Send us Fan Mail

​Chris is a journalist and the author of five books. The latest, The Plunge: Maverick Swimmers, an Unlikely Quest, and the Transformative Power of Cold Water, it is a globe-trotting narrative about swimmers, the science of discomfort, and the psychology of endurance. 

Lynne Cox called it "brilliant."  Jeff Pearlman described it as "masterful" and "life-affirming." And Adam Grant deemed it, "mesmerizing," adding, "I still loathe cold water but I loved this book."

Booklist and Publisher's Weekly gave it starred reviews, describing it as "entertaining," "ambitious," "thrumming with energy," and "a jubilant exploration."

You can pre-order at Simon & Schuster.

For two decades, I was a Senior Writer at Sports Illustrated, writing features, profiles, and investigations. My work has also appeared in The New York Times Magazine, the Los Angeles Times, National Geographic, and other publications.

This episode is one story. The Water’s Edge is where stories like this turn into lived experience. Feeling inspired? Find Meaning in the Monotony or subscribe to my Substack for Lessons from the Water 

Want to watch? Episodes now available on YouTube!

Keep the stories coming by supporting the show.

Questions, comments, feedback, or if you'd like to be a guest, reach out to me.

Stories from the Water is produced by http://254studio.com

Music credit:
Epic Inspiration  by Rafael Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5447-epic-inspiration-
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Swimming sounds courtesy of swimmer Todd Lantry.

You don’t need a big goal to reach out — just curiosity. If you’re wondering about Swimbound, email me at [email protected].

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Lev Goldberg (he/him) became the first openly transgender person to swim across Lake Ontario or any Great Lake on September 3, 2025, finishing his crossing in 24 hours 25 minutes and 15 seconds. He is currently working towards becoming the first openly transgender person to swim across all 5 Great Lakes, and is training to swim 55km across Lake Huron in August 2026, raising funds for LGBT Youthline. 

Although gender dysphoria led him to stop swimming at age 9, he found his way back to the water at age 27 after a eighteen-year hiatus and quickly began to dream of marathon swimming. Less than three years later, he swam across Lake Ontario raising $7,000 for LGBT Youthline, a peer support service for 2SLGBTQ+ youth in Ontario.

Lev was born in Philadelphia and moved to Toronto to attend university thirteen years ago, where he now works as a therapist supporting 2SLGBTQ+ youth. He is also an avid runner and has completed more than twenty running races including two full marathons. 

You can learn more about Lev and his swims at levswimslakes.ca, @lev.swims.lakes on instagram, and @the.leviathn on Tiktok.

This episode is one story. The Water’s Edge is where stories like this turn into lived experience. Feeling inspired? Find Meaning in the Monotony or subscribe to my Substack for Lessons from the Water 

Want to watch? Episodes now available on YouTube!

Keep the stories coming by supporting the show.

Questions, comments, feedback, or if you'd like to be a guest, reach out to me.

Stories from the Water is produced by http://254studio.com

Music credit:
Epic Inspiration  by Rafael Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5447-epic-inspiration-
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Swimming sounds courtesy of swimmer Todd Lantry.

You don’t need a big goal to reach out — just curiosity. If you’re wondering about Swimbound, email me at [email protected].

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

This episode is one story. The Water’s Edge is where stories like this turn into lived experience. Feeling inspired? Find Meaning in the Monotony or subscribe to my Substack for Lessons from the Water 

Want to watch? Episodes now available on YouTube!

Keep the stories coming by supporting the show.

Questions, comments, feedback, or if you'd like to be a guest, reach out to me.

Stories from the Water is produced by http://254studio.com

Music credit:
Epic Inspiration  by Rafael Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5447-epic-inspiration-
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Swimming sounds courtesy of swimmer Todd Lantry.

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

This episode is one story. The Water’s Edge is where stories like this turn into lived experience. Feeling inspired? Find Meaning in the Monotony or subscribe to my Substack for Lessons from the Water 

Want to watch? Episodes now available on YouTube!

Keep the stories coming by supporting the show.

Questions, comments, feedback, or if you'd like to be a guest, reach out to me.

Stories from the Water is produced by http://254studio.com

Music credit:
Epic Inspiration  by Rafael Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5447-epic-inspiration-
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Swimming sounds courtesy of swimmer Todd Lantry.

You don’t need a big goal to reach out — just curiosity. If you’re wondering about Swimbound, email me at [email protected].

