00:00hey [Music] hello and welcome back to the outdoors hello and welcome back to the outdoors station for another podcast and video station for another podcast and video station for another podcast and video interview interview interview as you can tell I'm wearing my Christmas as you can tell I'm wearing my Christmas as you can tell I'm wearing my Christmas jumper as it's that time of year where jumper as it's that time of year where jumper as it's that time of year where the days are short the nights are bitter the days are short the nights are bitter the days are short the nights are bitter and outside it can be snow ice and and outside it can be snow ice and and outside it can be snow ice and unpleasant weather so we'll sit round a unpleasant weather so we'll sit round a unpleasant weather so we'll sit round a warm fire shared drink and food with warm fire shared drink and food with warm fire shared drink and food with family and friends and discuss how we'll family and friends and discuss how we'll family and friends and discuss how we'll get Outdoors again when the weather get Outdoors again when the weather get Outdoors again when the weather improves improves improves however there are other people in this however there are other people in this however there are other people in this world that love it in these particular world that love it in these particular world that love it in these particular conditions conditions conditions in fact they draw strength from Cold in fact they draw strength from Cold in fact they draw strength from Cold Water swimming and immersion Water swimming and immersion Water swimming and immersion Sarah Barnes the author of the cold fix
01:00Sarah Barnes the author of the cold fix Sarah Barnes the author of the cold fix is one of those people and her book has is one of those people and her book has is one of those people and her book has recently been released by vertebrate recently been released by vertebrate recently been released by vertebrate publishing publishing publishing Sarah is one of a troop of well many Sarah is one of a troop of well many Sarah is one of a troop of well many people as you'll hear from reading the people as you'll hear from reading the people as you'll hear from reading the book certainly who enjoy and get a book certainly who enjoy and get a book certainly who enjoy and get a massive amount of benefit from cold massive amount of benefit from cold massive amount of benefit from cold water immersion water immersion water immersion I spoke to Sarah earlier on today I spoke to Sarah earlier on today I spoke to Sarah earlier on today and this is what she had to tell me well Sarah thank you very much indeed well Sarah thank you very much indeed for joining us this is going to be a for joining us this is going to be a for joining us this is going to be a fascinating conversation on the Thrills fascinating conversation on the Thrills fascinating conversation on the Thrills of the chills of getting cold in your of the chills of getting cold in your of the chills of getting cold in your book the cold fix but obviously there's book the cold fix but obviously there's book the cold fix but obviously there's a bit of history that I think people a bit of history that I think people a bit of history that I think people listeners and viewers should be aware of listeners and viewers should be aware of listeners and viewers should be aware of as to why you started this cold as to why you started this cold as to why you started this cold immersion and the benefits you get from immersion and the benefits you get from immersion and the benefits you get from it so do you think you could start with it so do you think you could start with it so do you think you could start with giving us the backstory of of how you giving us the backstory of of how you giving us the backstory of of how you ended up in a cold puddle of water ended up in a cold puddle of water ended up in a cold puddle of water yeah yeah thanks for having me yeah yeah thanks for having me yeah yeah thanks for having me um yes um it started in February 2017
02:00um yes um it started in February 2017 um yes um it started in February 2017 when I had to have a major operation on when I had to have a major operation on when I had to have a major operation on both my legs um I opted to have it done both my legs um I opted to have it done both my legs um I opted to have it done at the same time it's called osteotomy at the same time it's called osteotomy at the same time it's called osteotomy so both legs were broken and then so both legs were broken and then so both legs were broken and then um pins put in and a bone graft put in um pins put in and a bone graft put in um pins put in and a bone graft put in it's known as a very very painful it's known as a very very painful it's known as a very very painful recovery recovery recovery um and it sure was um and it sure was um and it sure was um and I had to be non-weight-bearing um and I had to be non-weight-bearing um and I had to be non-weight-bearing for eight weeks and during those eight for eight weeks and during those eight for eight weeks and during those eight weeks I was in a wheelchair and then I weeks I was in a wheelchair and then I weeks I was in a wheelchair and then I found afterwards that the um the found afterwards that the um the found afterwards that the um the messages from my brain threw down my messages from my brain threw down my messages from my brain threw down my legs had gone really so I Not only was legs had gone really so I Not only was legs had gone really so I Not only was in pain in pain in pain um for a long time afterwards but I had um for a long time afterwards but I had um for a long time afterwards but I had to re-learn how to walk properly I I was to re-learn how to walk properly I I was to re-learn how to walk properly I I was shuffling and I didn't realize that's shuffling and I didn't realize that's shuffling and I didn't realize that's not how you walk you know my body had not how you walk you know my body had not how you walk you know my body had totally forgotten how to walk totally forgotten how to walk totally forgotten how to walk so having been a really active person so having been a really active person so having been a really active person cycling and running
03:00cycling and running cycling and running um and doing things like cycling up them um and doing things like cycling up them um and doing things like cycling up them on Von 2 and all the other calls in on Von 2 and all the other calls in on Von 2 and all the other calls in France France France um I suddenly didn't have a physical um I suddenly didn't have a physical um I suddenly didn't have a physical life life life um and I live in the Lake District it's um and I live in the Lake District it's um and I live in the Lake District it's um you know I can look out of my windows um you know I can look out of my windows um you know I can look out of my windows see skidor and I could go and be up at see skidor and I could go and be up at see skidor and I could go and be up at the top there you know within a couple the top there you know within a couple the top there you know within a couple of hours it's so easy for me I couldn't of hours it's so easy for me I couldn't of hours it's so easy for me I couldn't do any of that anymore so I felt I'd do any of that anymore so I felt I'd do any of that anymore so I felt I'd lost myself lost myself lost myself um and it was really hard a really um and it was really hard a really um and it was really hard a really difficult time emotionally for me and difficult time emotionally for me and difficult time emotionally for me and getting over the physical pain and and getting over the physical pain and and getting over the physical pain and and just what do I do just what do I do just what do I do so then so then so then um my kids suggested that we went for a um my kids suggested that we went for a um my kids suggested that we went for a dip and a picnic and it was April so off dip and a picnic and it was April so off dip and a picnic and it was April so off we went down to chromic they were in we went down to chromic they were in we went down to chromic they were in their wetsuits their wetsuits their wetsuits um I think I was that first time um I think I was that first time um I think I was that first time actually because we've always swum in actually because we've always swum in actually because we've always swum in the river pools and in the lakes and so the river pools and in the lakes and so the river pools and in the lakes and so on but on but on but um mostly during the summer
04:00um mostly during the summer um mostly during the summer so I had to go so I had to go so I had to go and it was just amazing I could float and it was just amazing I could float and it was just amazing I could float um and I didn't need to use my legs and um and I didn't need to use my legs and um and I didn't need to use my legs and there was no pain and I was out there in there was no pain and I was out there in there was no pain and I was out there in the outdoors again the outdoors again the outdoors again um so I was hooked one swim and I was um so I was hooked one swim and I was um so I was hooked one swim and I was hooked hooked hooked so how many years ago did this all start so how many years ago did this all start so how many years ago did this all start for you then what what period of time for you then what what period of time for you then what what period of time were we talking about were we talking about were we talking about the she is six years ago now so quite a she is six years ago now so quite a long time ago yeah yeah yeah and long time ago yeah yeah yeah and long time ago yeah yeah yeah and certainly for an outdoor active person certainly for an outdoor active person certainly for an outdoor active person it must have been incredibly frustrating it must have been incredibly frustrating it must have been incredibly frustrating to have been trapped indoors and as you to have been trapped indoors and as you to have been trapped indoors and as you say unable to move due to to the say unable to move due to to the say unable to move due to to the recovery so was the the time you went recovery so was the the time you went recovery so was the the time you went with your children your daughter were with your children your daughter were with your children your daughter were you what was your Movement Like were you you what was your Movement Like were you you what was your Movement Like were you just sort of shuffling and taking a long just sort of shuffling and taking a long just sort of shuffling and taking a long time to get somewhere or did you sort of time to get somewhere or did you sort of time to get somewhere or did you sort of have some sort of have some sort of have some sort of um ability to to walk fairly normally at
