Lucy Charles-Barclay thought her swimming career was over at 18.

She had been next in line for a spot on Great Britain’s Olympic team for London 2012, but only one swimmer was selected. After finishing fourth in Britain and realizing she felt almost nothing about it, Lucy walked away from swimming and stayed away from the Olympic pool for five years.

Then she signed up for a full Ironman despite barely knowing how to ride a bike or run.

Today, Lucy is a Red Bull athlete, an Ironman World Champion, and the Kona course record holder with a time of 8:24:31.

On this episode of Sons and Daughters, Shannon Spake talks with Lucy about the Olympic disappointment that changed the direction of her career and the unlikely path that followed. She shares the letter she got as a kid telling her she was too good for her swim club, why she avoided the Olympic pool for years, and how her swim at her first Ironman World Championship was so fast that a pro thought she had cheated.

Lucy also talks about her rivalry with Daniela Ryf, the heat training that ruined saunas for her, running 35K on a treadmill during a sandstorm, and what she'd tell her 18-year-old self.

If you've ever had something you've worked your whole life for suddenly disappear, this one's for you.

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