In Conversation with Diana Nyad

Diana Nyad’s extraordinary life story has recently captivated global audiences through the Netflix film NYAD, based on her bestselling memoir Find a Way. The film, featuring performances by Annette Bening and Jodie Foster, has brought renewed attention to Nyad’s groundbreaking accomplishments and indomitable spirit.

On September 2, 2013, at the age of 64, Nyad made history as the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without the aid of a shark cage, completing the 110.86-mile journey from Havana to Key West in 53 hours. This monumental feat solidified her legacy as one of the world’s greatest endurance athletes. Earlier in her career, Nyad became a long-distance swimming legend with her record-breaking swim around Manhattan Island in the 1970s.

Following her swimming career, Nyad enjoyed success as a sports broadcaster and journalist, delivering compelling stories for National Public Radio (NPR), ABC’s Wide World of Sports, and more. She has authored four books and co-founded EverWalk, a movement promoting fitness and healthy living. Known for her powerful, inspirational storytelling, Nyad is a celebrated public speaker who inspires audiences worldwide to dream big and push past their limits.

In 2019, Nyad took her storytelling to the stage, performing her off-Broadway show The Swimmer at the Minetta Lane Theatre in New York City. Her incredible journey, both in the water and in life, continues to inspire millions across the globe.