failed so many times in my life, but it was through these failures and mistakes that I have come to understand the little time we have, and why we can never take it for granted. Through times of difficulty and failure we grow strong and powerful.
This is for you Anna, John, Michael, Jimmy, Kara and Summer – let’s take that ride one more time into the unknown.
There may only two visible boats in the water, but I know there is a third which will always be right beside me.
ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE – NEVER FEAR THE UKNOWN!