EPISODE · Mar 23, 2026 · 2H 49M
From “Nobody” to Ice Swimming World Champion - John Myatt
from Project Possible with Rich Leigh · host Rich Leigh
John Myatt is an ice swimming world champion, English Channel swimmer, and extreme endurance athlete who went from a chaotic, violent childhood in Gloucester to achieving things very few humans on earth ever will.He’s:- An Ice Swimming World Champion- One of a small number of people on the planet to complete an official Ice Mile- A two-way English Channel swimmer, and also part of the first winter English Channel Relay- One half of the first-ever 2-man, 2-way English Channel swim (a world-first achievement)- A Guinness World Record holder- An endurance athlete who has completed extreme challenges including 24-mile continuous swim formats, multi-hour cold exposure swims, and ultra-distance open water eventsBut that’s only half the story.While living in a home marked by violence, fear, and instability, swimming became his escape.A scholarship gave him a shot.Then he walked away from it all.For over 20 years.At nearly 40, feeling lost, drinking heavily, and convinced he’d achieved nothing… he decided to start again.What followed was a journey into some of the most extreme environments on earth. Freezing water, hypothermia, mental battles, and ultimately… becoming a world champion.This is a conversation about trauma and resilience. Discipline and obsession. How environments shapes identities and what’s possible when you decide to change your life.If you enjoy this episode, consider sharing it with someone who needs a reminder that it’s never too late to start again.Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richleighpod=====Interviews that might just change your life. And if not…? You’ll probably enjoy them anyway.While we're all trying to be better versions of ourselves, this podcast asks: 'what's truly possible?'Project Possible, hosted by me, Rich Leigh, explores this with incredible guests from the world of business, sport, entertainment and academia.Between the second and third series, I made the decision to go full-time on this show.I sold my successful 10 year old PR agency after my youngest brother Jordan took his own life. I realised that I needed to run towards passion, purpose and positive impact, and my dream of this being my career.Possibilists, pull up a pew.=====Sign up now to the free weekly newsletter at https://projectpossible.substack.com for behind the scenes, giveaways, ways to get involved and more.=====Email: [email protected]The Project Possible website: http://www.projectpossiblepod.com
What this episode covers
John Myatt is an ice swimming world champion, English Channel swimmer, and extreme endurance athlete who went from a chaotic, violent childhood in Gloucester to achieving things very few humans on earth ever will.He’s:- An Ice Swimming World Champion- One of a small number of people on the planet to complete an official Ice Mile- A two-way English Channel swimmer, and also part of the first winter English Channel Relay- One half of the first-ever 2-man, 2-way English Channel swim (a world-first achievement)- A Guinness World Record holder- An endurance athlete who has completed extreme challenges including 24-mile continuous swim formats, multi-hour cold exposure swims, and ultra-distance open water eventsBut that’s only half the story.While living in a home marked by violence, fear, and instability, swimming became his escape.A scholarship gave him a shot.Then he walked away from it all.For over 20 years.At nearly 40, feeling lost, drinking heavily, and convinced he’d achieved nothing… he decided to start again.What followed was a journey into some of the most extreme environments on earth. Freezing water, hypothermia, mental battles, and ultimately… becoming a world champion.This is a conversation about trauma and resilience. Discipline and obsession. How environments shapes identities and what’s possible when you decide to change your life.If you enjoy this episode, consider sharing it with someone who needs a reminder that it’s never too late to start again.Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richleighpod=====Interviews that might just change your life. And if not…? You’ll probably enjoy them anyway.While we're all trying to be better versions of ourselves, this podcast asks: 'what's truly possible?'Project Possible, hosted by me, Rich Leigh, explores this with incredible guests from the world of business, sport, entertainment and academia.Between the second and third series, I made the decision to go full-time on this show.I sold my successful 10 year old PR agency after my youngest brother Jordan took his own life. I realised that I needed to run towards passion, purpose and positive impact, and my dream of this being my career.Possibilists, pull up a pew.=====Sign up now to the free weekly newsletter at https://projectpossible.substack.com for behind the scenes, giveaways, ways to get involved and more.=====Email: [email protected]The Project Possible website: http://www.projectpossiblepod.com
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From “Nobody” to Ice Swimming World Champion - John Myatt
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