Unstoppable Spirit: A Conversation with Diana Nyad on Resilience, Dreams, and the Power of Perseverance
“Never give up. Mediocre dreams teach you nothing about yourself. When you set the bar high and are brave enough to fail, you learn who you are and what you’re capable of.” — Diana Nyad
I had the pleasure to talk with Diana Nyad. Diana, an American long-distance swimmer, author, journalist, and motivational speaker, has carved a niche for herself in the annals of swimming history and beyond. Nyad’s most notable achievement came in 2013, at age 64, when she became the first person to swim from Havana, Cuba, to Key West, Florida, without a shark cage, a feat covering 110 miles and completed in 53 hours. This accomplishment, on her fifth attempt, was a testament to her indomitable spirit and resilience. Beyond her swimming achievements, Nyad has made significant contributions to journalism and broadcasting, with a career spanning three decades. Her efforts to inspire others extend to her founding of EverWalk, encouraging national fitness, and her engagement in public speaking, where she shares her journey and the lessons learned. Her story has been celebrated in popular culture, notably in the Netflix biopic “Nyad,” where Annette Bening’s portrayal of Diana and the film’s global acclaim have further solidified her legacy. Nyad was honored by Stonewall National Museum, Archives, & Library for her commitment and courage in the face of outsized obstacles.
Yitzi: It’s a delight and an honor to meet you. Before we dive into our interview, our readers would love to learn about your personal origin story. Can you share with us the story of your childhood and how you grew up?
Diana: I was born in New York City to two foreign parents. My mother was French, and my father was Greek Egyptian. I was very lucky to grow up surrounded by different languages, cultures, and ways of looking at the world, which gave me a broader perspective than just a narrow American viewpoint. I was closely acquainted with art and music from a young age. Then, when I was seven, my mother moved us to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Suddenly, there was the ocean and the horizon. Interestingly, when I was nine, the Cuban revolution happened, and Cuban exiles had to leave their country within 24 hours with whatever cash they could carry. They came to Miami and Fort Lauderdale, and overnight, we were immersed in Cuban culture, food, salsa, and language. This mystique captivated me. At that time, I was a competitive pool swimmer and quite good for my age. Standing on the shore with my French mother, I tried to see Cuba but couldn’t. When I asked where it was, my mother told me it was just across the horizon, so close that I, a little champion swimmer, could almost swim there. That idea lodged itself in the back of my imagination. Later, in my twenties, as an open water swimming champion holding records, including around Manhattan Island, I began to think about that childhood vision. Maybe one day, I could actually swim there.
Yitzi: Could you share the story of how you became a journalist? How did that start?
Diana: I’ve always viewed great journalism as great storytelling. When we look at the great writers in the world of sports, like Dan Jenkins, a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer for Sports Illustrated, he often started his articles with, “Let me tell you a little story.” This tradition of storytelling, which dates back to when we lived in caves and told stories around the campfire, has always attracted me to journalism. It’s about telling a great story of courage, perseverance, or someone who, despite not having much talent, had a lot going for them. That’s why I became a sports journalist, to tell these inviting, inspiring, and engaging stories, whether through radio, on camera, or in writing. Now, I travel the world, speaking in front of corporate audiences to inspire their employees to aspire to more. But instead of lecturing from a podium, I tell a story. A few years ago, I was off Broadway at the Minetta Lane Theater in New York, sharing my Cuba swim story in an engaging way that draws the audience along with me. I learned from Bud Greenspan, a wonderful documentary filmmaker, to tell stories in the present tense. He would talk about historical events as if they were happening right now, making you feel like you’re there. Inspired by Greenspan, I adopt this approach in my storytelling. So, when I talk about my experiences, I don’t say it was 10 years ago; I make it present, inviting the audience to stand with me on the shore of Havana, Cuba, looking out toward Florida. Storytelling has always been at the heart of why I’m drawn to journalism.
Yitzi: Unbelievable. It’s been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Do you have a story about a humorous mistake that you made when you were first starting, either as a professional swimmer or as a journalist? And if you could share the lesson that you learned from that?