05:00um ability to to walk fairly normally at um ability to to walk fairly normally at that stage that stage that stage I was semi-weight-bearing so I was I was semi-weight-bearing so I was I was semi-weight-bearing so I was allowed to walk on crutches as long as I allowed to walk on crutches as long as I allowed to walk on crutches as long as I didn't put the full weight down so it didn't put the full weight down so it didn't put the full weight down so it was um it's a 20 minute walk down from was um it's a 20 minute walk down from was um it's a 20 minute walk down from the car to the lake the car to the lake the car to the lake um and then it's quite Rocky so I was um and then it's quite Rocky so I was um and then it's quite Rocky so I was getting in on my crutches getting in on my crutches getting in on my crutches um and then I just kind of fell in and I um and then I just kind of fell in and I um and then I just kind of fell in and I discovered that I floated and um discovered that I floated and um discovered that I floated and um crutches don't because they got holes in crutches don't because they got holes in crutches don't because they got holes in it it it okay okay but was that a cold immersion okay okay but was that a cold immersion okay okay but was that a cold immersion or was it just a chilly summer's day or was it just a chilly summer's day or was it just a chilly summer's day than we were talking about here that's than we were talking about here that's than we were talking about here that's April time so um chronic is a very deep April time so um chronic is a very deep April time so um chronic is a very deep lake and it it holds its cold well well lake and it it holds its cold well well lake and it it holds its cold well well into June July so it probably was about into June July so it probably was about into June July so it probably was about 14 degrees so by anybody's standards 14 degrees so by anybody's standards 14 degrees so by anybody's standards that's quite cold that's quite cold that's quite cold um um um and fairly tough with the cold anyway and fairly tough with the cold anyway and fairly tough with the cold anyway um so it it didn't bother me too much um so it it didn't bother me too much um so it it didn't bother me too much and I had the wetsuit on so that was a
06:00and I had the wetsuit on so that was a and I had the wetsuit on so that was a help so that wasn't the cold that got me help so that wasn't the cold that got me help so that wasn't the cold that got me then that was the feeling of being then that was the feeling of being then that was the feeling of being outdoors again and I thought aha this is outdoors again and I thought aha this is outdoors again and I thought aha this is possibly how I can get back into the possibly how I can get back into the possibly how I can get back into the outdoors by being in the water okay okay outdoors by being in the water okay okay outdoors by being in the water okay okay so what happened next then how do you do so what happened next then how do you do so what happened next then how do you do you go from that to it getting colder you go from that to it getting colder you go from that to it getting colder and colder because presume you did and colder because presume you did and colder because presume you did immersions on a fairly regular basis as immersions on a fairly regular basis as immersions on a fairly regular basis as part of your recovery part of your recovery part of your recovery yes I think I I found that it was the yes I think I I found that it was the yes I think I I found that it was the the the coldness of the water and we're the the coldness of the water and we're the the coldness of the water and we're talking even in the summertime it might talking even in the summertime it might talking even in the summertime it might get to 1819 it's still cold it still has get to 1819 it's still cold it still has get to 1819 it's still cold it still has an effect on reducing inflammation an effect on reducing inflammation an effect on reducing inflammation reducing pain reducing pain reducing pain um and it um um and it um um and it um because it gave me the confidence to be because it gave me the confidence to be because it gave me the confidence to be back Outdoors again as I was starting to back Outdoors again as I was starting to back Outdoors again as I was starting to sort of walk more and do more I swam sort of walk more and do more I swam sort of walk more and do more I swam more I met other people who were more I met other people who were more I met other people who were swimming
07:00swimming swimming um and actually six years ago it was um and actually six years ago it was um and actually six years ago it was still thought to be slightly odd cars still thought to be slightly odd cars still thought to be slightly odd cars would still slow down if they saw people would still slow down if they saw people would still slow down if they saw people swimming in the lake swimming in the lake swimming in the lake so it it was slightly unusual and I'd so it it was slightly unusual and I'd so it it was slightly unusual and I'd heard about this winter swim chill swim heard about this winter swim chill swim heard about this winter swim chill swim down in Windermere that took place in down in Windermere that took place in down in Windermere that took place in February but in order to do it you had February but in order to do it you had February but in order to do it you had to be in the water sort of three or four to be in the water sort of three or four to be in the water sort of three or four times a week times a week times a week um right through so that first winter um right through so that first winter um right through so that first winter 2017-18 I decided with a couple of 2017-18 I decided with a couple of 2017-18 I decided with a couple of friends just to swim right through the friends just to swim right through the friends just to swim right through the winter so we were going three or four winter so we were going three or four winter so we were going three or four times a week in our swimsuits and we times a week in our swimsuits and we times a week in our swimsuits and we took each swim at a time took each swim at a time took each swim at a time um and we just we just felt so proud of um and we just we just felt so proud of um and we just we just felt so proud of ourselves because every time we were ourselves because every time we were ourselves because every time we were okay and we took advice from other okay and we took advice from other okay and we took advice from other swimmers and we read up and we listened swimmers and we read up and we listened swimmers and we read up and we listened to our bodies and we got ourselves ready to our bodies and we got ourselves ready to our bodies and we got ourselves ready to do this to do this to do this um chill swim which I don't think um chill swim which I don't think um chill swim which I don't think actually happened in the end actually happened in the end actually happened in the end um but we had got completely hooked by
08:00um but we had got completely hooked by um but we had got completely hooked by then on the cold now the cold was coming then on the cold now the cold was coming then on the cold now the cold was coming into it for me the actual way it resets into it for me the actual way it resets into it for me the actual way it resets you not just the pain production but it you not just the pain production but it you not just the pain production but it does something psychologically to you does something psychologically to you does something psychologically to you um but if it's odd yeah well it's I've um but if it's odd yeah well it's I've um but if it's odd yeah well it's I've read through your book and and I I can read through your book and and I I can read through your book and and I I can understand the understand the understand the um concentration that going through the um concentration that going through the um concentration that going through the process makes you stop and be present in process makes you stop and be present in process makes you stop and be present in the moment which it obviously must be the moment which it obviously must be the moment which it obviously must be focusing a lot on the moment just focusing a lot on the moment just focusing a lot on the moment just because your body's reacting to because your body's reacting to because your body's reacting to something that's unfamiliar in some something that's unfamiliar in some something that's unfamiliar in some respects respects respects um you know you're putting yourself um you know you're putting yourself um you know you're putting yourself through quite an unusual situations through quite an unusual situations through quite an unusual situations regards when you're used to being regards when you're used to being regards when you're used to being centrally heated and and so on so your centrally heated and and so on so your centrally heated and and so on so your group of friends that you're with was group of friends that you're with was group of friends that you're with was there somebody leading you to get colder there somebody leading you to get colder there somebody leading you to get colder and colder or was it just purely the and colder or was it just purely the and colder or was it just purely the sort of social media and the information sort of social media and the information sort of social media and the information you were picking up about the benefits you were picking up about the benefits you were picking up about the benefits of of these cold immersions that that of of these cold immersions that that of of these cold immersions that that piqued your curiosity that that made you
09:00piqued your curiosity that that made you piqued your curiosity that that made you want to get colder or how did it develop want to get colder or how did it develop want to get colder or how did it develop from the chill swim or the idea of the from the chill swim or the idea of the from the chill swim or the idea of the chill swim that you're going to do into chill swim that you're going to do into chill swim that you're going to do into something that was definitely at the something that was definitely at the something that was definitely at the next level I just that was the bit I next level I just that was the bit I next level I just that was the bit I couldn't quite grasp in the book couldn't quite grasp in the book couldn't quite grasp in the book okay um I think it was the idea of going okay um I think it was the idea of going okay um I think it was the idea of going to to to um Estonia or Russia I particularly um Estonia or Russia I particularly um Estonia or Russia I particularly wanted to go to France and do one of the wanted to go to France and do one of the wanted to go to France and do one of the winter swims the ice swimming winter swims the ice swimming winter swims the ice swimming um and I started to read more about that um and I started to read more about that um and I started to read more about that and talk to people like Jamie Monahan and talk to people like Jamie Monahan and talk to people like Jamie Monahan who is in the book who is in the book who is in the book um and a couple of other people who had um and a couple of other people who had um and a couple of other people who had actually been out there and they said it actually been out there and they said it actually been out there and they said it was just such a good community so this was just such a good community so this was just such a good community so this is when the idea of community came in as is when the idea of community came in as is when the idea of community came in as well and the cold water ice swimming well and the cold water ice swimming well and the cold water ice swimming community community community um are just there's something about them um are just there's something about them um are just there's something about them there's everybody who's in it seems to there's everybody who's in it seems to there's everybody who's in it seems to have a certain personality a certain
