What happens when a fun runner decides the next challenge isn't about pushing harder, but about being gentler?

Casey Stewart Smith ran two London Marathons. Then perimenopause hit, and running became too much. So she made a radical choice to train for something that was more gentle on her body. She signed up to swim two miles in the Serpentine despite only ever swimming recreationally.

What started as a physical challenge became a lesson in self compassion, especially after receiving her ADHD diagnosis mid-journey.

In this episode you'll learn:

• The mental strategy to go from 10 laps to 120
• Exactly how open water swimming is different to swimming in a pool
• How to work with ADHD not against it when training
• The subtle shift that transforms both your training and your race day

This one's for you if you're tired of fitness culture telling you to go harder, faster or stronger, if your brain works differently and standard training plans just don't fit, or if you just want permission to be kinder to yourself.

Casey's story proves you don't have to compete with yourself to achieve incredible things. Sometimes the bravest choice is softness.

Find out more about Casey @caseystewartsmith

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