Lessons from the Water: A 10K Swim, A Deeper Journey

At Sarah Freeman Coaching, I believe that growth comes from embracing both the flow and the resistance—those moments that stretch us and those that invite us to pause. The lessons I learn in the water mirror so much of what I teach: resilience, connection, confidence, and swimming with your heart. My journey as a coach and as a swimmer are deeply connected, and I carry the wisdom of one into the other.

This past summer, I had the privilege of swimming a 10-kilometer open water event in Kalamalka Lake—at that event, it truly was one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Ten kilometers is a long time to be in the water. It’s a journey, not just of distance, but of mind, body, and spirit.

What struck me most wasn’t only the physical challenge, but the gifts the lake offered me along the way. Open water has a way of teaching, if you’re willing to listen.

The lake offered moments of fear and uncertainty—and the opportunity to move through them. It offered stillness and beauty so pure that it reminded me to pause, to breathe, and to receive the healing power of nature. It offered me clarity, perspective, and gratitude—for my body, for my training, for the memory of loved ones I carried with me, and for the chance to do something that lights me up.

But the lake also tested me. Near the end of the swim, when I was already tired, the water grew rough. For the last 2–3 kilometers, it felt as though the lake was asking: How strong are you really? How much have you trained, and how much trust do you have in yourself to keep going? Those final stretches weren’t smooth sailing—they were a reminder that the hardest parts often come when we least want them, and that’s where the real lessons are waiting.

Swimming, for me, isn’t just about distance. It’s about connection—with the water, with others, and with myself. The open water swimming community is filled with people facing their own struggles and triumphs, and there’s a quiet understanding that we are all learning as we move through the waves. Having a partner alongside me, supporting each other stroke by stroke, was another reminder of the importance of trust, teamwork, and communication—skills that ripple far beyond the water and into every part of life.

The lake, in its wisdom, teaches us to rest, to fuel, to shift perspective, and to embrace challenges with flow and grace. Not everything is smooth. Not everything is easy. But the clarity that comes from slowing down and “looking deeper into the water” is always worth it.

At this stage of my life, in my late 40s, I feel a deep calling to give back. I’ve learned so much from the water, from swimming, from challenge and resilience—and I want to share that. That is one of the many reasons why I started the Swim It Forward Initiative: to support young women who have faced adversity but are ready to chase their dreams. Through mentorship, financial support, and encouragement, this initiative is about lifting others so they can see what’s possible for them, too.

Life, much like a long swim, will always bring waves—moments of ease and moments of struggle. But when we choose to move through them, when we pause to notice the beauty, when we allow the lessons to guide us, we find strength, clarity, and flow.

The water continues to teach me every day, and my hope is that by sharing my journey, another woman, young woman, or girl might feel inspired to begin—or continue—hers.

With love and gratitude,

Sarah Freeman