10:00have a certain personality a certain have a certain personality a certain non-judgmental attitude non-judgmental attitude non-judgmental attitude um and you feel that you're part of um and you feel that you're part of um and you feel that you're part of something bigger because it was taking something bigger because it was taking something bigger because it was taking it beyond the Lake District it beyond the Lake District it beyond the Lake District um beyond the United Kingdom and out um beyond the United Kingdom and out um beyond the United Kingdom and out into the world again into the world again into the world again um so we're talking about here probably um so we're talking about here probably um so we're talking about here probably winter 2018 19. winter 2018 19. winter 2018 19. um I was doing it more regularly I was um I was doing it more regularly I was um I was doing it more regularly I was starting to post more on social media starting to post more on social media starting to post more on social media building up friendships Beyond building up friendships Beyond building up friendships Beyond um where I live which is a very very um where I live which is a very very um where I live which is a very very rural Backwater you can go out and not rural Backwater you can go out and not rural Backwater you can go out and not see anybody see anybody see anybody um which could be quite lonely as well um which could be quite lonely as well um which could be quite lonely as well so so so it came pain relief cold community it came pain relief cold community it came pain relief cold community okay so the this first photograph then okay so the this first photograph then okay so the this first photograph then when in the period of time when when did when in the period of time when when did when in the period of time when when did that take place this is your first that take place this is your first that take place this is your first winter swim is that correct winter swim is that correct winter swim is that correct this is the first time I went on my own this is the first time I went on my own this is the first time I went on my own into an icy town I had tried the
11:00into an icy town I had tried the into an icy town I had tried the previous winter previous winter previous winter um in February to go up with a group of um in February to go up with a group of um in February to go up with a group of friends and it's uh it's a good hours friends and it's uh it's a good hours friends and it's uh it's a good hours walk up a ride away and I couldn't walk up a ride away and I couldn't walk up a ride away and I couldn't manage it and we had the beast from the manage it and we had the beast from the manage it and we had the beast from the East it was the week or the weekend of East it was the week or the weekend of East it was the week or the weekend of the beast from the East and I just the beast from the East and I just the beast from the East and I just couldn't really stand up against the couldn't really stand up against the couldn't really stand up against the wind I was getting cold I think I did wind I was getting cold I think I did wind I was getting cold I think I did have a crutch with me or walking poles have a crutch with me or walking poles have a crutch with me or walking poles because I was still in a lot of pain I because I was still in a lot of pain I because I was still in a lot of pain I had really desperately wanted to get to had really desperately wanted to get to had really desperately wanted to get to the top so the following winter having the top so the following winter having the top so the following winter having worked hard on Physiotherapy and all of worked hard on Physiotherapy and all of worked hard on Physiotherapy and all of this stuff I I decided right I'm going this stuff I I decided right I'm going this stuff I I decided right I'm going to do it I really wanted to do it so I to do it I really wanted to do it so I to do it I really wanted to do it so I um went up there on my own and then this um went up there on my own and then this um went up there on my own and then this lady appeared and she said are you a lady appeared and she said are you a lady appeared and she said are you a swimmer swimmer swimmer um and I kind of couldn't deny it um and I kind of couldn't deny it um and I kind of couldn't deny it because I was in a bathing costume and a because I was in a bathing costume and a because I was in a bathing costume and a bobble Hut and so she stripped down to bobble Hut and so she stripped down to bobble Hut and so she stripped down to her undies and she came in with me and her undies and she came in with me and her undies and she came in with me and so and that's that's what really ignited
12:00so and that's that's what really ignited so and that's that's what really ignited my joy in the community and how my joy in the community and how my joy in the community and how um just it's almost they're irrational um just it's almost they're irrational um just it's almost they're irrational but they're also very focused but they're also very focused but they're also very focused um and it's such a delightful um and it's such a delightful um and it's such a delightful combination combination combination um and she just came in with me and we um and she just came in with me and we um and she just came in with me and we just had this amazing time amazing swim just had this amazing time amazing swim just had this amazing time amazing swim in this very very cold water there was in this very very cold water there was in this very very cold water there was Ice Ice Ice um not just here because this was the um not just here because this was the um not just here because this was the more boggy bit more boggy bit more boggy bit and was she was she a winter a nice and was she was she a winter a nice and was she was she a winter a nice swimmer a cold swimmer or had she was swimmer a cold swimmer or had she was swimmer a cold swimmer or had she was she just curious about what you were she just curious about what you were she just curious about what you were doing and decided to join you really she was a regular swimmer she's a really she was a regular swimmer she's a regular Walker and swimmer regular Walker and swimmer regular Walker and swimmer um but I think she just thought I'm um but I think she just thought I'm um but I think she just thought I'm going to do it I want to go in going to do it I want to go in going to do it I want to go in um partly maybe she thought you know um partly maybe she thought you know um partly maybe she thought you know this woman shouldn't be going in on her this woman shouldn't be going in on her this woman shouldn't be going in on her own but you know she just wanted to come own but you know she just wanted to come own but you know she just wanted to come in in in um so it was a spare of the moment
13:00um so it was a spare of the moment um so it was a spare of the moment things well because she didn't have things well because she didn't have things well because she didn't have anything with her apart from walking anything with her apart from walking anything with her apart from walking stuff and a thermos flask and her stuff and a thermos flask and her stuff and a thermos flask and her husband and a dog you know so she she husband and a dog you know so she she husband and a dog you know so she she wasn't prepared but she just did it and wasn't prepared but she just did it and wasn't prepared but she just did it and it was just wonderful it was just wonderful it was just wonderful oh bless her blesser it's phenomenal oh bless her blesser it's phenomenal oh bless her blesser it's phenomenal isn't it isn't it isn't it um so describe describe to people then um so describe describe to people then um so describe describe to people then if you would what does it feel like what if you would what does it feel like what if you would what does it feel like what what emotions go through your mind and what emotions go through your mind and what emotions go through your mind and and obviously Sensations in your body as and obviously Sensations in your body as and obviously Sensations in your body as you start going below what would reclass you start going below what would reclass you start going below what would reclass to sort of Chilly water into into you to sort of Chilly water into into you to sort of Chilly water into into you know really really cold water when there know really really cold water when there know really really cold water when there what is there a is there a measurement what is there a is there a measurement what is there a is there a measurement is there a temperature that that's is there a temperature that that's is there a temperature that that's suddenly right once you're below 10 suddenly right once you're below 10 suddenly right once you're below 10 degrees 5 degrees whatever it may be if degrees 5 degrees whatever it may be if degrees 5 degrees whatever it may be if there's a significant thing that happens there's a significant thing that happens there's a significant thing that happens or is it does everybody go through this or is it does everybody go through this or is it does everybody go through this slow process of dropping down lower and slow process of dropping down lower and slow process of dropping down lower and lower temperature wise each time before lower temperature wise each time before lower temperature wise each time before they get to a sort of a the agreed level they get to a sort of a the agreed level they get to a sort of a the agreed level of what is classed as being a cold
14:00of what is classed as being a cold of what is classed as being a cold immersion um I think 10 degrees is quite an um I think 10 degrees is quite an interesting temperature interesting temperature interesting temperature um I think that's when people come out um I think that's when people come out um I think that's when people come out of the woodwork of the woodwork of the woodwork um on social media um on social media um on social media um if they like the cold water once you um if they like the cold water once you um if they like the cold water once you get to 10 degrees these sort of Summer get to 10 degrees these sort of Summer get to 10 degrees these sort of Summer swimmers tend to go away swimmers tend to go away swimmers tend to go away um and then for me when you get down to um and then for me when you get down to um and then for me when you get down to seven that's when I really start to seven that's when I really start to seven that's when I really start to notice it notice it notice it um and I think everybody is getting um and I think everybody is getting um and I think everybody is getting really excited there is a real buzz when really excited there is a real buzz when really excited there is a real buzz when temperatures start going seven and Below temperatures start going seven and Below temperatures start going seven and Below um and then there's a particular um and then there's a particular um and then there's a particular temperature 3.7 at which if I'm swimming temperature 3.7 at which if I'm swimming temperature 3.7 at which if I'm swimming without neoprene gloves I lose my hands without neoprene gloves I lose my hands without neoprene gloves I lose my hands um quite quickly um quite quickly um quite quickly um I probably couldn't be swim more than um I probably couldn't be swim more than um I probably couldn't be swim more than I don't know 20 Strokes out 20 back and I don't know 20 Strokes out 20 back and I don't know 20 Strokes out 20 back and I would be losing my hands now if you
