Diana Nyad, "It's Never Too Late to Start Your Dreams!"
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Get Inspired and Live Life to the Fullest! Diana Nyad, "It's Never too Late to Start Your Dreams!" Her eyes stung and her muscles ached as Diana swam through the rise and fall of the high waves inside the steel shark cage wondering how much more could she take. "I will not quit," she told herself; she was determined to endure. It wasn't the swimming that was conquering her, but rather the continued pounding of her body against the steel cage as the waves tossed her side to side like a rag doll and pushed her off course. At 42 hours and 76 miles from where she started, she abandoned her attempt at the world's longest recorded swim. It was 1978, she was 28 years old and this was Diana Nyad's first attempt at swimming the 110 mile stretch from Havana, Cuba to Key West, Florida. Although she moved on with her life, her competitive spirit never let her forget this failed attempt and she dreamed of one day swimming this challenging stretch of ocean. 33 years later, Diana dove into the warm waters of the Caribbean to finish what she started. This was her second attempt and it too ended in failure after 29 hours of swimming, again being blown off course as well as suffering asthma attacks. Several months later, she tried for her third time and made it 67 miles but was unable to overcome attacks from box jellyfish that were stinging her arms and legs, eventually sending her into respiratory distress. A year later, in 2012, Diana tried a fourth time and made it farther than her 3 previous tries, but was again taken out of the water after 9 jellyfish stings and the threat of bad storms moving in. Success: Finally, while protected from jellyfish by a silicone mask, a full bodysuit, gloves and booties, Diane conquered her lifelong nemesis. On the morning of August 31, 2013, after 53 hours and 110 miles of swimming, she crawled up the sands of Key West, Florida, victorious. When asked about her motivation for completing the swim, she replied, "Because I'd like to prove to the other 60- year-olds that it is never too late to start your dreams." This inspirational story challenges our thoughts about what we think is possible in our lives. Many of us are held back by what we can't do, or think we can't do. At BVPT, we believe that anything is possible. Don't let injury, pain, disability or functional impairment get in the way of living your life to the fullest. So jump in the water, start swimming and let us help you change your life. Call us now for a consult. No prescription necessary. FEEL BETTER. Blue Valley Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine 151st and Metcalf: 913-897-1100 K10 and Ridgeview: 913-599-4600 New Clinic at 119th and Quivira: 913-563-5500 Opens November 30th, 2015 Visit our Webstite at bluevalleypt.com.