Episode 21 - Bec Johnson - Type 1 Diabetes Ultramarathon Swimmer and all-round "powerhouse"

Swim Smooth

We are back with an in-depth conversation today with Bec Johnson, a Type-1 diabetes ultramarathon swimmer coached by Paul Newsome here in Perth, Western Australia.
Bec was diagnosed with Type-1 diabetes at the age of 17 and was determined not to let it ruin and control her active lifestyle, instead, she leaned into it and in 2015 set up the Type 1 Diabetes Family Centre in Perth (https://www.type1familycentre.org.au) to inspire others to live a healthy and active life with this incurable disease.
This year, Bec is taken on the huge goal of swimming the following 3 ultramarathon swimming events - and Swim Smooth Head Coach Paul Newsome will be with her along the way - coaching from the boat and occasionally keeping pace in the water alongside Bec (if he's not too afraid of the sharks that is!):
1. The Rottnest Channel Swim (19.7km) on 23rd February 2020
2. The Port-to-Pub Channel Swim (25km and the southern hemisphere's 2nd longest swim) on 21st March 2020
3. A 39.4km swim to Rottnest Island and back again (some time in April when the conditions look good!)
She is charting her progress through her fund-raising campaign: https://www.lifewithoutlimits.com.au and also on https://www.facebook.com/lifewithoutlimits2020/ and is aiming to raise $85,000 for the Type-1 Diabetes Family Centre (currently she's at $60,038 as of 7th March 2020).
Bec is a wonderful ambassador, not just for Type-1 diabetes sufferers, but for everyone in all aspects of life, seeking to squeeze the last drops of fun, joy and adventure in everything she does. She has a super positive outlook filled with gratitude that comes across highly in the podcast and to everyone that she meets. When MP for Stirling Vince Connelly (who features at the start of the podcast) speaks of Bec Johnson and the wonderful work she is doing for diabetes treatment in the Australian Federal Parliament just a few days after the first swim, he calls her an "an absolute powerhouse!" and nothing could more true! This weekend in fact, she will feature on the front cover of the Sunday Times Magazine "STM" in honour of International Women's Day - amazing! She is also the only Australian to have been selected as one of the 100 Fellows of the global Facebook Community Leadership Program and has been nominated for one of the coveted 40 Under 40 awards for her work as co-founder and CEO of the Type-1 Diabetes Family Centre.
Prepare to be wowed and inspired by someone who truly raises the benchmark to a whole new level!
Oh yeah...and we talk about some swimming too and Bec's training regime in the Swim Smooth Perth Squad ;-)
Enjoy!
P.S we must apologise for the occasional "welp!" from Paul's pet dog, Sandy! Naughty Sandy!