In this episode of The Mind Your Game podcast, co-hosts Dustin Donner and Dr. Mat are joined by special guest Grace van der Byl, a world-record-holding long-distance swimmer. Grace shares her exhilarating journey of swimming from Catalina to San Pedro and breaking records, only to face life-threatening challenges like stepping on a sea urchin and contracting MRSA. Grace delves into the mental toughness required for open water swimming, the significance of staying present, and her unique relationship with fear. She also discusses her major setbacks, including a near-death experience, and how they shaped her resilience and performance. Grace highlights the importance of owning one’s path, having a reliable support system, and maintaining accountability. The episode wraps up with insight into her relationship with Vito and an endorsement of Caddy Snacks, the official sponsor of the podcast. Perfect for athletes and anyone interested in high performance and mental fortitude, this episode offers invaluable lessons on pushing limits and achieving greatness.
00:00 Record-Breaking Swim and Unexpected Hospital Visit
00:30 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
00:57 Grace’s Training Environment and Community
03:09 The Mental Game in Sports
05:46 Facing Fear in Open Water Swimming
10:33 Embracing Challenges and Authentic Self
14:13 Handling Setbacks and Learning from Failure
22:41 Reframing Weakness and Continuing the Journey
26:04 Hallucinations and Hypothermia
27:13 Tropical Storm Hits Manhattan Swim
28:38 Near-Death Experience and Reflection
30:14 Lessons Learned and Moving Forward
31:59 Winning the Manhattan Swim
33:13 The Importance of Accountability
35:51 Meeting Vito and Night Train
40:40 Advice for Youth Athletes
47:17 Final Thoughts and Mentorship