Diana: Well, it might not fall exactly into the category of humorous, but it’s well known that I attempted the Cuba swim over 35 years. Those attempts included four epic failures. And each time, much like any expedition on Mother Earth, whether it’s climbing Mount Everest or snowshoeing across Antarctica, if you fail, you return with new intelligence, new science, a new way to tap into the human spirit. So, every time our team didn’t make it — 51 hours on one attempt, Mother Nature on steroids kept us from succeeding. 48 hours on another, yet another failure. But to me, it’s reminiscent of the ancient Greeks who valued the journey. They would set sail, sometimes spending a lifetime without reaching their destination. But it’s the journey that matters, just like life. Every day we’re on a journey, and one day we’ll reach the end, but it’s not the day of our death that’s our destination. It’s what we learn along the way. So, those failures, each time on the Cuba swim, were not only wonderful journeys of friendship and discovery, pushing us to tap into our full potential, but they were also steep learning curves. When we finally embarked on the fifth attempt, we took all those failures, all that information and learning, and it served us well. It helped us finally reach the other shore.
Yitzi: So, you’re the personification of resilience and persistence. Playing devil’s advocate for a moment, some argue that it’s important to know when to fold your cards, to avoid throwing good money after bad, and to recognize when it’s time to pivot. How does one determine whether to persist or to pivot?
Diana: You’re right. It is a fine line, isn’t it? And it’s not just about me. Now, I’m involving 40 other people. That’s how many are on this team. They’ve never been paid; these are highly skilled professionals in their fields, including the shark experts of the tropics and Dr. Angel Yanagihara, the leading scientist in the world on the deadly box jellyfish. For them to dedicate their time and expertise to help someone achieve their dream, the question arises: when is it enough? Can I ask them again? Am I being selfish by attempting this repeatedly, to the point of neglecting to learn other lessons or explore other paths in life besides swimming from Cuba to Florida? There has to be some grace involved. I had a friend who passed away from cancer at 38, leaving behind a husband and three children. They fought hard, exploring every treatment option available, but ultimately she lost her battle. Towards the end, her ability to embrace her situation with grace, to not break down in front of her children, and to express gratitude for the 38 years she had, was incredibly moving. In those moments of acceptance, she earned even more respect from those who knew her than during her fight. Recognizing when to find that grace is crucial.
Yitzi: That’s fantastic. You said a profound thing, which is that persistence takes enormous strength, but sometimes also the ability to know when to have grace also takes strength. So, really, both are acts of strength. It’s a profound thing.
Diana: No, I agree. I had very close friends. My dear friend Candace Hogan, who I’ve known for 48 years, said before the fifth attempt, “There’s no shame. This isn’t quitting. It’s coming to a realization that you’re spending more than you should. You’re spending more of your spirit, of your life on this goal. And at some point, you will have the courage to let go.” It turned out I didn’t need that. I was in Brooklyn right after the successful swim at a school, talking to first through eighth graders. Each class had a kid who was assigned to ask me a question in front of the whole assembly. A third grader named Joaquin, dressed up with his hair combed perfectly, asked if I would have continued trying the swim even if I hadn’t made it this time. I asked him if he knew what the word ‘moot’ meant, as in a question that doesn’t pertain. An eighth grader explained it meant it’s silly to ask that question now because I did make it. Joaquin took a moment and then asked again if I would have tried again. I told him I could say I would have gone to the day I died trying that swim, but honestly, if I had failed a fifth time, I think I would have found the courage to leave it alone, be proud of all that we put into it, all that we learned about ourselves, and moved on to a new dream.
Yitzi: That’s so profound. That’s a whole new spin on your story. I once heard that people who win Oscars within their 20s, it’s almost like a curse because they feel like they can never repeat that. Do you feel like there’s something bigger you’re going to strive for? Do you feel like, “Oh, I can never do that again, and I’ve already passed the peak of my dreams?”
Diana: You know, in the world of sports, I was lucky because I came back in my 60s to chase this dream that I didn’t even accomplish when I was in my 20s. But as a general rule, it’s part of what you might call the tragedy of sports, that you achieve your biggest height when you’re very young. You might be a teenager, but you’re certainly going to be in your 20s or 30s. You’re not going to be in your 50s, 60s, or 70s as a world-class athlete. And then you say to yourself, like I say to myself now, “I don’t want the Cuba swim to be the biggest thing I’ve ever done.” And how can I go against the grain of reality? That was the biggest thing I ever did, in terms of an epic achievement and nobody else ever doing it. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t private moments when you say goodbye to a 38-year-old friend who died of cancer. That’s a big moment. So I’m not talking about the softer, deeper moments of life. But in terms of your outward goals and activities, I’m sure that nothing will be as big for me as arriving on that beach. So what do I do? That was 10 years ago. I’m 74 now, and you have to get real with your age. You are your age. I’m closer to the end than I am to the beginning of this life. But at 74, I still have a lot of vitality. I still have big dreams. But are they anywhere near as high octane as swimming across that ocean and finally reaching that other shore? No. So I have to say to myself, “What can make me feel just as alive as doing that swim, even though it won’t be as high octane?” And what I do, Yitzi, is I go to sleep every night and say to myself, “You know what? You don’t get to do that day again. That day is over.” So I ask myself every night, “Did I do everything I could that day to make myself proud? Did I help any other person? Did I look out at the horizon of the ocean and appreciate this blue planet we live on? What have I done with that day because I don’t get to do it over again?” So that’s where I am, maybe not living that huge public epic moment again, but living the biggest life I can day by day.
