iSwim4

An audience can expect to hear a story that is relatable. My age and limitations, combined with the potential I have within, is a story common to many people who have ever struggled to reach their goals, despite knowing that they possess the ability deep down. Many may be on the verge of giving up due to their age and previous shortcomings.
An employer or team leader will understand the narrative of the solo achievement of a desired outcome that requires the assembly of the right team - especially the key component of a mentor in the form of the kayaker.
Audience and Client alike will be mesmerized by the narrative of swimming alone at night in the middle of the ocean with nothing but the power of one's thoughts and visualizations to get them through the doubt and fear associated with being vulnerable in a dark ocean. They'll hear how I prepared for the worst, suffered through hours of shivering training swims, endured major setbacks and came away triumphant.
Just like "the feel good movie of the year," the audience will see themselves and their own struggles and recognize their own potential and opportunity through an engaging story.

After spending a decade in the middle of my prime (40's) either un- or under-employed, I finally took matters into my own hands and did something about removing the obstacles and challenges that stood in the way of my ability to succeed. Although I recognized my limitations, I chose to focus on what was still possible rather than what was holding me back. In my case, I had to overcome a dependence on alcohol, but I don't focus on this "disease" or "disorder" in my presentation, unless appropriate. I simply address it as an obstacle that I needed to overcome.
Upon recognizing how far I had come instead of how much further I had to go, I continued to build on every small success I had. I also recognized my ability to inspire others through my ambitions to "do big things." I set about swimming longer and longer distances that I had ever attempted. First, 12 kilometers - or 7.5 miles - 50% further than I had ever swam before. As a race, I placed 2nd and recognized my ability to continue to conquer even larger pursuits.
Next, I swam 12 miles of harbor and open ocean when I circumnavigated Coronado Island, which included North Island Naval Station made famous in Top Gun-Maverick.
Still convinced that these achievements were stepping stones in my quest to build on my successes, I set out to swim the Catalina Channel - 20.9 miles of open ocean. This pursuit is considered one leg of the Global Triple Crown of Open Water Marathon Swimming.
In one of the most critical life lessons I would ever have to wrap my head around, I did not succeed on my first attempt. I had to re-group, focus on the lessons learned and train for the same goal for an entire additional year. When I completed the swim in 2022, I realized that the actual swim itself was one of the easiest things I had ever done. I was prepared, I had learned important lessons through initial failure and I had the right team in place - including the key component of my odyssey - having the right kayaker to accompany, guide, nourish and encourage me the entire way.

Ideally, I will have some type of spotlight with a dimming capability to demonstrate the "dimmer switch effect." I also require simple audio (microphone/PA) and video screening equipment to show video and still photography of my various swim events.