This week, Michelle sits down with writer, swimmer, and all-round adventurer Sara Barnes, whose story is a masterclass in resilience and reinvention. After surviving major heart surgery and multiple health setbacks, Sara turned to the freezing lakes of Cumbria for healing — and found her purpose.

From the icy calm of cold-water swimming to the realities of rejection, imposter syndrome, and late-life confidence, Sara’s story is a reminder that it’s never too late to start over or to finally back yourself.

🗝️ Key Takeaways

• Life’s curveballs are invitations, not endings. Sara’s health scares forced her to slow down and realign her priorities.
• Community saves us. Cold-water swimming connected her to a supportive world of women who push past comfort zones together.
• Rejection isn’t failure. Years of “no” built the tenacity that led to her first published book.
• Dreams lose their sparkle when they become reality — and that’s okay. The growth is in the pursuit, not the finish line.
• Boundaries build better relationships. Saying “no” turned Sara’s life from lonely to aligned.
• Confidence isn’t a switch. Even the boldest women still battle self-doubt — the trick is doing it anyway.

Timestamps

0:00 — Welcome & Sara’s story: surviving heart surgery and finding perspective

0:03:40 — Grief, loss, and how writing helped her heal

0:11:50 — The Instagram trap: learning to disconnect and reconnect with real life

0:12:18 — The unexpected beginning: how cold-water swimming saved her

0:19:48 — From ugly duckling to swan: the boss who underestimated her

0:26:20 — [Mid-Roll Ad Slot] + Identity shift — becoming an author and imposter syndrome

0:33:45 — The truth about chasing dreams and learning to enjoy the process

0:43:30 — Skinny dipping, confidence, and helping women find freedom

0:52:55 — Bonus Episode begins: Quick-fire dares and reflections

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