#83 The Comeback: A Former Accountant’s Journey Back to The Water- And to The Pinnacle of the World of Open Water Swimming

Ageless Athlete - Longevity Insights From Adventure Sports Legends

Content provided by Kush Khandelwal. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Kush Khandelwal or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

2M ago 1:11:00

MP3•Episode home

What does it take to walk away from something you’ve trained for your entire life… and then find your way back — stronger, wiser, and with a whole new purpose?

In this two-part conversation, we sit down with world-record-holding swimmer Andy Donaldson. But Part One isn’t about records. It’s about the reset — the season of burnout, career shifts, mental struggle, and the slow, imperfect process of coming home to yourself.

Andy was once on the edge of elite swimming. Then he left the sport entirely — went to work as an accountant, burned out, and eventually found himself guiding volcano tours in Nicaragua during the pandemic. Somewhere along the way, he started swimming again —, just for himself.

That path led to an unexpected win at the legendary Rottnest Channel Swim… and the beginning of one of the most astonishing comebacks in open water history.

🧭 In This Episode (Part I):

How burnout pulled Andy away from competitive sport
What it's like to truly step away — and live life outside the pool
His quiet return to swimming in Perth, and why it felt different this time
The daily practices and mindset shifts that set the foundation for performance
The win at Rottnest that changed everything
What open water swimming teaches you about control, trust, and identity

💬 Stay tuned for Part II next week:

We dive deep into Andy’s record-breaking Oceans Seven challenge, a brutal 15-hour swim in Hawaii that nearly ended in disaster, and how he reframed suffering to find meaning, connection, and strength.

---

🚀 Love the show? Here’s how to support it

If something you’ve heard here has stayed with you, made you smile, or helped you keep going, I’d be honored if you’d consider supporting the show. 👉 https://buymeacoffee.com/agelessathlete

📰 Subscribe to the Ageless Athlete newsletter !

1-2x a month, no spam. We share behind-the-scenes reflections, longevity tips, and athlete wisdom you won’t find anywhere else. You can sign up at https://www.agelessathlete.co/newsletter/ 📩

Support the show

92 episodes

#Fitness #Kush Khandelwal #Climbing #Aging #Longevity #Running #Cycling #Performance #Society #Alternative Health #Athletics #Surf #Health and Well-Being #Outdoor #Natural