52. Catherine Breed and Erin on Effort, Mindset and Ultra-Endurance Swimming

As we wrap up our deep dive on Fulfillment Concept #1: Happiness vs. Fulfillment, I’m thrilled to welcome water woman, adventurer and ultra-endurance swimmer Catherine Breed to the podcast. Our conversation covers a breadth of topics from how the ocean is her safe space, the importance of surrounding yourself with people who support and inspire you, and breaking free from norms and limitations. As she says, “Whatever your pool, whatever your black line is that you’ve been following and not feeling fulfilled following it, maybe it’s time to go beyond that”.

Catherine reminds us that we get to do things. Not want to or have to, but get to. It’s a privilege. My favourite part of our conversation was after we’d built her equation and she realized she was fully living it. She describes how it’s not by chance and reminds us that fulfillment takes some effort, but it’s worth the work.

Of course, Catherine is an expert in the difference between happiness and fulfillment as it’s impossible to be happy every moment of a long-distance swim when you’re battling strong currents, white caps, frigid water, jellyfish and sharks. Yet as Catherine says, “my swims aren’t always fun or joyful, but they give me fulfillment”.

Together, we build Catherine's equation: 12ff + 7S + 4n + 5W + g + 7SL