Comments on: The Defining Event of My Life

By: David Blitstein

David Blitstein — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 23:08:00 +0000

Hi Terry . Wishing you the best and for a full and speedy recovery

By: Achievement | Mediterra - Total Immersion Open Water Swimming Specialist

Achievement | Mediterra - Total Immersion Open Water Swimming Specialist — Sat, 04 Jun 2016 15:00:49 +0000

[…] through cancer treatment for the last few months (you may read Terry’s thoughts on the topic here). In gratitude for the impact that TI has made upon his life one of our TI Practitioners and writer […]

By: Jonathan Pardoe

Jonathan Pardoe — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 05:56:00 +0000

I have just discovered your TI method and a local instructor – thank you for developing this and sharing it with the world.
Please get and read a copy of “How not to die” by Dr.Michael Gregory. I guarantee that once you’ve read the introduction, you won’t be able to put it down and it should be very helpful in your recovery programme. I hope you get well again very soon. With very best wishes and thanks. Jonathan-Dubai

By: Seabeast

Seabeast — Sat, 19 Mar 2016 01:47:00 +0000

I’m sorry to hear about your diagnosis, Terry. Total Immersion has truly changed my life. When I first took up swimming in my early 40s, I could barely make it from one end of the pool to the other. By slogging away I could do more laps, but at the same slow plodding speed. I never thought that I could ever enter an open water race, but a few years after starting T.I. I did one.

By: Daniel Hope, III

Daniel Hope, III — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 22:02:00 +0000

Terry,

I found TI several years ago, or it found me, and it changed the way I swim. Like many others you have helped I have slowly accepted that in my 70s I cannot do some things as well as I once could. BUT, in my 40s or 50s the thought of swimming 100 meters, much less a mile, seemed an impossibility. When I was 69 a friend talked me into a 5K open water swim and I not only entered, I finished.

Now I swim regularly at a nearby university and often see students and older members of the community struggling to learn how to swim. When this happens I always suggest they try Total Immersion. I even keep a couple copies of your book in my locker and loan or give them to people.

When I had rotator cuff surgery last June your article on Swimming Faster and Pain Free motivated me to get back in the pool as soon as possible as part of my therapy. I now have full range of motion back and a meditative 2,000 yd swim is still part of my therapy.

Today I had my every 5 years colonoscopy and once the anesthesia wore off I decided to go through a backlog of e-mails. Your “Defining Event of My Life” post was among them. Thank you for your constant positive motivation, especially in times of uncertainty. I join all TI devotees you have helped over the years in wishing you a speedy recovery.

By: Therese O'Neill

Therese O'Neill — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 11:20:00 +0000

Deep bow to you Terry . Your writing has inspired me for years .’Opportunity in Adversity’ was especially encouraging. I am a 56 year old psychiatrist living in Halifax ,Canada who recommends mindfulness meditation and aerobic exercise ,preferably in nature to most of my patients.[I dabble in sprint triathlons ]. Jon Kabat -Zinn ,who has brought mindfulness to Western Medicine , in one of his guided meditations states ‘our limitations are not confining’. Wow-you so live this and inspire so many others. Dr Bernie Siegal wrote ‘Love , Medicine and Miracles’ all about the power of healing in ways that cannot be easily measured ,yet can be profound. Moving mindfully through the water, as you do so seamlessly ,is no doubt healing for body and soul. Sending well wishes your way and hope to meet you at a workhop or camp this year. Therese.

By: keith douglass

keith douglass — Wed, 16 Mar 2016 18:21:00 +0000

Hi Terry. I took your TI weekend class a long time ago and I continue to use your principles to do my sprint triathlons. I also have metastatic prostate cancer, and part of my treatment has been to strip all the testosterone from my body – NOT fun! However, I continue to train and participate in sprint tris, just not as fast as before (I think I may also be getting older: closing in on 74). I wanted to say to you and everybody listening that having cancer – my wife and I both – has been one of the best things that ever happened to us in terms of what it taught us about life and the friends and relatives we share our lives with. One piece of advice for you and everybody else listening: sit down and write out your feelings and thoughts about everybody who is important to you NOW – before you get in a situation where you might not be able to tell them. Designate someone who knows where that document is to share it with everyone when you die (you will, you know). I found that writing that statement gave me a sense of calm, relief, whatever you might call it, like nothing else I have done. If I may be a little sexist, I think this is especially important for males who are often not good about telling people how they feel (except grandchildren – they are very easy to tell how much you love them).
Thanks for sharing your experience with us. I wish you a long, active life.

By: Jonothan Abbott

Jonothan Abbott — Wed, 16 Mar 2016 10:27:00 +0000

A very inspiring post! So sorry to hear about your diagnosis, Terry. Sarah and I wish you all the best.

By: Julie Wolpers

Julie Wolpers — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 15:20:00 +0000

Thank you so much for your beautiful post and inspiration, Terry. And thank you for the gift of Total Immersion swimming. God speed for your healing and many more happy laps to come!

By: Crazy Canuck

Crazy Canuck — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 03:22:00 +0000

Love you man! Love your attitude, your style (in and out of the pool), and your wisdom. You’ll make it. Before reading your post, I’d been thinking of planning a vacation around one of your open water swimming camps somewhere warm and sunny, so don’t disappoint, eh!

Crazy Canuck