From the Pool to Necker Island

How I’m Training for the Strive X Challenge (and Actually Loving It)

If you had told me a year ago I’d be getting up before sunrise to swim laps, I probably would’ve laughed. Swimming? Me? Not a chance. It always seemed like one of those sports you had to start as a kid. But here I am, three early mornings a week, sliding into that cool water and absolutely loving it.

It started as part of my training for the Strive X Challenge, which takes place this October on Necker Island. The event is intense: open-water swimming, biking, hiking, kayaking you name it. A full-body, full-heart kind of week designed to push you physically while raising money for Big Change, a nonprofit founded by Richard Branson’s kids and nephew that’s focused on transforming education systems around the world. (How’s that for purpose-driven adventure?)

So yeah, swimming. I began with zero expectations, figuring I’d just try not to drown. But something shifted. The rhythm of the water, the way my breath synced with my body, the stillness in my mind, it’s become meditative. Healing. Strong. I feel it in every cell of my body.

And then there’s Stan. He’s this wonderful older gentleman who swims at the same pool and, honestly, has become my stroke angel. He notices everything, my hand placement, my hip rotation, even when I’m holding tension in my jaw. He’s taken me under his wing, always offering tips and encouragement, and it’s made all the difference. That kind of unexpected kindness? It just hits you in the best way.

Beyond swimming, I’m mountain biking two days a week, sweaty climbs, fast descents, and those moments when you’re halfway up a hill questioning your life choices. And of course, I’ve kept up my Mantra sessions twice a week to stay strong, grounded, and mobile. My body feels dialed in, leaner, more alive, and I’ve built this balanced rhythm I genuinely enjoy.

But what really lights me up is how much community has come out of this. From Stan at the pool to the fellow riders who share trails and laughs, to my team at Mantra, this training has become more than physical prep. It’s a reminder that showing up for yourself often opens the door to showing up with others.

Now, let’s talk about Strive X. This event isn’t just a high-end endurance week on a private island (although, yes, that part’s pretty epic). It’s a mission. Every mile we move, every stroke we swim, is raising funds for Big Change, a nonprofit that’s helping reshape education systems to meet the real needs of today’s kids. Richard Branson’s family started Strive years ago as a way to combine adventure with impact, and it’s raised millions for innovative learning initiatives across the globe. These are the kinds of conversations and causes that matter to me deeply.

So, while part of me is definitely nervous about that open-water swim, another part of me, maybe the braver, more joyful part, is ready. I never thought swimming would become something I loved. I never thought it would feel this good. But that’s the beauty of saying yes to something that scares you a little. You find out what else is waiting for you on the other side.

Here’s to breath, movement, friendship, and showing up. Necker Island, let’s do this.