The Journey of Anna Aleksandrova
In life, we often find solace and strength in the most unexpected places. For Anna, swimming became her lifeline during what she describes as the most challenging year of her life.
In a candid and heartfelt conversation, Anna shares her journey from childhood reluctance to swimming, to finding healing and resilience in the water.**This content contains conversation surrounding depression and suicide. Viewer discretion is advised.
Watch our exclusive interview with MySwimPro Member, Anna. This was filmed in November 2023, at the MySwimPro Swim Camp in the Canary Islands, Spain.
Anna was born in Latvia, and has been living in London for over 15 years. She discovered swimming at a pivotal moment in her youth.
Despite initial resistance, she was thrown into the Black Sea at the age of nine, a moment that marked the beginning of her love affair with swimming.
However, it wasn’t until her teenage years that she fully embraced the sport, seeking something more exciting than traditional sports like volleyball or tennis.
Throughout her different phases of life, Anna has always ensured that swimming remains a constant in her weekly priorities. Even during financially challenging times, she prioritized swimming, emphasizing its significance in her life, even over basic necessities.
But it wasn’t until tragedy struck that Anna truly understood the transformative power of swimming.
Just over a year ago, Anna lost her beloved husband, followed by the passing of her mother a few months later. Overnight, her life transformed from one of joy and accomplishment, to one filled with unimaginable grief and despair.
In the depths of her sorrow, Anna turned to her swim coach and the familiar embrace of the swimming pool.
She returned to the water just days after her husband’s passing, feeling the weight of her sorrow lift with each stroke. Swimming became her sanctuary, her refuge amidst the storm of her emotions.
Anna’s story is not just one of survival, but of resilience and growth. In the face of unspeakable loss, she found solace and purpose in setting goals, signing up for triathlons and swimming races, channeling her grief into determination and discipline.
Through swimming, she not only preserved her sanity but emerged stronger, and more resilient than before.
For Anna, swimming is a source of healing, empowerment, and freedom. It’s a space where she finds weightlessness, where every stroke signifies inner peace.
It’s a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there’s light to be found, and strength to be gained.
Anna’s journey serves as a testament to the profound impact of swimming on mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the answers we seek lie not in running from our pain but in diving deep into the waters of our souls. This is where the healing begins.
As Anna continues her journey, she inspires others to find their own sanctuary, whether it be in the water or elsewhere.
Her resilience and unwavering spirit remind us that even in our darkest moments, there’s hope to be found, and strength to rise above.
In the end, Anna’s story is not just about swimming—it’s about the power of the human spirit to overcome, to endure, and to thrive, even in the face of life’s greatest challenges.
We are so proud of Anna and appreciate her sharing her story with us! Anna joined us in Spain at the November 2023 Canary Islands MySwimPro Swim Camp.
We had a great time training together, sharing meals, and becoming friends over the week.
To join us at our next MySwimPro Swim Camp, click here. To start your personalized swim Training Plan in the MySwimPro, start a free 7-day trial of our Coach Subscription!
