Q&A
What’s special about swimming in open water?
“Some people like playing football in their spare time, some like hiking. For me, I need the adrenaline rush that comes with the challenge of open water swimming."
“I take pride in being strong. If my team at FNZ needs me, I am strong for them and I support them through any challenging deliverables. And in the water, when I come up against a rogue wave or current, I am strong then too. But it’s not just physical training that gives me strength. Over the last several years, I’ve honed my ability to stay calm and steady when faced with uncertainty.”
When and how did swimming become a passion?
“After a minor injury, a doctor recommended that I try swimming to rehabilitate my injured muscles. That’s when swimming became a key part of my life. When I first started, I wasn’t fast and I wasn’t confident. But once I developed my stamina, I began to really enjoy swimming. Now, swimming a kilometer is just a warm-up!"
“I love the thrill of being faced with a customer problem and working with dynamic colleagues at FNZ to solve it. But there is nothing quite like the thrill of an open stretch of water and finishing a race alongside friends.”
How do you stay resilient during a race?
“If I’ve been swimming for a while and I’m beginning to get exhausted… I sing! I also don’t beat myself up if I’m not winning or dropping time. Even as the challenge increases, you must keep things fun. If I’m planning to do a long race, and I know I’ll be tired from it, I bring friends and we make a fun trip out of the experience."
“The exhaustion after a race can be challenging too, but thankfully my work at FNZ is flexible so I can work from home on days when I need to regain my strength.”
What advice would you give to anyone taking on a challenge like this?
“The real challenge in any open water race is knowing when to ask for help. There will always be a safety boat watching the swimmers, and when training in open water I always have my friends with me so we can look out for each other. However, there is no shame in asking for help if you need it. I take this same approach with my team at FNZ and regularly remind them that we’re all there to look out for each other.”
