Diana Nyad

To say that Diana Nyad is fearless would be an understatement.  In 2013, at the age of 64 she became the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without the aid of a shark cage, fins or a wet suit.  The total distance of the swim was 110 miles from Havana to Key West, a feat she accomplished in her very first attempt.  This was an incredible feat, but not something uncommon to Nyad.  Throughout her career as a long-distance swimmer she’s proved to be both mentally and physically tough, braving waters all over the world in the pursuit of something more.  She’s been able to do the things she’s done by recognizing that a long distance swim in treacherous conditions is a brutal foe, and that she has to conquer any fear and remove any doubt or pity from her mind to keep going.  This is a message she’s come to be known for, and one she’s delivered at numerous speaking engagements and in many books in articles.  As an author she’s written several books on a variety of topics ranging from an autobiography of NFL wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson to a book on Basic Training for Women.  As an author she has also contributed to publications such as The New York Times and Newsweek magazine.