15:00I would be losing my hands now if you I would be losing my hands now if you lose your hands they don't drop off you lose your hands they don't drop off you lose your hands they don't drop off you just lose all feeling they become claws just lose all feeling they become claws just lose all feeling they become claws a you can't swim properly and B can't a you can't swim properly and B can't a you can't swim properly and B can't get yourself dressed so actually we're get yourself dressed so actually we're get yourself dressed so actually we're talking getting into talking getting into talking getting into you know serious problems potentially you know serious problems potentially you know serious problems potentially because you've got to be able to get because you've got to be able to get because you've got to be able to get yourself dressed and get in your car yourself dressed and get in your car yourself dressed and get in your car start the engine start warming up you've start the engine start warming up you've start the engine start warming up you've got to be able to pour a drink and so on got to be able to pour a drink and so on got to be able to pour a drink and so on so it goes by degrees once you get to so it goes by degrees once you get to so it goes by degrees once you get to Seven it you know six is is an Seven it you know six is is an Seven it you know six is is an insignificant number you're waiting at insignificant number you're waiting at insignificant number you're waiting at seven to get down to five and then at seven to get down to five and then at seven to get down to five and then at five you're really wanting to get down five you're really wanting to get down five you're really wanting to get down to like four and then sub four to like four and then sub four to like four and then sub four five is the official ice swimming five is the official ice swimming five is the official ice swimming temperature below five temperature below five temperature below five um but really everybody wants to be in um but really everybody wants to be in um but really everybody wants to be in naught degrees naught degrees naught degrees wow and you're obviously very specific wow and you're obviously very specific wow and you're obviously very specific about your your temperature rating do about your your temperature rating do about your your temperature rating do you carry a thermometer with you and you carry a thermometer with you and you carry a thermometer with you and gauge the temperature of the water gauge the temperature of the water gauge the temperature of the water beforehand or is it rule of thumb
16:00beforehand or is it rule of thumb beforehand or is it rule of thumb it's um it's because I noticed when it's um it's because I noticed when it's um it's because I noticed when somebody did have a thermometer once um somebody did have a thermometer once um somebody did have a thermometer once um in Boston thweight like I noticed and my in Boston thweight like I noticed and my in Boston thweight like I noticed and my hands were like Claws and I honestly I hands were like Claws and I honestly I hands were like Claws and I honestly I couldn't if I went like that I couldn't couldn't if I went like that I couldn't couldn't if I went like that I couldn't feel them against each other feel them against each other feel them against each other and she'd measured it at 3.7 and I and she'd measured it at 3.7 and I and she'd measured it at 3.7 and I thought aha that's the temperature for thought aha that's the temperature for thought aha that's the temperature for me that's my temperature when I need the me that's my temperature when I need the me that's my temperature when I need the gobs on or I need to keep my hands out gobs on or I need to keep my hands out gobs on or I need to keep my hands out of the water right to keep saying and of the water right to keep saying and of the water right to keep saying and and what about the the actual experience and what about the the actual experience and what about the the actual experience your body and mind go through could you your body and mind go through could you your body and mind go through could you could you put that vocalize that at all could you put that vocalize that at all could you put that vocalize that at all about how it feels and and the about how it feels and and the about how it feels and and the sensations you go through as you immerse sensations you go through as you immerse sensations you go through as you immerse yourself slowly into colder and colder yourself slowly into colder and colder yourself slowly into colder and colder water um it it sometimes doesn't feel any colder it it sometimes doesn't feel any colder it it sometimes doesn't feel any colder it doesn't when it's like below five it it doesn't when it's like below five it it doesn't when it's like below five it doesn't feel any colder
17:00doesn't feel any colder doesn't feel any colder um um do you notice the difference you you it do you notice the difference you you it do you notice the difference you you it actually you swear more you're more loud actually you swear more you're more loud actually you swear more you're more loud and more vocal about it that sort of ten and more vocal about it that sort of ten and more vocal about it that sort of ten down to seven to six when it gets below down to seven to six when it gets below down to seven to six when it gets below five it's like a you really feel you five it's like a you really feel you five it's like a you really feel you have to focus you really I I feel it on have to focus you really I I feel it on have to focus you really I I feel it on my skin but I sense it in my mind and in my skin but I sense it in my mind and in my skin but I sense it in my mind and in my body my body my body um um it's it is hard to put into words but it's it is hard to put into words but it's it is hard to put into words but it's it's it's it's so cold it's so cold it's so cold that you no longer ask yourself why that you no longer ask yourself why that you no longer ask yourself why you're doing it you no longer can swear you're doing it you no longer can swear you're doing it you no longer can swear you are stilled you are completely you are stilled you are completely you are stilled you are completely um your your brain is put on hold all um your your brain is put on hold all um your your brain is put on hold all you're doing is trying to just really you're doing is trying to just really you're doing is trying to just really sense every tiny little sense every tiny little sense every tiny little you know feeling really every little you know feeling really every little you know feeling really every little sensation sensation sensation so yes that was in Norway on New Year's
18:00so yes that was in Norway on New Year's so yes that was in Norway on New Year's Eve last year Eve last year Eve last year and and and um um I was happy I was so happy I I wasn't I was happy I was so happy I I wasn't I was happy I was so happy I I wasn't warm I still knew it was cold and I knew warm I still knew it was cold and I knew warm I still knew it was cold and I knew I hadn't done everything I wanted to do I hadn't done everything I wanted to do I hadn't done everything I wanted to do until I had dunked down into it because until I had dunked down into it because until I had dunked down into it because [Music] [Music] um um it it didn't feel horribly cold it it didn't feel horribly cold it it didn't feel horribly cold sometimes when it's seven degrees and sometimes when it's seven degrees and sometimes when it's seven degrees and wet and windy it feels far nastier than wet and windy it feels far nastier than wet and windy it feels far nastier than a day like that where it's just still a day like that where it's just still a day like that where it's just still and so your all your emotions and and so your all your emotions and and so your all your emotions and everything within you are stilled and everything within you are stilled and everything within you are stilled and it's this magic magic calm it's this magic magic calm it's this magic magic calm um where um where um where you know the tiniest little thing you you know the tiniest little thing you you know the tiniest little thing you can feel and sense and hear and smell can feel and sense and hear and smell can feel and sense and hear and smell smells very important at different smells very important at different smells very important at different temperatures as well okay well I'm just going to run the bit okay well I'm just going to run the bit of video that you sent me with the sort of video that you sent me with the sort of video that you sent me with the sort of got the complete story on from your
19:00of got the complete story on from your of got the complete story on from your injury through to some of the injury through to some of the injury through to some of the experiences and then we'll come on to uh experiences and then we'll come on to uh experiences and then we'll come on to uh some of the other pictures where you some of the other pictures where you some of the other pictures where you talk about your experiences uh when talk about your experiences uh when talk about your experiences uh when you've been you've been you've been um uh with uh with others um uh with uh with others um uh with uh with others um um if you'd like to just talk us through if you'd like to just talk us through if you'd like to just talk us through this little film this little film this little film okay so this is um in the very early okay so this is um in the very early okay so this is um in the very early days after the operation I had where I days after the operation I had where I days after the operation I had where I was in my bedroom for eight weeks using was in my bedroom for eight weeks using was in my bedroom for eight weeks using a wheelchair a wheelchair a wheelchair using a banana board to get from using a banana board to get from using a banana board to get from wheelchair onto anything really wheelchair onto anything really wheelchair onto anything really um and it was just funny it was a funny um and it was just funny it was a funny um and it was just funny it was a funny time and that those are the wounds 50 time and that those are the wounds 50 time and that those are the wounds 50 Staples Staples Staples and then I started walking again and then I started walking again and then I started walking again on crutches on crutches on crutches um you can see how thin my legs got um you can see how thin my legs got um you can see how thin my legs got and then just started to get back and then just started to get back and then just started to get back outside and I think you can see in my outside and I think you can see in my outside and I think you can see in my face and in my demeanor that I'm in my face and in my demeanor that I'm in my face and in my demeanor that I'm in my happy place completely having my
20:00happy place completely having my happy place completely having my physical self taken away from me it just physical self taken away from me it just physical self taken away from me it just ate me up inside it destroyed me nearly ate me up inside it destroyed me nearly ate me up inside it destroyed me nearly um and I think you have to rebuild your um and I think you have to rebuild your um and I think you have to rebuild your body confidence body confidence body confidence as well I got back to cycling which had as well I got back to cycling which had as well I got back to cycling which had been my passion that was my contract for been my passion that was my contract for been my passion that was my contract for the book The Cold fix the book The Cold fix the book The Cold fix um um and then I used to hate deep water I and then I used to hate deep water I and then I used to hate deep water I couldn't jump off things so I made couldn't jump off things so I made couldn't jump off things so I made myself face a lot of fears myself face a lot of fears myself face a lot of fears um during this time because it stopped um during this time because it stopped um during this time because it stopped me being scared of the future well congratulations it certainly is well congratulations it certainly is quite a journey isn't it now in the book quite a journey isn't it now in the book quite a journey isn't it now in the book you uh I've talked about the community you uh I've talked about the community you uh I've talked about the community obviously and the people you met and and obviously and the people you met and and obviously and the people you met and and the sort of gatherings and and how there the sort of gatherings and and how there the sort of gatherings and and how there are a whole variety of different are a whole variety of different are a whole variety of different characters uh you've sent me some characters uh you've sent me some characters uh you've sent me some pictures which I'm going to go through pictures which I'm going to go through pictures which I'm going to go through at the moment uh in some sort of random at the moment uh in some sort of random at the moment uh in some sort of random order but perhaps you would like to to order but perhaps you would like to to order but perhaps you would like to to talk us through some of the the people
