Amy Gubser
Amy Gubser, initially a nurse by profession, 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.’
Subsequently, 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)
– Endurance – Antarctic exploration book
– Young Woman in the Sea (About Trudy Ederle, first woman to swim the English Channel)
Films/Media:
Documentary about Mercedes Gleitze
“Diana and I” (About Diana Nyad’s swim)
Organizations/Locations Mentioned
– The “Red Triangle” (San Francisco area known for shark activity)
– The North Channel (Between Ireland and Scotland)
