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#84 The Deep End: What Cold Oceans, Swollen Throats, and the Edge of the Map Reveal About Endurance, Identity, and the Mind’s Breaking Point
In Part II of our deep conversation, Andy Donaldson takes us into the heart of open water swimming—where the body aches, the mind wanders, and sometimes… things go wrong.
We pick up the story after his return to the sport. But this time, it's different. Andy isn’t chasing medals—he’s chasing meaning. And the path leads him through shark-infested waters, swollen throats, and swims so long and cold they push his body toward shutdown.
In this episode, Andy shares:
- What happened during his 15-hour swim across the Molokai Channel that landed him in the hospital
- The physical and psychological cost of extreme endurance—and how he prepares for it
- How he trained his mind to stay calm through chaos, pain, and fear
- Why rest is one of the most underappreciated tools in elite performance
- The habits, rituals, and community that help him stay grounded—even as he takes on the world’s hardest swims
This is a conversation about what lives on the other side of burnout—and what it means to build a second act rooted in intention, not just achievement.
Whether you're an athlete, a late bloomer, or someone reevaluating what truly matters… there’s something in this episode for you.
🎧 Listen now and share your thoughts with us.
---
🎯 Support this podcast and try Nutrisense
Personalized health data can help us age better and feel stronger. Track your glucose 24/7 and work 1:1 with a certified dietitian to build habits that last. 👉 Get 33% off your first month at https://nutrisense.io/agelessathlete
🚀 Love the show? Here’s how to support it
If something you’ve heard here has stayed with you, made you smile, or helped you keep going, I’d be honored if you’d consider supporting the show. 👉 https://buymeacoffee.com/agelessathlete
📰 Subscribe to the Ageless Athlete newsletter !
1-2x a month, no spam. We share behind-the-scenes reflections, longevity tips, and athlete wisdom you won’t find anywhere else. You can sign up at https://www.agelessathlete.co/newsletter/ 📩
Support the show
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By Kush Khandelwal
5
4444 ratings
In Part II of our deep conversation, Andy Donaldson takes us into the heart of open water swimming—where the body aches, the mind wanders, and sometimes… things go wrong.
We pick up the story after his return to the sport. But this time, it's different. Andy isn’t chasing medals—he’s chasing meaning. And the path leads him through shark-infested waters, swollen throats, and swims so long and cold they push his body toward shutdown.
In this episode, Andy shares:
- What happened during his 15-hour swim across the Molokai Channel that landed him in the hospital
- The physical and psychological cost of extreme endurance—and how he prepares for it
- How he trained his mind to stay calm through chaos, pain, and fear
- Why rest is one of the most underappreciated tools in elite performance
- The habits, rituals, and community that help him stay grounded—even as he takes on the world’s hardest swims
This is a conversation about what lives on the other side of burnout—and what it means to build a second act rooted in intention, not just achievement.
Whether you're an athlete, a late bloomer, or someone reevaluating what truly matters… there’s something in this episode for you.
🎧 Listen now and share your thoughts with us.
---
🎯 Support this podcast and try Nutrisense
Personalized health data can help us age better and feel stronger. Track your glucose 24/7 and work 1:1 with a certified dietitian to build habits that last. 👉 Get 33% off your first month at https://nutrisense.io/agelessathlete
🚀 Love the show? Here’s how to support it
If something you’ve heard here has stayed with you, made you smile, or helped you keep going, I’d be honored if you’d consider supporting the show. 👉 https://buymeacoffee.com/agelessathlete
📰 Subscribe to the Ageless Athlete newsletter !
1-2x a month, no spam. We share behind-the-scenes reflections, longevity tips, and athlete wisdom you won’t find anywhere else. You can sign up at https://www.agelessathlete.co/newsletter/ 📩
Support the show
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