Marie Smith | Profile

Profile

Join date: Jun 18, 2024

About

Hi, I’m Marie, a mother, wife, and someone who is endlessly passionate about adventure, animals, and helping others find their confidence outdoors.

For years, I dreamed of taking part in a triathlon, but open water absolutely terrified me. Eventually, I reached a point where I didn’t want fear to make my decisions anymore. Safety was my biggest concern, running and cycling have their risks, but water felt like a completely different level.

So I committed to learning everything I could. I trained and qualified as a Swim Teacher, Open Water Swimming Coach, and Beach Lifeguard (NVBLQ). Gaining those skills gave me the confidence I needed to finally step into triathlons… and I haven’t looked back.

I’ve now competed in several triathlons, including Bolton Ironman, and my next big challenge is swimming the English Channel in a relay team in June 2026. I’m equal parts nervous and excited, but I know that preparation, training, and consistency are everything.

Becoming part of the open water community has been life-changing. I’ve made so many friends, some for life and I’ve found people to be incredibly supportive, generous, and welcoming.

My mental health has improved massively too. I truly believe it’s the combination of connection, community, nature, and being outdoors that makes open water so powerful.

Here’s to the beginning of your open water journey. If you ever have a question or need support, I’m right here.

Stay wild, stay free.

Posts (7)

May 8, 2026 ∙ 2 min

You’re Not Broken: The Truth Behind Anxiety and Overwhelm

Many people I work with say the same thing: “I don’t understand why I feel like this. Nothing is even wrong, but my mind won’t settle.” Anxiety and overwhelm can feel confusing, frustrating, and sometimes frightening. You might find yourself stuck in cycles of overthinking, tension, or emotional shutdown, even when life looks “fine” on the outside. And when you can’t explain it, it’s easy to assume something is wrong with you. But here’s the truth: you’re not broken. Your mind is trying to...

Apr 12, 2026 ∙ 3 min

How self‑sabotage is often a form of protection

Many of us know the feeling of wanting something deeply, more confidence, more calm, healthier habits, better boundaries, and yet somehow doing the exact opposite. Most of us don’t sabotage because we don’t care; we sabotage because we care so much it feels safer not to try. Clients often tell me, “I don’t understand why I keep doing this,” or “I know what I should do, so why can’t I just do it?” And I understand that feeling personally, too. It’s painful when it seems like you are the one...

Feb 16, 2026 ∙ 4 min

Performance Visualisation for Athletes: Why I’ve Used It Since I Was 15 And Why It Matters for Channel Swimmers

Performance visualisation, also known as mental rehearsal or imagery is one of the most powerful tools an athlete can use. It’s widely used across elite sport, with studies showing that around 70–90% of Olympians incorporate visualisation into their training. For me, it’s been a core part of my life since I was 15 years old. I was first introduced to visualisation in 1996 as part of the junior GB Development Squad for sprint and marathon kayaking. A sports psychologist guided us through a...