Yitzi: Were there times during your swim when you felt that your life was in danger? For example, did any sharks come close to you?
Diana: Forget about the sharks. What you really wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy is a sting from the box jellyfish. There are thousands of jellyfish species, many of which are unpleasant. I’ve been stung by Portuguese men-of-war many times, but those stings are not usually fatal. However, the box jellyfish is a different story. When its tentacle, which is thinner than a human hair, touches you, it’s devastating. They call it the perfect killing machine because no spider or snake can kill as quickly with its venom. This is known as the Irukandji syndrome. I experienced my spinal cord paralyzing, went into anaphylactic shock, and couldn’t breathe. I was desperately calling out for help, fearing I was going to die. Surprisingly, I survived that night, despite experts saying I shouldn’t have. After that experience, sharks seemed less threatening. They’re mostly curious, attracted by the low-frequency vibrations humans make in water. Still, we didn’t take any chances. We used electronic shields to create protective electric fields and had divers ready to intervene with PVC piping if necessary. We respected sharks but my real fear was the box jellyfish. That led us to take extraordinary precautions, like consulting with experts and designing a special face mask, which was hard to swim in, and wearing protective gear at night, which adds resistance and makes swimming more difficult. But it was all necessary to protect against the jellyfish, especially since they’re more active at night. Sharks might have been a concern, but the box jellyfish was my main fear.
Yitzi: So my follow-up question is, when you face death or the possibility of death, what did you do to move on, to not let it paralyze you? Did you think, “Okay, I’ll be lucky and it won’t happen to me,” or did you accept the possibility that you may lose your life and move on? What did you do to not be paralyzed by the fear of death?
Diana: I think that anyone who engages in dangerous activities, like climbing the big mountains — Annapurna, K2, Everest — or running across the Sahara desert, or even racing cars at 220 miles an hour, becomes intelligent because knowledge brings power. The more you know, the more empowered you are. For instance, when we brought Angel Yanagihara on board, our understanding of the jellyfish we encountered improved significantly. We learned about their behavior, their habitat, and how to navigate through them, which led us to design protective gear like the mask and suit. Similarly, soldiers in war gather intelligence and develop protective systems to minimize harm. While there’s always a risk of injury, having comprehensive knowledge and preparations can offer comfort. It’s about not taking foolish risks but being as prepared as possible. Additionally, the drive to pursue these endeavors, despite the risk of death, must be overpowering. My team and I, since our first attempt in 1978, have consistently gathered knowledge to overcome obstacles, not all of which were life-threatening, like currents that could prevent us from reaching our goal. This base of knowledge gives you confidence that you’re taking controlled risks for something you’re deeply passionate about.
Yitzi: This is the signature question that we ask in all of our interviews. Diana, your personification of believing in yourself and taking the leap is inspiring. Can you share with our readers a few things they can do to learn to believe in themselves?
Diana:
- Well, let me start with this: never give up. We all fail. Have you ever met a 90-year-old who claims their life was just a bowl full of cherries? No, we all suffer through heartache, challenges, and tragedies. Take successful people as examples. Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in his jail cell but he never gave up. He knew he was going to represent his people and try to eradicate racism in South Africa. Successful people from the realms of science, religion, sports, and beyond will tell you that success requires talent, luck, timing, and a supportive team. But above all, you need persistence. You will get knocked down, but you must get back up and keep moving forward.
- I also believe in dreaming big. Mediocre dreams teach you nothing about yourself. When you set the bar high and are brave enough to fail, you learn who you are and what you’re capable of. It might involve failing and getting back up repeatedly, but eventually, you’ll achieve your dreams with enough resilience and persistence.