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

This episode is one story. The Water’s Edge is where stories like this turn into lived experience. Feeling inspired? Find Meaning in the Monotony or subscribe to my Substack for Lessons from the Water 

Want to watch? Episodes now available on YouTube!

Keep the stories coming by supporting the show.

Questions, comments, feedback, or if you'd like to be a guest, reach out to me.

Stories from the Water is produced by http://254studio.com

Music credit:
Epic Inspiration  by Rafael Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5447-epic-inspiration-
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Swimming sounds courtesy of swimmer Todd Lantry.

You don’t need a big goal to reach out — just curiosity. If you’re wondering about Swimbound, email me at [email protected].

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

This episode is one story. The Water’s Edge is where stories like this turn into lived experience. Feeling inspired? Find Meaning in the Monotony or subscribe to my Substack for Lessons from the Water 

Want to watch? Episodes now available on YouTube!

Keep the stories coming by supporting the show.

Questions, comments, feedback, or if you'd like to be a guest, reach out to me.

Stories from the Water is produced by http://254studio.com

Music credit:
Epic Inspiration  by Rafael Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5447-epic-inspiration-
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Swimming sounds courtesy of swimmer Todd Lantry.

You don’t need a big goal to reach out — just curiosity. If you’re wondering about Swimbound, email me at [email protected].

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

This episode is one story. The Water’s Edge is where stories like this turn into lived experience. Feeling inspired? Find Meaning in the Monotony or subscribe to my Substack for Lessons from the Water 

Want to watch? Episodes now available on YouTube!

Keep the stories coming by supporting the show.

Questions, comments, feedback, or if you'd like to be a guest, reach out to me.

Stories from the Water is produced by http://254studio.com

Music credit:
Epic Inspiration  by Rafael Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5447-epic-inspiration-
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Swimming sounds courtesy of swimmer Todd Lantry.

You don’t need a big goal to reach out — just curiosity. If you’re wondering about Swimbound, email me at [email protected].

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Find out more about Ocean Conservancy, A Healthy Ocean and Thriving Planet Forever and for Everyone: Homepage - Ocean Conservancy

Find out more about Podcastathon: Welcome | Podcasthon

This episode is one story. The Water’s Edge is where stories like this turn into lived experience. Feeling inspired? Find Meaning in the Monotony or subscribe to my Substack for Lessons from the Water 

Want to watch? Episodes now available on YouTube!

Keep the stories coming by supporting the show.

Questions, comments, feedback, or if you'd like to be a guest, reach out to me.

Stories from the Water is produced by http://254studio.com

Music credit:
Epic Inspiration  by Rafael Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5447-epic-inspiration-
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Swimming sounds courtesy of swimmer Todd Lantry.

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Veruska De Vita is a learner free diver, open-water swimmer and author who encourages everyone to have a deeper respect for the sea. Her non-fiction book Deep Blue – why we love the sea, launched in 2025 and is available on amazon.com 

@veruskadevita

This episode is one story. The Water’s Edge is where stories like this turn into lived experience. Feeling inspired? Find Meaning in the Monotony or subscribe to my Substack for Lessons from the Water 

Want to watch? Episodes now available on YouTube!

Keep the stories coming by supporting the show.

Questions, comments, feedback, or if you'd like to be a guest, reach out to me.

Stories from the Water is produced by http://254studio.com

Music credit:
Epic Inspiration  by Rafael Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5447-epic-inspiration-
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Swimming sounds courtesy of swimmer Todd Lantry.

You don’t need a big goal to reach out — just curiosity. If you’re wondering about Swimbound, email me at [email protected].

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Kelsey moves slowly and intentionally through the world, weaving together her interests of swimming, storytelling, dancing, writing, grief, nature, and connection. She's an Open Floor Movement Teacher, inviting people to deepen their relationship with themselves and each other (www.fireandmoss.com). She's bicycled across multiple countries, self-published three books, and currently lives in Bellingham, WA. 

This episode is one story. The Water’s Edge is where stories like this turn into lived experience. Feeling inspired? Sign Up for a Free Goal Setting Guide. Subscribe to my Substack for Lessons from the Water 

Want to watch? Episodes now available on YouTube!

Keep the stories coming by supporting the show.

Questions, comments, feedback, or if you'd like to be a guest, reach out to me.

Stories from the Water is produced by http://254studio.com

Music credit:
Epic Inspiration  by Rafael Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5447-epic-inspiration-
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Swimming sounds courtesy of swimmer Todd Lantry.

You don’t need a big goal to reach out — just curiosity. If you’re wondering about Swimbound, email me at [email protected].

Support the show