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Diana Nyad        

World Champion Swimmer, Storyteller, Sports Journalist & Broadcaster

25 million people worldwide rooted for Diana Nyad as she approached the Florida shore, at long last achieving her 35-year-old dream of becoming the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida.

Diana is not one to quit. On her fifth attempt, speaking the words “Never Ever Give Up” to the wildly cheering crowd on a Key West beach on September 2, 2013, Diana may have been dazed and physically spent, but she showed the world what persistence and bold spirit can manifest. Diana stroked the amazing 110.86 miles in 52 hours, 54 minutes, 18 seconds.

A worldwide response of inspiration came flooding toward Diana, from personal messages from President Obama and Hillary Clinton to literally millions of people who felt their own lives lifted with Diana’s “Find a Way” philosophy.

Daring to reach for the stars, this swim beginning to seem impossible (after her four attempts over 35 years and other strong swimmers trying and failing since 1950), Diana has motivated the world at large to live fearlessly, to chase one’s dreams with unwavering commitment. The second statement the victorious 64-year-old made on that Key West beach? “You’re never too old to chase your dreams.” And her third statement on that historic day: “It looks a solitary sport, but it’s a TEAM.”

Courage, bold vision, and the ability to articulate her philosophies have propelled Diana through an inspiring life.

A prominent sports journalist, filing for National Public Radio, ABC’s Wide World of Sports, The New York Times and others, Diana has carved her place as one of our compelling storytellers and sought-after public speakers.

In September, 2019, Diana’s stage show “The Swimmer” played to sold-out audiences at the storied Minetta Lane Theater in New York City. And the play is now being courted at other off-Broadway theaters for 2021.

Diana’s memoir, Find a Way, has earned worldwide praise. She has written three other books and speaks French and Spanish fluently.

Diana and her Cuba Swim Head Handler Bonnie Stoll have launched an initiative called EverWalk, to lead us walking along the epic outdoor corridors of America. Diana and Bonnie intend to turn us into a nation of millions of walkers.

And Diana is yet again dreaming big, leading a million swimmers and walkers (Swimmers Commit, EverWalkers Commit) June 2020 from Miami to Washington, DC, in a push for American companies and individuals to reduce single use plastics in our businesses and our homes

Speech Topics


Breaking Barriers

Dare to Be Superior

The Courage to Be All You Can Be

News


Annette Bening To Star In Swimmer Biopic ‘Nyad’
Four-time Oscar nominee Annette Bening is set to star in Oscar-winning duo Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin’s narrative directorial debut Nyad. The project is based on Diana Nyad’s best-selling autobiography Find A Way, which follows the remarkable true story of the swimmer who, at age 64, assisted by her best friend and crew of 35 dedicated supporters, defied the odds to become the first person to complete the 110-mile journey from Cuba to Florida, through poisonous jellyfish and shark-infested waters.
'Find a Way,' swimmer Diana Nyad's stirring tale, is not for the ...
For Diana Nyad, a long-distance swim was a 110-mile odyssey from Cuba to Key West, Florida. And danger? There were toxic box jellyfish, and sharks that ...
Diana Nyad Talks Being Stung by Box Jellyfish; Writes New Memoir ...
"You felt that your body had been dipped in hot, burning wax oil," Diana Nyad says of being stung by a box jellyfish.
Swimmer Diana Nyad on Neil Young - WSJ
Diana Nyad, who set records on a Cuba-to-Florida swim, talks about using Neil Young's “The Needle and the Damage Done” to keep going.
From Cuba To Florida: Diana Nyad's Final Attempt At A Record ...
When the distance swimmer turned 60, she vowed to complete her life's biggest challenge: a 110-mile swim from Havana to Key West. It was her fifth attempt at ...
Diana Nyad completes historic Cuba-to-Florida swim - CNN.com
Diana Nyad on Monday became the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage, willing her way to a Key West beach just before 2 p.m. ET.
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Diana Nyad on epic swim: My mantra was "find a way" - CBS News
Long-distance swimmer says she suffered through the entire swim, but says that's why people are relating to her -- because "all of us suffer" in our lives.
Diana Nyad's Cuba to Florida swim breaks one record - CNN.com
Endurance swimmer Diana Nyad was better than halfway across the strait separating Cuba from the Florida Keys on Sunday afternoon, her support team ...
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