21:00talk us through some of the the people talk us through some of the the people on here and some of the experiences that on here and some of the experiences that on here and some of the experiences that you've had because you've been to many you've had because you've been to many you've had because you've been to many different countries some people are well different countries some people are well different countries some people are well known I understand and other peoples are known I understand and other peoples are known I understand and other peoples are just sort of enthusiasts but not just sort of enthusiasts but not just sort of enthusiasts but not particularly famous within the circles particularly famous within the circles particularly famous within the circles uh and you seem to have tried everything uh and you seem to have tried everything uh and you seem to have tried everything that you wanted to try and set out for that you wanted to try and set out for that you wanted to try and set out for yourself the immersions the the complete yourself the immersions the the complete yourself the immersions the the complete dunks and so on and obviously we've got dunks and so on and obviously we've got dunks and so on and obviously we've got the cold water bath and we'll finish on the cold water bath and we'll finish on the cold water bath and we'll finish on that if we may through the pictures so moving on from this one so moving on from this one so this is when I went to Norway and so this is when I went to Norway and so this is when I went to Norway and really got into the ice this is this was really got into the ice this is this was really got into the ice this is this was what I wanted was the ice and learning what I wanted was the ice and learning what I wanted was the ice and learning about it and I didn't realize it was about it and I didn't realize it was about it and I didn't realize it was sharp so um you can be chopping away at sharp so um you can be chopping away at sharp so um you can be chopping away at it it um trying to keep your balance and then um trying to keep your balance and then um trying to keep your balance and then you have to be aware that you've got an you have to be aware that you've got an you have to be aware that you've got an ax and you've got ice which is really ax and you've got ice which is really ax and you've got ice which is really sharp so I had a lot of scratches and sharp so I had a lot of scratches and sharp so I had a lot of scratches and wounds and a lot of learning to do
22:00wounds and a lot of learning to do wounds and a lot of learning to do really really really um this is trying to write a bit harder um this is trying to write a bit harder um this is trying to write a bit harder um I went down to the south of France um I went down to the south of France um I went down to the south of France and met Claudia and met Claudia and met Claudia um who swims in the Mediterranean and up um who swims in the Mediterranean and up um who swims in the Mediterranean and up in the mountains so there was actual ice in the mountains so there was actual ice in the mountains so there was actual ice there in that water and it was four there in that water and it was four there in that water and it was four degrees degrees degrees um um um and then this is lilu who I swim with um and then this is lilu who I swim with um and then this is lilu who I swim with in the Lake District who never feels the in the Lake District who never feels the in the Lake District who never feels the cold cold cold um she will she doesn't know when to get um she will she doesn't know when to get um she will she doesn't know when to get out because she just doesn't feel the out because she just doesn't feel the out because she just doesn't feel the cold cold um but she absolutely loves it um but she absolutely loves it um but she absolutely loves it um um and then this is my Japanese bathtub and then this is my Japanese bathtub and then this is my Japanese bathtub that I have outside my bedroom and I got that I have outside my bedroom and I got that I have outside my bedroom and I got that two years ago now that two years ago now that two years ago now um so you can see I can see the um so you can see I can see the um so you can see I can see the mountains from my house mountains from my house mountains from my house um which was torture when I couldn't get um which was torture when I couldn't get um which was torture when I couldn't get there there there so this froze over so this froze over so this froze over um this winter it has frozen over this um this winter it has frozen over this um this winter it has frozen over this winter again so I can literally go and winter again so I can literally go and winter again so I can literally go and sit in my own ice hole outside my
23:00sit in my own ice hole outside my sit in my own ice hole outside my bedroom which is really safe and I bedroom which is really safe and I bedroom which is really safe and I presume that's your your regular uh presume that's your your regular uh presume that's your your regular uh um resting place that you mentioned in um resting place that you mentioned in um resting place that you mentioned in the book now you've you've got this so the book now you've you've got this so the book now you've you've got this so you don't have to obviously go to you don't have to obviously go to you don't have to obviously go to various places you can just nip straight various places you can just nip straight various places you can just nip straight outside and do this now it's a matter of outside and do this now it's a matter of outside and do this now it's a matter of interest when you're when you're doing interest when you're when you're doing interest when you're when you're doing this when I've done I haven't done this when I've done I haven't done this when I've done I haven't done anything similar to to what you're anything similar to to what you're anything similar to to what you're talking about but when I've certainly talking about but when I've certainly talking about but when I've certainly had cold immersions and cold uh cold had cold immersions and cold uh cold had cold immersions and cold uh cold streams it's usually after I've got warm streams it's usually after I've got warm streams it's usually after I've got warm so I might go for a run first and then so I might go for a run first and then so I might go for a run first and then immerse myself or do some yoga or immerse myself or do some yoga or immerse myself or do some yoga or whatever it may be as part of the whatever it may be as part of the whatever it may be as part of the routine that you do obviously if you're routine that you do obviously if you're routine that you do obviously if you're walking up a mountain you're going to walking up a mountain you're going to walking up a mountain you're going to get warm in the process and traveling to get warm in the process and traveling to get warm in the process and traveling to various places but is it normal to get various places but is it normal to get various places but is it normal to get warm first in some sort of physical way warm first in some sort of physical way warm first in some sort of physical way before you immerse yourself or like with before you immerse yourself or like with before you immerse yourself or like with the bath the tub you've got at your the bath the tub you've got at your the bath the tub you've got at your house now do you not to get warmed you house now do you not to get warmed you house now do you not to get warmed you just get get out of bed and go straight just get get out of bed and go straight just get get out of bed and go straight in as it were
24:00you do some yoga first so that I've you do some yoga first so that I've loosened up and then I'll go and fit in loosened up and then I'll go and fit in loosened up and then I'll go and fit in it it um it is really lovely to go for a walk um it is really lovely to go for a walk um it is really lovely to go for a walk first and if your legs are hurting to first and if your legs are hurting to first and if your legs are hurting to get in that because the pain goes away get in that because the pain goes away get in that because the pain goes away but if I'm up by a mountain town what I but if I'm up by a mountain town what I but if I'm up by a mountain town what I tend to do is stand in my swimming tend to do is stand in my swimming tend to do is stand in my swimming costume just for a minute or so and costume just for a minute or so and costume just for a minute or so and prepare my body for the cold because it prepare my body for the cold because it prepare my body for the cold because it seems really unfair when it's kind of seems really unfair when it's kind of seems really unfair when it's kind of hot and sweaty and you are a long way hot and sweaty and you are a long way hot and sweaty and you are a long way from help from help from help up there I up there I up there I um yeah I let the cold air get to my um yeah I let the cold air get to my um yeah I let the cold air get to my body I let the the sweat from my body I let the the sweat from my body I let the the sweat from my backpack kind of go away backpack kind of go away backpack kind of go away um this is the lady up in Scotland um this is the lady up in Scotland um this is the lady up in Scotland um a lady spent locked down in her um a lady spent locked down in her um a lady spent locked down in her wheelie bin every day she used to go and wheelie bin every day she used to go and wheelie bin every day she used to go and sit in her wheelabin sit in her wheelabin sit in her wheelabin um she lives in Birmingham Birmingham um she lives in Birmingham Birmingham um she lives in Birmingham Birmingham area and this was her savior
25:00area and this was her savior area and this was her savior um she actually took it on as a lover um she actually took it on as a lover um she actually took it on as a lover and her husband was quite happy for that and her husband was quite happy for that and her husband was quite happy for that and he used to take out her towel and a and he used to take out her towel and a and he used to take out her towel and a cup of coffee and make sure she went out cup of coffee and make sure she went out cup of coffee and make sure she went out there every day there every day there every day and it was a beautiful relationship and it was a beautiful relationship and it was a beautiful relationship which came to an end after lockdown and which came to an end after lockdown and which came to an end after lockdown and she was forced to go back out to the she was forced to go back out to the she was forced to go back out to the lake but I believe she's using using her lake but I believe she's using using her lake but I believe she's using using her wheelie bin again now because again it's wheelie bin again now because again it's wheelie bin again now because again it's like my tub it's convenient like my tub it's convenient like my tub it's convenient um it's predictable it's safe and it's um it's predictable it's safe and it's um it's predictable it's safe and it's accessible accessible accessible um this is bassen's weight and this is um this is bassen's weight and this is um this is bassen's weight and this is Alice who's also in the book Alice who's also in the book Alice who's also in the book um and we meet she'll get up and we'll um and we meet she'll get up and we'll um and we meet she'll get up and we'll go early mornings and it's a beautiful go early mornings and it's a beautiful go early mornings and it's a beautiful place for Sunrise place for Sunrise place for Sunrise um and we just chatter away um and we just chatter away um and we just chatter away um and it's it's just a lovely thing to um and it's it's just a lovely thing to um and it's it's just a lovely thing to do with friends just one one friend a do with friends just one one friend a do with friends just one one friend a couple of friends do you I mean do do most people that
