Remarkable Lives Series: Andy Donaldson

Reflecting on a hugely inspiring evening event with Ultra Marathon Swimmer Andy Donaldson, we have captured the key insights and themes from another superb Remarkable Lives event.

We are extremely grateful to have been asked to co-host the evening with Pinsent Masons and were pleased to invite and introduce a vibrant guestlist of Chairs, NXDs, Business Leaders, and Advisors who all became as encapsulated as us in Andy’s incredible story and lessons on resilience, teamwork, mental health, meticulous planning, and unrelenting ambition.

Our guests enjoyed tremendous hospitality from Graeme Stapleton, Walter Clark, Brooke Lemon, Gemma Feeley and the whole team at Pinsents and we look forward to planning the next one with our reflections and insight from the evening shared below in the meantime…

Who is Andy Donaldson?

Andy Donaldson is an ultra-marathon swimmer who has achieved global recognition for completing the Oceans Seven Challenge in record time as well as a number of other incredible ultra-marathon length swims.

Some highlights of his achievements include:

• World record Manhattan Island Swim (5 hours 41 minutes).
• A world record for the Cook Strait crossing in New Zealand (4 hours, 33 minutes).
• British records for the English Channel (8 hours) and the Catalina Channel (9 hours, 22 minutes).
• An exceptional effort in the Strait of Gibraltar, completing it in under 3 hours.

Beyond records, Andy has leveraged his platform to raise awareness about mental health, supporting many mental health charities and initiatives in Australia, the UK and elsewhere globally where his swims have taken him.

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Andy Donaldson and the Oceans Seven Challenge

Andy Donaldson has etched his name into the annals of open-water swimming by completing the Oceans Seven, a series of seven gruelling open-water channel swims across the globe. Modelled after the Seven Summits in mountaineering, this challenge is among the most demanding feats in sports. This formidable task involves seven of the most challenging open-water swims worldwide, often likened to the Seven Summits of mountaineering. Andy not only became the fastest individual to complete this challenge (355 days) but also holds the record for the fastest cumulative time across these swims, totalling just 63 hours and 2 minutes. To date, only 24 individuals have completed it, with Andy achieving the fastest overall time and finishing all seven swims in record time.

The Oceans Seven swims include:

1. English Channel (England-France, 33km) – Completed in 8 hours, setting a British record.
2. North Channel (Ireland-Scotland, 34.5km) – Completed in 9 hours, 13 minutes, known for its frigid waters and treacherous jellyfish blooms.
3. Cook Strait (New Zealand, 22km) – Finished in a world record time of 4 hours, 33 minutes.
4. Molokai Channel (Hawaii, 43km) – A challenging 15-hour, 52-minute swim through shark-populated waters.
5. Strait of Gibraltar (Spain-Morocco, 14.5km) – Completed in just under 3 hours, setting another British record.
6. Catalina Channel (USA, 32km) – Swam in 9 hours, 22 minutes, facing swells and currents.
7. Tsugaru Strait (Japan, 19.5km) – The final, most gruelling swim, completed in 13 hours, 4 minutes amidst fierce currents and exhaustion.

Triumphs and Challenges: A Journey of Resilience

Andy’s accomplishments are monumental, but his journey was fraught with challenges that tested his physical limits and mental fortitude. His experiences offer profound lessons in overcoming adversity:

Dangers Faced Along the Way

• Dehydration and Sunstroke: Spending hours in open water under harsh sunlight led to severe dehydration, especially in warmer straits like the Cook and Molokai Channels. Andy required hospitalization after his Tsugaru Strait swim due to these conditions.
• Burnout and Exhaustion: Completing seven major swims in under a year took an immense toll. The short recovery periods between swims made it difficult to regain energy, with cumulative fatigue affecting his performance in later swims.
• Marine Life: Encounters with dangerous marine creatures, including sharks and jellyfish, posed additional threats. Andy was stung multiple times, and his safety teams had to remain vigilant, ready to pull him out of the water when risks, such as nearby sharks, escalated – however when others would have given in, Andy gave his all.
• Unpredictable Currents: Powerful currents, especially in the North Channel and Tsugaru Strait, extended swim times and drained his stamina. Despite careful planning, nature’s unpredictability often dictated terms, elongating journeys and making Andy’s achievements even more incredible and even baffling.

Resilience and Teamwork

Andy’s journey highlighted the importance of resilience and support. His ability to persevere was not just a personal triumph but a collective achievement made possible by his team. Navigators, safety crews, and fellow swimmers provided essential support, underscoring the mantra: To go fast, go alone; to go far, go together.

Lessons for High-Performing Teams

Andy’s journey parallels the challenges faced by leaders and teams in high-pressure environments. His meticulous planning, adaptability, and mental toughness offer valuable insights for business leaders:

• Preparation: Success requires meticulous planning, from logistical coordination to mental readiness.
• Collaboration: Leveraging a team’s strengths can help overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges.
• Adaptability: Unexpected obstacles require calm, focused decision-making.

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Mental Health and Advocacy

One of the most compelling aspects of Andy’s story is his advocacy for mental health. Through his swims, he raised funds and awareness for organisations like the Black Dog Institute. Andy has also developed a mental health toolkit, emphasizing:

• Recognising when to ask for help.
• Building a supportive network.
• Focusing on incremental progress during challenging times
• Learning about yourself, knowing yourself and believing in yourself and your team.

Closing Thoughts

In an event that was jammed to the rafters, and standing room only, Pinsent’s Graeme Stapleton expertly led us through an inspiring, lively, humorous and humble fireside chat with Andy through his career, showing us that the Oceans Seven challenge was a testament to the power of resilience, teamwork, and unrelenting ambition. His experiences serves as a powerful reminder of what can be achieved through determination, preparation, and a commitment to a greater purpose. For leaders and teams alike, his story offers lessons that are as applicable in the boardroom as they are in open water.

To hear more from Andy, to book him to speak with your organisation or teams or to discuss sponsorship opportunities with Andy and those infamous record breaking speedos please contact him on Instagram at @Andy.Swimming or on Andrew.Donaldson@outlook.com.

Finally a huge thank you to all of the team at Pinsents, particularly Gemma and Brooke, for all their organisation and hospitality and we look forward to working with them again to bring you similar events in the future.

For more information on FWB’s events programme, please contact events@fwbltd.com