In 1926, Trudy Ederle dove into the cold, churning water determined to do what many said no woman could — and she didn’t just finish, she made history. Trudy became the first woman to swim the English Channel, smashing the men’s record by nearly two hours.
When the wind howled and the waves rose, someone from her support boat shouted for her to quit, to get out of the water. Her response has echoed through history:
“What for?”
In this episode, we explore Trudy’s extraordinary journey — not just the swim, but the grit, defiance, and quiet revolution it sparked. Joining me is acclaimed author Glenn Stout, whose book Young Woman and the Sea, inspired the Disney film of the same name. Glenn is a master storyteller — warm, deeply knowledgeable, and inspiring!
Why listen:
• A gripping, immersive opening that puts you right in the Channel with Trudy.
• Insights from Glenn on the real woman behind the legend.
• A reminder that courage isn’t loud — it just keeps swimming.
This is more than a sports story. It’s a story about refusing to be stopped.
Glenn Stout (website)
Unstoppable Podcast - Website
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