- Teams are crucial too. The saying “no man is an island” rings true. You can’t achieve anything significant alone. I couldn’t have reached the other shore without my team, including Bonnie, my leader, and the 40 people who supported me. We made history together, not just me.
Yitzi: Diana, because of your amazing work and the platform you’ve built, you’re a person of enormous influence. Many people take your words very seriously, and many look up to you. If you could spread an idea or inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?
Diana: You know, I’m not the only one feeling overwhelmed by the fact that today there are 8 billion people living on planet Earth, with roughly half lacking enough water to drink daily or a roof over their heads. So, I believe we should always be filled with gratitude. Look at this beautiful room I’m sitting in. I’m not extremely wealthy, but I live comfortably and have nice things. I get to travel the world and learn from seeing people from different cultures and living conditions. I think we should always remember there are people who have less than we do and think about how we can help. Can you help the homeless here in LA in some small way? Bonnie and I regularly deliver blankets, water bottles, and socks to the homeless in LA. Does that solve the problem? No, but it’s better than locking our doors and ignoring those in need. We need to remember we’re all part of a large human family. Billions of people have lived before us, and billions will come after us. For the brief moment we’re here, we should recognize our fortune if we have a lot and remember many people have nothing. What can we do? Without becoming outright activists, I admire those like the young Greta Thunberg, who dedicate their lives to environmental causes. But I do my part. I avoid single-use plastic and won’t allow plastic bottles in my house to prevent ocean pollution. That’s my message today. Just remember, there are people who have less than we do. Do something for them.
Yitzi: Diana, are you working on any exciting projects, anything you’d like to tell readers about?
Diana: First off, my friend Bonnie Stoll has been my best friend for 44 years. She led the Cuban expedition and was a world-class athlete herself. Our story is unique in sports history. When we were younger, I coached her, and now, in our sixties, our roles have reversed. Together, we run a national walking initiative called Ever Walk. Our mission is to encourage people to walk the Earth, to experience the world on foot, looking up at the blue sky and imagining who we can be. We advocate for walking instead of driving for short distances, like going to get the newspaper. It’s empowering to use your legs to appreciate our planet.
I’m also writing my first series of middle school books. The series, titled “You’re Never Too Young to Chase Your Dreams,” is inspired by the idea that you’re never too old to pursue your aspirations. The first book features Darwin, a nine-year-old science prodigy who doesn’t want to wait until she’s older to become a world-class scientist; she wants to start now. I hope this series inspires young readers. I receive messages from children around the world, from China to Chile and across the United States, who find inspiration in my story. It’s incredibly meaningful to me that kids dress up as me for school not because they want to be swimmers or athletes, but because they want to dream big. I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to inspire others, especially later in my life.
Yitzi: How can our readers continue to follow your work and how can they support you in any possible way?
Diana: I have a website, and though I try not to spend too much time on social media, I find myself active on Instagram and Facebook. These platforms allow me to connect with a broader audience. People reach out to me with personal stories, not just to admire my work, but to share their own experiences. It’s deeply meaningful to me.
And if I may ask, with all your accomplishments and your role as a rabbi and journalist, do people ever tell you that you remind them of Robert De Niro?
Yitzi: Absolutely. Yeah, I’ve heard that a bunch of times.
Diana: You have a very similar mouth, eyes, and expression. You could be his understudy in his next movie, I’m telling you.
Yitzi: It’s funny, I know his publicist, Stan Rosenfield. I’ve been trying to interview Robert De Niro but haven’t succeeded yet. Maybe this will push it over the edge.
Diana: Yeah, send him a video of you, and he’ll say, “Oh my God, he’s my twin.”
Yitzi: I’m very honored. It’s been such a joy to meet you. I’m inspired by our conversation, your idealism, and your inspiration. I wish you continued success, good health, and for all your future dreams to come true.
Diana: Thank you, you’re very kind. I enjoyed this too. I don’t accept many interviews anymore because I want to live my life rather than just talk about the past, but I accepted yours because of what I’ve read about you. And now, I’m glad I did. You’re very interesting, very humble, and thank you for giving me so much respect.
Yitzi: You’re so nice. I’m very grateful for your time, Diana. I hope you have a great trip tonight and that you stay healthy.
Diana: Thank you. Shalom.
Yitzi: Shalom to you as well. Thank you so much, my friend.
Unstoppable Spirit: A Conversation with Diana Nyad on Resilience, Dreams, and the Power of… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.