26:00do you I mean do do most people that you've met and that you obviously bring you've met and that you obviously bring you've met and that you obviously bring into the book as well have many of them into the book as well have many of them into the book as well have many of them come from requiring some Aid to recover come from requiring some Aid to recover come from requiring some Aid to recover from some sort of medical or or from some sort of medical or or from some sort of medical or or operation uh situation or have they come operation uh situation or have they come operation uh situation or have they come to it to it to it on on a different route you know the on on a different route you know the on on a different route you know the reason they're actually doing it is it reason they're actually doing it is it reason they're actually doing it is it for other reasons apart from sort of for other reasons apart from sort of for other reasons apart from sort of medical benefits medical benefits medical benefits absolutely this is what I found with absolutely this is what I found with absolutely this is what I found with everybody I everybody I everybody I totally different reason why they love totally different reason why they love totally different reason why they love the cold the cold the cold um for Ellie who's in Norway um for Ellie who's in Norway um for Ellie who's in Norway um she that's her house in the um she that's her house in the um she that's her house in the background she literally can walk down background she literally can walk down background she literally can walk down there and just plop into the Fjord there and just plop into the Fjord there and just plop into the Fjord um she does it for migraines migraines um she does it for migraines migraines um she does it for migraines migraines she gets really severe ones so it's the she gets really severe ones so it's the she gets really severe ones so it's the only thing that helps her only thing that helps her only thing that helps her um but she actually does it because it um but she actually does it because it um but she actually does it because it makes her feel happy as well makes her feel happy as well
27:00makes her feel happy as well um this is Claudia again down and she um this is Claudia again down and she um this is Claudia again down and she does it because it brings her close to does it because it brings her close to does it because it brings her close to Nature Nature Nature um so it's um so it's um so it's and this is Rory Southworth who measures and this is Rory Southworth who measures and this is Rory Southworth who measures everything absolutely everything everything absolutely everything everything absolutely everything um and he has done various projects like um and he has done various projects like um and he has done various projects like the dark tones project where he will the dark tones project where he will the dark tones project where he will swim in the high towns run up there swim swim in the high towns run up there swim swim in the high towns run up there swim in the high tons he's always on his own in the high tons he's always on his own in the high tons he's always on his own because he feels safer because he sets because he feels safer because he sets because he feels safer because he sets everything up precisely to suit him everything up precisely to suit him everything up precisely to suit him um he does it because he is um um he does it because he is um um he does it because he is um constantly competing against himself constantly competing against himself constantly competing against himself time time time um distance cold Etc um distance cold Etc um distance cold Etc um um and he but he initially started it and he but he initially started it and he but he initially started it because he had an ankle injury because he had an ankle injury because he had an ankle injury um and he felt that it would be um and he felt that it would be um and he felt that it would be something he could do while he wasn't something he could do while he wasn't something he could do while he wasn't running running running um but mostly and yeah this is me trying um but mostly and yeah this is me trying um but mostly and yeah this is me trying out a wheelie bin out a wheelie bin out a wheelie bin um and that's amazing because I'm five um and that's amazing because I'm five um and that's amazing because I'm five foot ten getting in's fine but getting
28:00foot ten getting in's fine but getting foot ten getting in's fine but getting out was really quite tricky at times out was really quite tricky at times out was really quite tricky at times um and I think my son thought I was gone um and I think my son thought I was gone um and I think my son thought I was gone completely bonkers completely bonkers completely bonkers but again it's and this is um I have a but again it's and this is um I have a but again it's and this is um I have a fear of deep water and this is lobster fear of deep water and this is lobster fear of deep water and this is lobster um which is down in the southwest this um which is down in the southwest this um which is down in the southwest this is Tara one of my thinkers and she is Tara one of my thinkers and she is Tara one of my thinkers and she pushed me in pushed me in pushed me in um which actually was the best thing she um which actually was the best thing she um which actually was the best thing she could have done could have done could have done um because I didn't have to overthink it um because I didn't have to overthink it um because I didn't have to overthink it I just went in and it's incredibly deep I just went in and it's incredibly deep I just went in and it's incredibly deep um but I I was fine I really surprised um but I I was fine I really surprised um but I I was fine I really surprised myself myself myself um um and I think you can overcome your fears and I think you can overcome your fears and I think you can overcome your fears by just not overthinking them by just not overthinking them by just not overthinking them um and just doing it um and just doing it um and just doing it yeah yeah and what about the actual yeah yeah and what about the actual yeah yeah and what about the actual quality of the waters that you're quality of the waters that you're quality of the waters that you're swimming in as well the obviously there swimming in as well the obviously there swimming in as well the obviously there is a that part of the health and safety is a that part of the health and safety is a that part of the health and safety to consider is water quality itself as to consider is water quality itself as to consider is water quality itself as opposed to the temperature of the water opposed to the temperature of the water opposed to the temperature of the water is there any reason that you've been
29:00is there any reason that you've been is there any reason that you've been concerned about what you've been concerned about what you've been concerned about what you've been swimming in um sometimes in the late District we get um sometimes in the late District we get blue green algae so that doesn't blue green algae so that doesn't blue green algae so that doesn't actually harm us particularly actually harm us particularly actually harm us particularly um but it can it can can make you feel um but it can it can can make you feel um but it can it can can make you feel sick sick sick um and it's not particularly pleasant as um and it's not particularly pleasant as um and it's not particularly pleasant as women women women um so the water quality I don't get too um so the water quality I don't get too um so the water quality I don't get too worried about it worried about it worried about it um I think I'm very lucky in that um I think I'm very lucky in that um I think I'm very lucky in that everywhere I go up here in The Lakes is everywhere I go up here in The Lakes is everywhere I go up here in The Lakes is pretty clean I know there's a lot of pretty clean I know there's a lot of pretty clean I know there's a lot of issues with Windermere potentially at issues with Windermere potentially at issues with Windermere potentially at the moment but I've never been worried the moment but I've never been worried the moment but I've never been worried about it there no about it there no about it there no okay okay okay um well we've certainly I think wetted um well we've certainly I think wetted um well we've certainly I think wetted you see what I did there where did you see what I did there where did you see what I did there where did people's appetite to to know more about people's appetite to to know more about people's appetite to to know more about uh the the book and we'll come on to the uh the the book and we'll come on to the uh the the book and we'll come on to the book details uh in a moment but taking book details uh in a moment but taking book details uh in a moment but taking that safety issue a stage further I'm that safety issue a stage further I'm that safety issue a stage further I'm sure most people would want to know how
30:00sure most people would want to know how sure most people would want to know how safe it is as a hobby or a Pastime and safe it is as a hobby or a Pastime and safe it is as a hobby or a Pastime and what you might have to consider if you what you might have to consider if you what you might have to consider if you wanted to start from somewhere if wanted to start from somewhere if wanted to start from somewhere if somebody said right okay this this somebody said right okay this this somebody said right okay this this sounds like a thing for me to help me sounds like a thing for me to help me sounds like a thing for me to help me with my recovery or I'm curious to with my recovery or I'm curious to with my recovery or I'm curious to explore it further what's what's the explore it further what's what's the explore it further what's what's the bare minimum you would suggest people do bare minimum you would suggest people do bare minimum you would suggest people do and consider how do they go about it get and consider how do they go about it get and consider how do they go about it get into a social group first or head out to into a social group first or head out to into a social group first or head out to on the Hills themselves on the Hills themselves on the Hills themselves I would strongly recommend going with a I would strongly recommend going with a I would strongly recommend going with a small group small group small group um maybe not a large group because you um maybe not a large group because you um maybe not a large group because you could get lost amongst it you need to could get lost amongst it you need to could get lost amongst it you need to have one person who is experienced and have one person who is experienced and have one person who is experienced and go with them learn from them go with them learn from them go with them learn from them um I see nothing wrong in going on your um I see nothing wrong in going on your um I see nothing wrong in going on your own and actually if you're on your own own and actually if you're on your own own and actually if you're on your own you tend to double the sort of you tend to double the sort of you tend to double the sort of precautions you take anyway and you you precautions you take anyway and you you precautions you take anyway and you you can do things at your own pace but can do things at your own pace but can do things at your own pace but certainly if you've not really done it certainly if you've not really done it certainly if you've not really done it before I would go with a small group or
