Amy Gubser

Amy Gubser, is an extraordinary 56-year-old grandmother who this year became the first person ever to complete an unassisted swim from the Golden Gate Bridge in SF to the Farallon Islands - a 30-mile stretch of cold, shark-infested waters off the California coast. Moreover, what makes this achievement even more remarkable is that Amy only started her marathon swimming journey aged 46.

Throughout a fascinating conversation, Amy describes her path from early morning swims in San Francisco Bay through increasingly arduous challenges, including consequently crossing the treacherous North Channel between Ireland and Scotland. Furthermore, Amy shares her insights into the physical and mental preparation required for ultra-marathon swimming, from nutrition strategies to managing the understandable fear of great white sharks and jellyfish swarms.

In addition to her swimming achievements, Amy discusses how her work as a nurse has informed her mental toughness, the importance of breaking age-related stereotypes, and as a result, her mission to inspire others - especially women - to pursue ambitious goals at any age.

With upcoming swims planned for Scotland's deep and mysterious Loch Ness, therefore Amy is proof that human potential knows no bounds when matched with determination, careful preparation, and above all her simple mantra: 'I can do hard things.'

Amy's story is an inspiring reminder that it's never too late to pursue extraordinary achievements. Note to self! Now over to Amy.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

03:10 Who is Amy as a Human?

05:35 Childhood and Family Background

10:48 Early Swimming and Lifeguarding

14:26 Nursing Career and Mental Toughness

26:12 Rediscovering Swimming

33:24 First Marathon Swim: Gibraltar Straits

35:59 Conquering Lake Tahoe

37:20 The North Channel Challenge

39:24 Molokai to Oahu Swim

39:56 Local Swims and Challenges

40:47 The Alcatraz Swim

42:15 Manhattan Island Swim

45:23 Nutrition and Hydration Strategies

53:18 Facing the Farallon Islands

55:34 Shark and Jellyfish Encounters

01:01:32 Mental and Physical Endurance

01:06:24 Inspiration and Future Goals

01:11:11 Advice for Aspiring Swimmers

01:18:04 Final Thoughts and Inspirations

Social posts

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/amygubser92?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Links in show

Books:

"The Devil's Teeth" (Book about the Farallon Islands mentioned as inspiration)

- "Tough Broads" by Caroline Paul (Recent book Amy highly recommends)

- Young Woman in the Sea (About Trudy Ederle, first woman to swim the English Channel)

Films/Media:

Documentary about Mercedes Gleitze

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Impossible Network, Mark interviews Noam, a pioneering psychotherapist and co-founder of VidaVii. Noam's captivating journey from his upbringing on a kibbutz near the Gaza border to establishing a wellness technology hub in London is explored in depth. The conversation touches on communal living, military service, corporate culture, and the importance of authenticity. Noam shares insights on navigating childhood and parenting in different eras, the impact of social media on mental health, and the potential future challenges for children growing up in isolated environments. Noam also highlights the integration of body-centered psychotherapy, the concept of 'befriending vulnerability,' and innovative wellness treatments like cryotherapy and breathwork. Mark and Noam discuss the shift from symptomatic treatment to preventative health through biohacking, AI-driven health suggestions, and the significance of a balanced approach to life following the 80/20 rule. Noam also shares his personal stories of emotional resilience, and the harrowing yet inspiring account of Noam's mother's kidnapping and release by Hamas, and his hope for peace amidst global conflicts.

TimeCodes

00:00 Introduction

01:14 Who is Noam as a human?

04:26 The Kibbutz Experience

08:10 Reflections on Childhood and Group Dynamics

21:06 Transition to Adulthood and Military Service

22:12 Career Shift to Psychotherapy

35:48 Founding VidaVi1: A Wellness Tech Venture

48:02 Innovative Health Solutions for Everyone

49:04 The Power of Cryotherapy: Real-Life Stories

50:06 Bringing Nature's Best to Urban Centers

50:41 The Science Behind Dry Cryotherapy

53:00 Personalized Health and Wellness

01:07:20 The Future of Health: AI and Technology

01:17:45 Personal Reflections and Inspirations

01:27:24 A Personal Story of Resilience and Hope

01:42:47 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Social Links

Vidavii

Linkedin

Links in the show

Cure" (or "Cured") by Dr. Jeff Rediger - specifically recommended by Noam for understanding medicine and wellness

Outlive" by Peter Attia - mentioned in discussion but not specifically recommended

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to the start of Season 6 of The Impossible Network.

Today’s guest is Denzil Monk, a filmmaker, social entrepreneur, and accidental academic. Denzil is dedicated to reshaping the narrative for his home region of Cornwall, England, advocating for a more inclusive and regenerative approach to media, culture, and the economy. From advocating for Cornish public service media

Impactful film productions to pioneering the ideas like Man Engine, the largest performing mechanical puppet ever created in Britain, Denzil’s work is rooted in a deep sense of place, purpose, and the power of storytelling. In this episode, we explore his journey, his thoughts on the need to rethink capitalism, and the impact local communities can have on the global stage.

Thanks to Stephen Davies for the connection.

Now over to Denzil.

Time stamps

01:21 Who is Denzil?

07:15 The Impact of the 1980s on Denzil's Worldview

08:42 Cornish Identity and the Mining Heritage

09:51 The Global Connection and Local Responsibility

12:59 Denzil's Journey into Social Entrepreneurship

22:32 Advocating for Cornish Public Service Media

30:45 Reimagining Economic Systems and Local Empowerment

47:53 The Role of Storytelling in Social Change

50:31 The Power of Connections

51:10 Journey into Academia

54:12 Creating Bocena Productions

56:03 Sustainable Filmmaking

01:08:51 The Man Engine Project

01:19:56 Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers

01:22:23 Personal Reflections and Inspirations

01:23:37 Quick Fire Questions

01:32:40 Final Thoughts

Social Media

Denzil’s Website

Bosena

LinkedIn

Instagram

Show Links

Books

“The Dawn of Everything” by David Graeber and David Wengrow

“Donut Economics” by Kate Raworth

Films and Documentaries:

“The Corporation”

“Manufacturing Consent” by Noam Chomsky

“Dreams” by Akira Kurosawa

“Memoria” by Apichatpong Weerasethakul

“Kneecap”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.