Sean Conway is an endurance adventurer who takes pleasure in mentally and physically pushing himself way beyond what was thought possible. He recently became the first person in history to swim the length of Britain, despite being told he’d die trying.
This June Sean will share his gripping stories at Grassington Festival, where he will also talk about setting your goals high, challenging yourself and overcoming tough times. Rachel Auty caught up with him.
As a man who is always on the go, what are you doing at the moment?
I’m currently training to run the length of Britain. I have previously cycled from Lands End to John O’Groats in 2007 and with the swim last year and the run this year I will complete the world’s first ever length of Britain triathlon. I am inviting people with amazing stories to come and join in a section of the run, you can apply through my website www.runseanrun.com. I’m doing it self-supported which should be fun too, it should take me around 40 days running 35 miles per day and I can’t wait to get back out there.
When you completed Swimming Britain, you said you were ‘possibly the happiest you had ever been in your entire life’. What was it about this particular challenge that made you feel this way?
The swim was by far the hardest thing I have ever done. I was not a serious swimmer before the trip so it was hard to keep going. I was burning more calories than I could eat and there was nowhere on the boat where I could warm up, so the freezing cold and the fatigue was at times just too much for me. I got stung in the face by jellyfish so grew a beard to protect myself, and my gag reflex from salt water would make me throw up. Getting to the end and knowing I would be warm was such a good feeling; the sense of achievement when I stepped onto land was incredible.
Of the challenges you’ve done to date, what has been the hardest thing you’ve had to overcome?
The swim itself was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but the hardest thing I’ve had to deal with was during my world record cycle attempt. I was in America and on track to beat the current world record attempt when I was run over by a car travelling at 50mph. I suffered a fractured spine, severe whiplash, concussion and torn ligaments. My dream of breaking the world record was shattered but I still wanted to continue in order to follow my dream and raise money for a charity called Solar Aid. My average speed dropped from 180 to 140 miles per day, and it became a race to get back to London in time for the Olympics. I arrived back in London with a week to spare having covered 16,000 miles, 12,000 of them with a fractured spine. It was a hard thing to deal with physically and mentally, when I had been so close to achieving my goal.
What have your adventure achievements taught you about yourself?
It’s taught me that we are all a lot more physically and mentally capable than we think we are, and if you push yourself you can achieve extraordinary things.
As well as being an endurance adventurer you are also a motivational speaker. What is it that you hope to pass on to others?
Adventure isn’t all about climbing mountains or rowing oceans. Adventure in its purest form is simply a way of thinking. I think we should all think a little more adventurously and go out there and push ourselves. I think you’ll surprise yourself.
You grew the beard to protect your face against jellyfish stings. Then shaved it off. Then grew it back again. Is it here to stay this time?
Hahaha! I’ve had a beard for the best part of 2 years now. (Even before they were cool – ha). I ironically shaved if before the swim thinking it would help me, when actually I needed it more than ever. So yes, the beard it here to stay.
You are currently restoring a WW2 boat, which you intend to live on. Where did this idea come from?
I love the water (obviously) and I like the idea of being able to move if I don’t like my neighbours or when I want to go write my book. I’ve been looking for a boat for a while but it needed to have character. I didn’t want a canal boat (I have too many bicycles – ha). When this came up on Ebay I knew it was the boat for me.
What does a day in the life of Sean Conway look like?
Very varied but now it’s something like this:
Get up and make cup of Earl Grey Tea.
Check emails to see if there is anything important I need to deal with.
Go to the gym, a run, or swim.
Get back home and spend most of the day writing my next book, planning logistics for next adventure, writing blog, editing videos and doing interviews.
Once or twice a week I then head off to a school to give a talk to the kids, which I love.
In the evening I try and relax, read a book, watch a film or catch up with friends.
I then work again from about 10pm till 1am. I find when the world is asleep and its dark outside I get more done.
You’re writing a book about your Swimming Britain adventures, which you’ve called ‘High Water’. When will it be on sale?
April 2015.
You described Swimming Britain as ‘a pretty far flung dream’ that became reality. What other ‘dreams’ do you hope to make reality?
My next ‘dream’ is to become the fastest person to run the length of Africa. It’s not hard because only one other person has done it but I would love to do that.
Sean Conway will speak at Grassington Town Hall on Monday 23rd June, 8pm. Tickets are £10.00 and available online at www.grassington-festival.org.uk/events/sean-conway
Photography by Martin Hartley.
Cheers Guys
Nice article
Sean
Coolness personified ,great role model!