31:00before I would go with a small group or before I would go with a small group or a swim guide a trained qualified swim a swim guide a trained qualified swim a swim guide a trained qualified swim guide guide guide um um and read up about it talk to people and read up about it talk to people and read up about it talk to people um and put together your own little um and put together your own little um and put together your own little essential kit that you always take with essential kit that you always take with essential kit that you always take with you such as a hot drink layers of you such as a hot drink layers of you such as a hot drink layers of clothing you don't have to have fancy clothing you don't have to have fancy clothing you don't have to have fancy dry robes dry robes dry robes um and um and um and fancy rucksacks or anything but a hot fancy rucksacks or anything but a hot fancy rucksacks or anything but a hot drink yes definitely drink yes definitely drink yes definitely and layers to put on afterwards and a and layers to put on afterwards and a and layers to put on afterwards and a hat to keep your head warm yeah hat to keep your head warm yeah hat to keep your head warm yeah so is there is there um a bare minimum so is there is there um a bare minimum so is there is there um a bare minimum of equipment that people I mean is it an of equipment that people I mean is it an of equipment that people I mean is it an expensive hobby to get into because I in expensive hobby to get into because I in expensive hobby to get into because I in the book you mentioned certain gloves the book you mentioned certain gloves the book you mentioned certain gloves and certain booties and and different and certain booties and and different and certain booties and and different things like that would you advise people things like that would you advise people things like that would you advise people starting with a wetsuit just to Aid them starting with a wetsuit just to Aid them starting with a wetsuit just to Aid them or does that not make any difference or does that not make any difference or does that not make any difference really really I wouldn't start with a wetsuit if your I wouldn't start with a wetsuit if your I wouldn't start with a wetsuit if your plan is to to swim skins which is what
32:00plan is to to swim skins which is what plan is to to swim skins which is what it's called if you're just in a swimsuit it's called if you're just in a swimsuit it's called if you're just in a swimsuit then start swimming skins then start swimming skins then start swimming skins um and what really helps is to have some um and what really helps is to have some um and what really helps is to have some sort of swim shoes and they could be sort of swim shoes and they could be sort of swim shoes and they could be neoprene so you're keeping your feet neoprene so you're keeping your feet neoprene so you're keeping your feet warm or they could just be the cheap warm or they could just be the cheap warm or they could just be the cheap sort of toy shop Amazon sort of toy shop Amazon sort of toy shop Amazon um swim shoes because if your feet are um swim shoes because if your feet are um swim shoes because if your feet are painful on on rocks or whatever that's painful on on rocks or whatever that's painful on on rocks or whatever that's just going to add to the pain so take just going to add to the pain so take just going to add to the pain so take that away get some swim shoes that away get some swim shoes that away get some swim shoes um lightweight ones not your trainers um lightweight ones not your trainers um lightweight ones not your trainers um you don't need a big cloak get a um you don't need a big cloak get a um you don't need a big cloak get a microfiber changing robes thing that you microfiber changing robes thing that you microfiber changing robes thing that you can just kind of pull down over you so can just kind of pull down over you so can just kind of pull down over you so that stops the wind on you straight away that stops the wind on you straight away that stops the wind on you straight away um some kind of rucksack hot drink um some kind of rucksack hot drink um some kind of rucksack hot drink um if you're starting at this time of um if you're starting at this time of um if you're starting at this time of year you can get near premium swim year you can get near premium swim year you can get near premium swim gloves from the dreaded Amazon really gloves from the dreaded Amazon really gloves from the dreaded Amazon really quite reasonably you don't have to go quite reasonably you don't have to go quite reasonably you don't have to go for the brand names just anything that's for the brand names just anything that's for the brand names just anything that's going to keep your hands warm and I going to keep your hands warm and I going to keep your hands warm and I would strongly advise not actually
33:00would strongly advise not actually would strongly advise not actually swimming I would just say get in the swimming I would just say get in the swimming I would just say get in the water stand in the water sit down in it water stand in the water sit down in it water stand in the water sit down in it I quite often go to the lake and because I quite often go to the lake and because I quite often go to the lake and because I go on my own a lot I'm not going to I go on my own a lot I'm not going to I go on my own a lot I'm not going to swim out into the middle on my own I'm swim out into the middle on my own I'm swim out into the middle on my own I'm not you know I'm a confident swimmer but not you know I'm a confident swimmer but not you know I'm a confident swimmer but not confident about doing that not confident about doing that not confident about doing that um I just go in and I've taken a cup of um I just go in and I've taken a cup of um I just go in and I've taken a cup of tea and I just sit in the water and kind tea and I just sit in the water and kind tea and I just sit in the water and kind of up to my waist and just enjoy being of up to my waist and just enjoy being of up to my waist and just enjoy being out outside out outside out outside um um is there any need to to actually totally is there any need to to actually totally is there any need to to actually totally immerse or are is there uh do you get as immerse or are is there uh do you get as immerse or are is there uh do you get as much from it from sitting in the water much from it from sitting in the water much from it from sitting in the water to having it up to your neck to actually to having it up to your neck to actually to having it up to your neck to actually immersing um there's something which people laugh um there's something which people laugh when I talk about it but it's the back when I talk about it but it's the back when I talk about it but it's the back of your neck it is the mammalian gland of your neck it is the mammalian gland of your neck it is the mammalian gland it's the vagus nerve and if you can get it's the vagus nerve and if you can get it's the vagus nerve and if you can get that immersed you will get colder again that immersed you will get colder again that immersed you will get colder again so it kind of will increase the effect
34:00so it kind of will increase the effect so it kind of will increase the effect on you on you on you um um so everybody says get your heart in so everybody says get your heart in so everybody says get your heart in um um uh you don't have to have your hands in uh you don't have to have your hands in uh you don't have to have your hands in the ladies in Scandinavia you see them the ladies in Scandinavia you see them the ladies in Scandinavia you see them all sitting in the water with their all sitting in the water with their all sitting in the water with their hands out hands out hands out um and hats on you know so um and hats on you know so um and hats on you know so um I lie in the water sometimes I very um I lie in the water sometimes I very um I lie in the water sometimes I very often get my head wet as well often get my head wet as well often get my head wet as well um I so if I find a a Back Mountain um I so if I find a a Back Mountain um I so if I find a a Back Mountain stream with a waterfall stream with a waterfall stream with a waterfall my aim is to get my head in that my aim is to get my head in that my aim is to get my head in that waterfall because for me that complete waterfall because for me that complete waterfall because for me that complete immersion but with that rushing immersion but with that rushing immersion but with that rushing oxygenated water on your head just as oxygenated water on your head just as oxygenated water on your head just as like such a buzz it's just amazing like such a buzz it's just amazing like such a buzz it's just amazing um um well if people want to find out more well if people want to find out more well if people want to find out more about your activities and follow you about your activities and follow you about your activities and follow you there's obviously the book which we'll there's obviously the book which we'll there's obviously the book which we'll come on to in a second where to get that come on to in a second where to get that come on to in a second where to get that from and which is from vertebrate from and which is from vertebrate from and which is from vertebrate publishing of course but there is your publishing of course but there is your publishing of course but there is your extensive uh Instagram uh Bumble barns extensive uh Instagram uh Bumble barns extensive uh Instagram uh Bumble barns uh which has got a whole variety of
35:00uh which has got a whole variety of uh which has got a whole variety of pictures and video clips on it I can see pictures and video clips on it I can see pictures and video clips on it I can see here that will entertain people and I here that will entertain people and I here that will entertain people and I understand from what you were saying understand from what you were saying understand from what you were saying earlier on that quite a few people are earlier on that quite a few people are earlier on that quite a few people are finding you via this the instagramers finding you via this the instagramers finding you via this the instagramers there obviously exploring the the whole there obviously exploring the the whole there obviously exploring the the whole concept of of a cold fix concept of of a cold fix concept of of a cold fix yes yes yes um I try and tell stories on that um I try and tell stories on that um I try and tell stories on that um I don't tend to give advice I just um I don't tend to give advice I just um I don't tend to give advice I just say how it makes me feel or how I've say how it makes me feel or how I've say how it makes me feel or how I've gone and done something and how I've gone and done something and how I've gone and done something and how I've found it and how it's made me feel found it and how it's made me feel found it and how it's made me feel um um you can see I go and find waterfalls you can see I go and find waterfalls you can see I go and find waterfalls I've been doing a lot about the cold fix I've been doing a lot about the cold fix I've been doing a lot about the cold fix recently but um and that's a barrel that recently but um and that's a barrel that recently but um and that's a barrel that was given to me and it just feels was given to me and it just feels was given to me and it just feels fabulous if you overfill it and then it fabulous if you overfill it and then it fabulous if you overfill it and then it all just flows out there's something so all just flows out there's something so all just flows out there's something so childish about making all that water go childish about making all that water go childish about making all that water go everywhere and have a nice big mug of everywhere and have a nice big mug of everywhere and have a nice big mug of tea there next to you by looks of it oh tea there next to you by looks of it oh tea there next to you by looks of it oh yes that's my mug yep yes that's my mug yep yes that's my mug yep it's just the people I meet
