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.

Johnson’s Bay stripped me down. Cold, shaking, slipping. My crew’s hot water and fire kept me alive.

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.

Looking to start running but don’t know where to begin? The free Couch to 5K program by Jace Morgan is designed for beginners who want to build endurance safely and steadily. With an easy-to-follow 8-week plan, walk/jog intervals, training tips, and a supportive app, this program makes running accessible to everyone. Whether you’re overcoming challenges or just starting your fitness journey, this program will help you run your first 5K with confidence.

Running doesn’t just strengthen your lungs — it sharpens your soul. Out there, with no crowd, no applause, and nothing but your footsteps and the voice in your head, you learn who you really are. It’s not about cardio. It’s about character.