American English Podcast

180.2 - Swimming from Cuba to Florida: Irregular Verb Story with Diana Nyad

Jan 22, 2025

Diana Nyad's incredible feat of swimming 110 miles from Cuba to Florida at age 64 is nothing short of inspiring. She faced brutal jellyfish stings, relentless currents, and spent 53 exhausting hours in open water. This story highlights the power of resilience and determination against all odds. Listeners also discover ten key irregular verbs woven throughout her journey and gain insights into the challenging world of open-water swimming, including the prestigious Triple Crown. It’s a combination of motivation and language learning.

39:45

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Quick takeaways

Diana Nyad's monumental 110-mile swim from Cuba to Florida at age 64 emphasizes that perseverance and determination can overcome seemingly impossible challenges.

The podcast offers insights into the rigorous preparation and training required for open-water swimming, highlighting its demanding nature and the strategic planning involved.

Deep dives

Diana Nyad's Historic Swim

Diana Nyad's remarkable journey from Havana, Cuba, to Key West, Florida, showcased her incredible endurance and determination. At 64 years old, she undertook this 110-mile swim without a shark cage, a feat previously deemed impossible. Despite numerous obstacles, including powerful currents, jellyfish stings, and severe asthma, Nyad's unwavering spirit pushed her forward. Her successful swim after four previous attempts not only set a world record but served as an inspiration that age is no barrier to pursuing dreams.

Intro

6min

Making History: An Endurance Swim from Cuba to Florida

20min

Swimming Against the Tide

6min

Exploring the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming

3min

Exploring the Thrills and Challenges of Open Water Swimming

3min

Have you ever heard of someone swimming 110 miles without a shark cage? That’s exactly what endurance swimmer Diana Nyad accomplished when she crossed the treacherous waters from Cuba to Florida at 64 years old. This week, we dive into her incredible story—a journey of resilience, determination, and grit. From battling jellyfish stings and strong currents to enduring 53 hours in open water, Diana’s achievement proves that "the impossible is possible."

In this episode, you'll not only hear Diana’s inspiring tale but also get a fun and engaging lesson on irregular verbs. We’ve woven 10 key irregular verbs into the story, and you’ll practice identifying and using them in context. Plus, you’ll learn some fascinating facts about open-water swimming, including the iconic Triple Crown of marathon swimming.

Stick around until the end for insights into Diana’s grueling preparation, her record-breaking swim, and why critics couldn’t believe her achievement. Whether you’re here to improve your English or draw inspiration from a story of human triumph, this episode has something for everyone. Don’t miss out! 🌊

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