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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 

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Hilary Topper is a USA Triathlon Coach Level 1, ESCI Coach, USMS Swim Coach Level 3,  RRCA Run Coach, WOWSA Open Water Coach, and an Adult Learn to Swim Coach. She’s a blogger for http://www.ATriathletesDiary.com, where she writes about everything swim, bike, and run. She also has a lifestyle blog, http://www.HilaryTopper.com, and a podcast.  She’s the author of four books. Her last two books focused on endurance sports, with the latest one, Unlocking the Triathlon: The Beginner’s Guide to Competing in a Triathlon, recently released. She is also an adjunct professor at both Hofstra University and Fairleigh Dickinson University, where she teaches digital marketing.

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.

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In this 2025 Year in Review, I reflect on the lessons swimming continues to teach me—about trust, awareness, and moving through uncertainty with more ease.

Drawing from open water swims, coaching experiences, and everyday moments, this episode explores how the water becomes a teacher when we slow down enough to listen. Rather than focusing on outcomes or performance, it’s a reflection on process, patience, and what shifts beneath the surface over time.

Whether you swim for fitness, adventure, or personal growth, this episode invites you to look back on your own year with curiosity—and carry what matters forward.

Subscribe to my Substack for Lessons from the Water and join me at The Water's Edge!

Want to watch? Episodes now available on YouTube!

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/

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Send us a text

Feeling inspired? Sign Up for a Free Goal Setting Guide 

Want to watch? Episodes now available on YouTube!

Join me for your best year yet at The Water's Edge.

Questions, comments, feedback, or if you'd like to be a guest, email 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.

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Feeling inspired? Sign Up for a Free Goal Setting Guide 

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Join me for your best year yet at The Water's Edge.

Bernhard Hengl is an (wannabe) ultra-marathon swimmer, keynote speaker, and former captain of the Austrian national water polo team. Years after overcoming cancer, he founded The Alpine Seven – a series of long-distance swims across seven iconic Alpine lakes. His mission: to raise awareness for people living with illness. Illness is not a taboo!

In 2025, he became the first Austrian to swim the full length of Lake Constance – 65 km in just under 26 hours. With his message “High Performance starts with Resilience,” he now inspires people and organizations to transform resilience into true high performance.

https://bernhardhengl.com/

https://www.nfkinder.at/unterstuetzen/alpine7/?cfd=94lok#cff

Questions, comments, feedback, or if you'd like to be a guest, email 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 a text

Feeling inspired? Sign Up for a Free Goal Setting Guide 

Want to watch? Episodes now available on YouTube!

Questions, comments, feedback, or if you'd like to be a guest, email 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 a text

Feeling inspired? Sign Up for a Free Goal Setting Guide 

Want to watch? Episodes now available on YouTube!

Questions, comments, feedback, or if you'd like to be a guest, email 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 a text

Feeling inspired? Sign Up for a Free Goal Setting Guide 

Want to watch? Episodes now available on YouTube!

Questions, comments, feedback, or if you'd like to be a guest, email 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 a text

Feeling inspired? Sign Up for a Free Goal Setting Guide 

Want to watch? Episodes now available on YouTube!

Questions, comments, feedback, or if you'd like to be a guest, email 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 a text

Feeling inspired? Sign Up for a Free Goal Setting Guide 

Want to watch? Episodes now available on YouTube!

Questions, comments, feedback, or if you'd like to be a guest, email me!

Marathon Swim Stories 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 a text

Feeling inspired? Sign Up for a Free Goal Setting Guide 

Want to watch? Episodes now available on YouTube!

Questions, comments, feedback, or if you'd like to be a guest, email me!

Marathon Swim Stories 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