Episode 430 – Unstoppable Discipline and the Power of Long-Distance Swimming with Lynn Griesemer
What does it take to swim 28.5 miles around Manhattan and still call it fun?
I sit down with Lynn Griesemer, an open water swimmer who proves that determination, passion, and mindset can take you further than you think. Lynn shares how she went from casual lap swimming to completing one of the world’s most iconic endurance swims, all while building a life centered on family, curiosity, and growth. You will hear how she trained, faced fear in open water, and developed the kind of unstoppable mindset that pushes past doubt and excuses. This conversation is about more than swimming. It is about finding what drives you, trusting yourself, and taking action even when it feels uncomfortable. I believe you will find this both inspiring and practical as you think about what you want to pursue in your own life.
Highlights:
00:10 – Discover what it really takes to swim 28 miles around Manhattan and why mindset matters most
01:32 – Learn how early life and family shaped a foundation of curiosity and determination
20:00 – See how a global shutdown unexpectedly led to a breakthrough in open water swimming
32:18 – Understand what it takes to qualify for and complete one of the toughest endurance swims
36:27 – Hear what 10 hours in open water teaches about mental strength and preparation
47:44 – Learn how determination is built through passion, action, and refusing to quit
Bottom of Form
About the Guest:
Lynn Griesemer began her swimming journey at the age of five when her father introduced her to the joy of swimming. Although she wasn’t a competitive swimmer, she developed a passion for swimming over the years. She became a long-distance swimmer in 2020 and has swum around more than 69 different islands in Tampa Bay, Florida and beyond.
She was the first person to swim around St. Pete Beach, FL in 2022. At the age of 62, Lynn and her swim partner Ken Morgan were the Oldest Male-Female Tandem Team to complete the 20 Bridges swim around Manhattan, which is 28.5 miles. Four days after the completion of her New York City swim on 8/9/25, Lynn decided to write a book because she felt transformed by the experience. In fact, most of the books she’s written over the years have come from a place of conviction. Her current swimming goal is to complete an open water 10K swim, (6.2 miles) in all 50 states. She has completed 15 different states, with 10 more planned for 2026.
In addition to swimming, Lynn’s other passions include advocating for long-term happy marriage and husband and wife homebirth. Lynn is a mother of six grown children and grandmother of five. Although she was career-oriented in her twenties, she believes her greatest joy is that she had a large family. She’s been a family mom for three decades and homeschooled her six children from 1994-2016. She enjoyed learning from her children and watching them blossom over the years.
Before children, Lynn was an Army Officer and later, a Human Resources Manager. She received her B.A. in Psychology from Boston University and M.S. in Human Resources Management and Development from Chapman University.
After four hospital births between 1988 and 1993, Lynn and her husband Bob decided to give birth at home alone for the birth of their two youngest in 1996 and 2002. Not much was written on unassisted homebirth, and she was inspired to publish “Unassisted Homebirth: An Act of Love” in 1998. She is considered a pioneer in the field of unassisted birth (or freebirth), which is giving birth without a doctor or midwife.
Another strong interest: public speaking. As a former shy child, Lynn believes effective speaking is necessary for everyone, especially those in leadership and influential positions. She’s written several books on public speaking, with emphasis on children ages 10-18. A bucket list item of hers is to find an expert marketing and business partner to help promote and implement her public speaking programs.
Lynn has two more book ideas swimming around in her head – one about island swimming and another about the fifty state10Ks. Her mentor is advising her to write a book on unassisted homebirth, and she’s trying to make time to follow through. Lynn has written 13 books on various topics and is determined to write a handful more in her lifetime.
Ways to connect with Lynn:
LinkedIn: Lynn M. Griesemer
Instagram: lynngriesemer
YouTube Channel: Lynn Griesemer
Facebook: Lynn Griesemer
About the Host:
Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog.
Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children’s Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association’s 2012 Hero Dog Awards.
https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/
https://www.youtube.com/user/mhingson
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhingson/
accessiBe Links
https://www.youtube.com/c/accessiBe
https://www.linkedin.com/company/accessibe/mycompany/
https://www.facebook.com/accessibe/
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