Brace yourself for a story filled with determination, family love, and personal growth. In this episode, we follow Jason’s extraordinary goal to conquer the mighty waters of Lake Ontario.

Meet Jason, a loving husband and doting father to a delightful five-year-old daughter. Amidst his bustling life, he reveals his new challenge — one that will push his limits.

Taking inspiration from his courageous grandfather, who braved the waters of Lake Huron at 50 years old, Jason followed in his footsteps and also swam across the lake at 23 years old.

Now, over a decade later, he’s training to swim Lake Ontario. Jason paints a vivid picture of the nonstop journey, where even moments of respite are spent treading water—a true testament to the unwavering dedication required.

In this episode, we talk about motivation, goal setting, mental health and mindset.

Themes

Personal Challenge and Determination

The episode explores Jason’s personal journey of setting a monumental goal, swimming across Lake Ontario, and his relentless pursuit to overcome challenges and achieve triumph.

Family Legacy and Inspiration

Jason’s admiration for his grandfather’s swimming accomplishments, particularly his swim across Lake Huron, serves as a profound inspiration for Jason’s own aquatic endeavors, highlighting the power of family connections and the passing down of values.

Motivation and Training

Jason’s commitment to training and preparation for his ambitious swim underscores the importance of dedication and perseverance in pursuing one’s passions and goals.

Overcoming Self-Doubt: Jason’s initial hesitations and self-doubt as he restarts his swimming journey after a long hiatus resonate with the theme of overcoming self-limiting beliefs and embracing the possibilities that lie beyond perceived limitations.

Finding Balance

Jason talks about his roles as an entrepreneur, husband, and father and juggling those with his intense training regimen and trying to stay focused while also aware of what’s really important.

Mental Health

We talk about how swimming is a calming activity for Jason, how it helps him with his mental health and how he’s trying to raise awareness to support mental health and dementia research with his swim in honour of his grandfather and friend.

Mental toughness and mindset

Jason’s mindset plays a crucial role in his ability to overcome obstacles during the swim. He emphasizes the importance of setting realistic goals, focusing on smaller milestones, and maintaining a confident attitude. He also talks about the fine balance between confidence and acknowledging the risks involved, highlighting the need for mental toughness to overcome the more difficult moments (and difficult they are! His story is incredible).

Physical and mental fatigue

I can hear Jason’s voice in my head when I do any physical activity. He talks a lot about the physical and mental fatigue that comes with this type of endurance exercise. I’m thinking of how you can have so much more in you than you realize.