36:00it's just the people I meet it's just the people I meet um I like to do posts about the people um I like to do posts about the people um I like to do posts about the people I've met and just tell little stories I've met and just tell little stories I've met and just tell little stories rather than just say yeah medicine so we rather than just say yeah medicine so we rather than just say yeah medicine so we went for a swim went for a swim went for a swim um I use it as a testing out my own um I use it as a testing out my own um I use it as a testing out my own writing skills as well excellent well to people obviously would excellent well to people obviously would like to read the book I'm sure so let's like to read the book I'm sure so let's like to read the book I'm sure so let's just have a look where they can get that just have a look where they can get that just have a look where they can get that from from from um of course they can get that from um of course they can get that from um of course they can get that from Ventura publishing and the dreaded Ventura publishing and the dreaded Ventura publishing and the dreaded Amazon as you said yourself is another Amazon as you said yourself is another Amazon as you said yourself is another place place place and they can pick it up in all sorts of and they can pick it up in all sorts of and they can pick it up in all sorts of formats hardback softback and good old formats hardback softback and good old formats hardback softback and good old Kindle as well uh so so Sarah it's been lovely talking to you so Sarah it's been lovely talking to you now it's a it's an as I say not a now it's a it's an as I say not a now it's a it's an as I say not a familiar subject for me but of all the familiar subject for me but of all the familiar subject for me but of all the things I could have asked you about this things I could have asked you about this things I could have asked you about this particular subject and your book what particular subject and your book what particular subject and your book what should I have asked you
37:00should I have asked you should I have asked you I think what we didn't touch on was why I think what we didn't touch on was why I think what we didn't touch on was why divided it up into thinkers Warriors and divided it up into thinkers Warriors and divided it up into thinkers Warriors and mothers mothers mothers um and then nobody has ever asked me um and then nobody has ever asked me um and then nobody has ever asked me which one of those is my predominant which one of those is my predominant which one of those is my predominant character trait character trait character trait okay far away then um well I divided it up into these um well I divided it up into these characters because I feel those are my characters because I feel those are my characters because I feel those are my main characteristics main characteristics main characteristics um and after the operation I felt um and after the operation I felt um and after the operation I felt completely broken and I wanted to find a completely broken and I wanted to find a completely broken and I wanted to find a way of kind of putting myself back way of kind of putting myself back way of kind of putting myself back together again so by going out into the together again so by going out into the together again so by going out into the community that's how I thought I would community that's how I thought I would community that's how I thought I would manage it manage it manage it um and I reckoned that um and I reckoned that um and I reckoned that um one way to choose people was to um one way to choose people was to um one way to choose people was to divide them up so I thought right who do divide them up so I thought right who do divide them up so I thought right who do I think are the thinkers who I think are the thinkers who I think are the thinkers who predominantly is an overthinker or predominantly is an overthinker or predominantly is an overthinker or planned stuff who's a warrior who I who planned stuff who's a warrior who I who planned stuff who's a warrior who I who do I see as do I see as do I see as you know championing other people Etc so
38:00you know championing other people Etc so you know championing other people Etc so that's how I divided it that's how I divided it that's how I divided it um and I think um and I think um and I think predominantly I'm a mother predominantly I'm a mother predominantly I'm a mother um I do have my own children but I also um I do have my own children but I also um I do have my own children but I also tend to Mother people I want to look tend to Mother people I want to look tend to Mother people I want to look after people and I often do that to the after people and I often do that to the after people and I often do that to the detriment of not looking after myself detriment of not looking after myself detriment of not looking after myself but it just is my natural inclination as but it just is my natural inclination as but it just is my natural inclination as to want people to feel safe and looked to want people to feel safe and looked to want people to feel safe and looked after after after um and then I'm also a bit of a warrior um and then I'm also a bit of a warrior um and then I'm also a bit of a warrior um these little wounds on my face are um these little wounds on my face are um these little wounds on my face are not to do with fighting the Ice it's um not to do with fighting the Ice it's um not to do with fighting the Ice it's um minor surgery I've had recently not a minor surgery I've had recently not a minor surgery I've had recently not a facelift facelift facelift but I'm a panther as well I really enjoy but I'm a panther as well I really enjoy but I'm a panther as well I really enjoy well I never had any body confidence but well I never had any body confidence but well I never had any body confidence but I've gained it now from doing this I've gained it now from doing this I've gained it now from doing this swimming and hanging around in my swimming and hanging around in my swimming and hanging around in my bathing costume bathing costume bathing costume um you just gain body confidence you um you just gain body confidence you um you just gain body confidence you have to have to have to um if you're going to do films of um if you're going to do films of
39:00um if you're going to do films of yourself yourself yourself um so those I'm not a thinker um so those I'm not a thinker um so those I'm not a thinker particularly I'm not an overthinker but particularly I'm not an overthinker but particularly I'm not an overthinker but so my predominant one's a mother Warrior so my predominant one's a mother Warrior so my predominant one's a mother Warrior and panther I would say but the other and panther I would say but the other and panther I would say but the other ones are there within me as well like ones are there within me as well like ones are there within me as well like the child and so on well congratulations the child and so on well congratulations the child and so on well congratulations well and definitely congratulations on well and definitely congratulations on well and definitely congratulations on the book as well it's it's a very the book as well it's it's a very the book as well it's it's a very fascinating read and certainly does give fascinating read and certainly does give fascinating read and certainly does give you lots of thought about the benefits you lots of thought about the benefits you lots of thought about the benefits not just the health benefits but also not just the health benefits but also not just the health benefits but also the focusing and the the mental benefits the focusing and the the mental benefits the focusing and the the mental benefits as well of being present in the moment as well of being present in the moment as well of being present in the moment which is obviously quite a popular Topic which is obviously quite a popular Topic which is obviously quite a popular Topic at the moment so thank you very much at the moment so thank you very much at the moment so thank you very much indeed for your time and hopefully we indeed for your time and hopefully we indeed for your time and hopefully we will speak to you again when you have will speak to you again when you have will speak to you again when you have your next book your next book your next book thank you very much thanks for having me thank you very much thanks for having me thank you very much thanks for having me well my thanks to Sarah for sharing her well my thanks to Sarah for sharing her well my thanks to Sarah for sharing her story and also explaining the benefits story and also explaining the benefits story and also explaining the benefits she's found from cold water immersion she's found from cold water immersion she's found from cold water immersion and certainly the way that it aided her and certainly the way that it aided her and certainly the way that it aided her recovery recovery if you're interested in knowing more
40:00if you're interested in knowing more if you're interested in knowing more about this subject I'll put all the about this subject I'll put all the about this subject I'll put all the links to everything on the show notes so links to everything on the show notes so links to everything on the show notes so you can follow up yourself her Instagram you can follow up yourself her Instagram you can follow up yourself her Instagram page and watch and listen to other page and watch and listen to other page and watch and listen to other stories that she shares there there's stories that she shares there there's stories that she shares there there's certainly plenty of conversation in the certainly plenty of conversation in the certainly plenty of conversation in the book with other people around Europe and book with other people around Europe and book with other people around Europe and the benefits they have felt from cold the benefits they have felt from cold the benefits they have felt from cold water immersion and certainly some water immersion and certainly some water immersion and certainly some interesting stories about how they break interesting stories about how they break interesting stories about how they break the ice with the chainsaw the ice with the chainsaw the ice with the chainsaw that's serious that's serious that's serious immersion immersion immersion so folks if that is of interest to you so folks if that is of interest to you so folks if that is of interest to you then do take care do make sure you take then do take care do make sure you take then do take care do make sure you take a friend and plenty of warm clothing and a friend and plenty of warm clothing and a friend and plenty of warm clothing and take it steady and get some good advice take it steady and get some good advice take it steady and get some good advice and if it doesn't interest you do stay and if it doesn't interest you do stay and if it doesn't interest you do stay warm and toasty this winter time until warm and toasty this winter time until warm and toasty this winter time until next time folks take care whatever you next time folks take care whatever you next time folks take care whatever you do and do and do and bye for now bye for now bye for now [Music]