On September 17, 2025, I became the first to complete a 17-mile open-water swim around Lake Wawasee. Nine hours and 20 minutes of endurance, hypothermia, and pure grit — cheered on by over 300 people from docks and boats. This Lap the Lake journey is more than a swim — it’s the beginning of my book, Beyond the Buoy, a mile-by-mile story of pushing past limits and making history.

Last week brought me to my knees. An upper respiratory infection hit me like a full-body shutdown—coughs, migraines, body aches, and endless mucus that left me feeling defeated and terrified I was losing everything I’d built. Each day out of the water felt like confidence slipping away.

Training log for August 26–27, featuring brand photoshoots, a track workout, trail running in the rain at Chain O’ Lakes, an 8k swim, surfing behind a new Malibu Wakesetter, mobility work, and podcasting. Discover the realness of daily endurance training, balancing running, swimming, recovery, and storytelling with vulnerability and inspiration.

From a 50-mile TT bike grind to a flawless trail run at Chain O’Lakes, today’s training was equal parts grit, recovery, and way too much arroz con pollo. Here’s how it all went down — plus the gear and lessons that are shaping Lap the Lake 2025.

Choppy water, hard miles, and homemade pizza. From a sunrise swim in 10-knot winds to a 20-mile ride fueled by Red Bull and Starbursts, today’s training mixed grit, family, and fun. Every stroke, every mile, and every laugh is bringing Lap the Lake 2025 closer.