When I tell people I swim, they're always like, "Oh wow! That is so good for you." But they don't understand, I'm not fast or a strong swimmer or anything. It's

When I tell people I swim, they're always like, "Oh wow! That is so good for you." But they don't understand, I'm not fast or a strong swimmer or anything. It's cold, I struggle with my form, I'm slow, I can't kick turn, I'm constantly gasping for breath. Swimming is getting in the pool and convincing my lizard brain that I'm drowning for an hour. But when I get out the endorphins are fantastic, like every cell of my body is so relieved to be alive. At same time, the struggle to overcome that lizard brain response to hard physical work is itself enjoyable in a way. It wasn't when I started working out but after years it has become an acquired taste. If you'll forgive a little hyperbole, it's the moment when I look my own mortality in eye and say, "you might win eventually, but not today."