In 1926, Trudy Ederle dove into the cold, churning water determined to do what many said no woman could — and she didn’t just finish, she made history. Trudy became the first woman to swim the English Channel, smashing the men’s record by nearly two hours.

When the wind howled and the waves rose, someone from her support boat shouted for her to quit, to get out of the water. Her response has echoed through history:

“What for?”

In this episode, we explore Trudy’s extraordinary journey — not just the swim, but the grit, defiance, and quiet revolution it sparked. Joining me is acclaimed author Glenn Stout, whose book Young Woman and the Sea, inspired the Disney film of the same name. Glenn is a master storyteller — warm, deeply knowledgeable, and inspiring!

Why listen:
• A gripping, immersive opening that puts you right in the Channel with Trudy.
• Insights from Glenn on the real woman behind the legend.
• A reminder that courage isn’t loud — it just keeps swimming.

This is more than a sports story. It’s a story about refusing to be stopped.

Glenn Stout (website)

Unstoppable Podcast - Website

Coach LaTanya Sheffield — Head Women’s Track & Field Coach for the Paris 2024 U.S. Olympic Team and Director of Track & Field at Long Beach State — opens up about what it takes to compete and coach at the highest level. From her behind-the-scenes insights on the Paris Games to her reflections on guiding young athletes, Sheffield’s wisdom is a masterclass in resilience, excellence, and the unstoppable spirit of sport.

Long Beach State Athletics (Website)

LaTanya Sheffield - Long Beach State (Website)

Unstoppable Podcast - Website

Imagine it’s the fourth quarter of the 2023 state championship game. The Orange Coast College Pirates—once a team that could barely field a roster—are battling for the title. Their fearless young leader, Coach Sammy, has turned a ragtag group of overlooked players into believers. In those final moments, grit and heart carry them to victory, rewriting what was possible for women’s basketball at OCC.

In this episode of Unstoppable, Coach Sammy shares her journey: from taking over a struggling program, to building a culture of resilience and family, to cutting down the net as state champions. Her story is about more than basketball—it’s about leadership, perseverance, and the power of women redefining the game.

Coach Sammy’s unstoppable spirit is proof that sometimes the greatest victories come from those who were never supposed to win.

Orange Coast College - Website

Unstoppable Podcast - Website